Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Wado Karate and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained a level of expertise in Wado Karate and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students, while they continue to further their own skills.

Brody Burns  (Sensei)  Sensei Burns started training in August of 1990 at the age of 18 while attending classes at Collin County Community College. He studied under Sensei Diana Worthen in Wado ryu karate at Worthen Karate Academy where he trained heavily while completing his college degree. In 1995, Sensei Burns graduated from college and returned to his hometown of Plano, where he continued to train under Sensei Worthen. January 1, 1996 Sensei Worthen retired from teaching karate and passed the dojo to Sensei Burns` long time friend, Sensei Darrin Free. Sensei Burns immediately became a partner in the ownership of the dojo and the dojo was renamed the Academy of Classical Karate-do. Sensei Burns was accepted as a student of the most senior Wado instructor in the world, Tatsuo Suzuki and joined the Wado International Karatedo Federation (WIKF). He has traveled to Japan, Spain, Portugal, Puerto Rico and across the US to train with Suzuki Sensei. In 2003 while visiting Japan, he was personally asked by Tatsuo Suzuki to organize and host the 2005 WIKF World Championships which was one of the largest and most successful championships held by the WIKF. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the USA branch of the Wado International Karatedo Federation (WIKF USA) and in 2008 was appointed by Tatsuo Suzuki as the Pan American Regional Director for WIKF. He currently holds a fourth degree black belt earned from Tatsuo Suzuki. Each year he hosts the Suzuki Cup tournament and training in Dallas, Texas in honor of his teacher. The event draws participants from across the Pan American Region and features a Team Kumite event that often draws members of national teams including US team members. The Suzuki Cup is one of the largest traditional karate tournaments in the US. He is the Head Coach of WIKF Texas, the competition team of the Academy of Classical Karate. Sensei Burns is proud of his team's track record and has coached several State and National Champions. He has helped members of his team qualify for the US National Karate Team and represent the United States in international competitions. He is a certified Coach, by USA Karate and has taken the US Team to international competitions in Europe. He currently coaches members of both the USA Senior Team and USA Junior Team at his dojo in Plano. Sensei Burns was a Police Officer for 12 years before becoming a Special Agent for the United States Postal Inspection Service. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice and is currently assigned to a Fraud Team responsible for investigating various high dollar fraud related crimes that occur throughout the country. In addition to his investigative duties, he was the Defensive Tactics Coordinator for the Police Department and was responsible for training fellow Officers in the proper use of force and control tactics. He is on the faculty at Collin County Community College where he has taught Self-Defense and Karate courses to hundreds of students. Sensei Burns is the Director of Tournament Operations for USA Karate (USA-NKF) and is responsible for the operations of major tournaments hosted by USA Karate. He has worked with the National Event Staff since 2006 to develop and improve major events such as the US Open and National Championships. He is currently the President of the Texas Sport Karate Federation which serves as state level representation of USA Karate and the avenue for Texas athletes to qualify for Nationals.

Darrin Free  (Sensei) Sensei Free started his karate training in August of 1989 at the age of 19 while attending classes at Collin County Community College. He studied under Sensei Diana Worthen in Wado Shinzen Kai Karate. Sensei Free joined Sensei Worthen’s karate academy and was extremely active, often training 6 six days a week. In the spring of 1994 Sensei Free earned his Black Belt in Wado Shinzen Kai. He was an active competitor competing in hundreds of tournaments. He has won numerous State Championship titles from both the Amateur Organization of Karate (AOK) and the Traditional Karate League (TKL). In 1996 he was selected by the United States National Karate Team to represent the US at the World Karate Championships in Florida. Sensei Free earned the United States a Silver Metal in kumite. January 1, 1995, Sensei Worthen retired from teaching karate and passed ownership of the dojo to Sensei Free. Sensei Free asked his close friend and fellow karate ka, Brody Burns to become a partner in the dojo and help in the running of the business. The dojo was subsequently renamed the Academy of Classical Karate-do and remains open today in Plano, Texas. Sensei Free began training under Sensei Worthen’s instructors, Shihan Tom Sergent and Shodai John Hawk out of Waco, Texas and was promoted to Nidan in 1997 and was award his Sensei title in 1998. In November of 2000, Sensei Free was promoted to Sandan by Shihan Sergent. On September 1, 2001, Sensei Free and the Academy of Classical Karate-do joined the Wado International Karate Federation (WIKF) under Suzuki Tatsuo Sensei. Sensei Free is the Vice President of the Southwestern Association of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and a member of the Board of Directors of the Traditional Karate League. He is a certified National Level Judge and has refereed at the AAU National Karate Championships. Sensei Free has an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from Collin County Community College and attended advance programming courses at the University of Texas at Dallas. He is currently the lead programmer for Willow Bend Communications in Dallas, Texas. Sensei Free married Shodan Lisa Ervin in 1999.

Dale Gatchalian  (Sensei)  Sensei Dale Gatchalian began training in karate on February 3, 1992 at the age of 12. He trained at Worthen Karate Academy under Sensei Diana Worthen in Wado Shinzen-Kai Karate-do. In January of 1996, Sensei Gatchalian began studying under Sensei Worthen's two senior students Sensei Darrin Free and Sensei Brody Burns at the same dojo, currently named the Academy of Classical Karate-do after she retired from teaching karate. In 1996, Sensei Gatchalian passed his initial shodan compulsory examination phase on his first attempt, an accomplishment only seen once prior to his exam, and after four years and eight months of training, he earned his shodan rank on November 9, 1996. In 1998, Sensei Gatchalian won a Gold Medal in Kata at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Championships in Orlando, Florida and became a National Champion and an AAU All-American.. In 2001, Sensei Gatchalian began practicing karate-do under Suzuki Tatsuo Sensei and joined the Wado International Karatedo Federation (Wado Kokusai Karatedo Renmei). Sensei Gatchalian had the great honor of being Suzuki Sensei's uke in a Tanto-dori demonstration at the 1st Annual Suzuki Cup in Plano, TX, USA. Sensei Gatchalian is currently an Instructor and Assistant Coach at the Academy of Classical Karate-do. He is currently certified under the American Sports Education Program (ASEP) and a certified AAU coach and official. He has competed and medaled several times in a number of AAU and USA-NKF National Championships and the AAU Junior Olympics. He has also won Association and Regional Champion in the AAU, State Champion in the USA-NKF, and Texas State Champion in the Traditional Karate League many times since 1992. A proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2002 (WHOOP!), Sensei Gatchalian graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University in College Station in May of 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in rhetoric, minors in Psychology and Political Science, and a Professional Writing Certificate. He also earned the honor of graduating as a University Undergraduate Research Fellow, the highest honor at Texas A&M University, conducting research into the factors affecting the performance of medical students. Sensei Gatchalian is currently a Medical Student (Student Doctor) of the Class of 2007 at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth and is pursuing his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). He hopes to earn a teaching fellowship in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (moving his graduation date to 2008) where he would earn a Master of Science in Clinical Education and Research and valuable experience in teaching, clinical skills, and research. Upon graduation, Sensei Gatchalian anticipates entering a residency in the Dallas-Fort Woth (DFW) Metroplex of Texas in Family Practice and also pursuing fellowships in Sports Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Sensei Gatchalian hopes to be a practicing family physician in the DFW area, and after several years as a practicing physician, Sensei Gatchalian also hopes to return to academics to become a clinical professor and to teach future physicians the art and science of medicine and osteopathy.

Lisa Free  (Senpai) Senpai Free began her training in karate-do in August of 1992 at the age of 20 under the instruction of Sensei Diana Worthen at Collin County Community College in Plano, Texas. In January of 1993 she joined Worthen Karate Academy (WKA) to further her training in Wado Shinzen Kai karate-do. Senpai Free continued to train under Sensei Diana Worthen until January of 1996 when Sensei Worthen passed her school down to Sensei Darrin Free. At that time the school was renamed Academy of Classical Karate-do and Senpai Free began training under the instruction of Sensei Darrin Free and Sensei Brody Burns. In the fall of 1998, Shodai John Hawk and Shihan Tom Sergent, Founder and Chief Instructor of Wado Shinzen Kai respectively, promoted Senpai Free to black belt. In September of 2001 Senpai Free became a member of Wado International Karate Federation (WIKF) under the head instruction of Suzuki Tatsuo Sensei. In December of 2003 Suzuki Sensei promoted Senpai Free to 2nd Degree black belt (Senpai). Currently Senpai Free still trains under Sensei Free and Sensei Burns. She is a member of the instructor staff at the Academy of Classical Karate-do and is on staff at Collin County Community College where she teaches Self-defense, Karate, and Cardiokarate. Soon after beginning karate, Senpai Free became an avid competitor at the state level in the Traditional Karate League (TKL). Since 1993 she has won numerous TKL championships. In 2001 Senpai Free competed in two national level competitions for the first time since earning her black belt. At the 2001 AAU National Championship in New Orleans, LA she won two bronze medals in kumite in the kilo and open divisions. At the 2001 USA National Karate-do Federation National Championship and National Team Trials in Houston, TX she won a gold medal in the women’s open kata division and a silver medal in her kilo division in kumite, which earned her a seat on the United States National Team Pool. In the 2002 AAU National Championships she earned the silver medal in kumite in her kilo division, and the bronze medal in open and team kumite. In 1996 Senpai Free was accepted into the Physical Therapy program and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. In 1998 she graduated and began practicing as a Physical Therapist. Currently she practices physical therapy on a part-time basis.

Vincent Garcia  (Senpai) Senpai Vincent Garcia began training in karate on October 21, 1991 at the age 11. He trained at Worthen Karate Academy under Sensei Diana Worthen in Wado Shinzen-Kai Karate. In 1996, Sensei Diana Worthen retired and passed her school down to her two senior students, Darrin Free and Brody Burns. In 1998, Senpai Garcia earned his black belt along with Senpai Free, under Tom Seargent, the head instructor of the Wado-Shinzen Kai. In the AAU Junior Olympics in 1998, Senpai Garcia won a bronze medal in kata. In '99 AAU Nationals, Senpai Garcia earned a silver medal in kumite. Also in 1999, Senpai Garcia was invited to be on the Junior World team and compete in the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Senpai Garcia won a bronze medal in kata. Senpai Garcia taught the credited Karate, Self-defense, and kickboxing courses at Collin County Community College from 1999-2003. Since 2001, Senpai Garcia has been the Junior Program Director at the Academy of Classical Karate-do. In January 2009. Senpai Garcia became the Director of Instructor Development (a leadership program designed for up and coming leaders and instructors at the dojo). Senpai Garcia has had a diverse educational career which includes earning: Bachelors of Psychology – University of Texas at Dallas, 2003 Masters in Professional Counseling – Argosy University, Dallas, 2006 Masters in Education Administration – Texas A&M University, Commerce, 2010 And currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education Administration (Ed.D.), TX A&M Univ. Commerce with and expected graduation date in 2013. Since Fall of 2006 He has taught in Garland ISD as a Special Ed Behavior Adjustment teacher and is pursuing a career in Administration with a plan of serving as an Assistant Principal during his doctoral program with later endeavors to become a Director and Assistant Superintendent of a neighboring district. He currently is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a small private practice with a focus on professionals attempting to overcome short-term mental challenges, or obstacles in their life with a second emphasis on adolescents with shyness difficulties. He’s had experience working for 4 years at Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital and hopes it will help serve him with his private practice.

Matthew Matson  (Nidan)  Nidan Matthew Matson began training in karate in January of 1999 while taking classes at Collin County Community College. In 2004 he got a chance to train with Sensei Doug Jepperson, another WIKF Instructor in Utah for 6 months. Back in Texas in 2005 Matthew helped the WIKF USA team stay motivated and training hard for the WIKF World championships that year. Also in 2008 he competed as a member of the WIKF USA team at the World Championships in Portugal. Under the instruction of Sensei Darin Free and Sensei Brody Burns, Nidan Matson has competed in all levels of competition from Local, State, Regional, National, Pan American and World Championships. He has been a state and regional champion. Earning competitor of the year from the Academy of Classical Karate in 2005, and student of the year in 2002 and 2006. Finally achieving black belt after 7 years of training in 2006. In 2008 he received an official WIKF assistant instructor license from Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei. In 2009 Matthew received his 2nd degree black belt (Nidan) Nidan Matson is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine in Optimum Performance Training, Sports Fitness Specialist, Integrated Flexibility Specialist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, and has a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management: Health and Wellness and a Masters Degree in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention, from California University of Pennsylvania. He also has certifications from the Cooper Institute in Bio-Mechanics, the National Federation of Personal Trainers, and the National Academy of Speed and Explosion. He is the team trainer, and floor coach for WIKF Texas competition team, a USANKF Certified Coach, Manager of Satellite programs at the Academy of Classical Karate, and Associate Faculty at Collin County Community College in Plano Texas. "Updated 12-21-2009" - Matthew Matson

Tom Scott  (Nidan)  Education o Texas Christian University (TCU), Class of 2012 Ft. Worth, TX Extra Curricular Activities o Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – TCU Awards/Honors o TCU Scholar o TCU Scholarship o TCU Dean’s Honor List o National Honor Society Training o 1998 began training at the Academy of Classical Karate – Plano,TX o 8 years old Rank o 2006 earned Black Belt o 2009 earned 2nd degree Black Belt Member USA National Karate Team o 2004 Jr. PKF Championships – Santiago, Chile o 2006 WKC Goodwill Games – Tokyo, Japan o 2006 Jr. PKF Championships – Curacao, Netherlands Antilles o 2006 WKC Jr. World Championships – Hanover, Germany o 2007 Jr. PKF Championships – Quito, Ecuador o 2007 Jr. WKF World Championships – Istanbul, Turkey o 2008 WKF World Championships – Tokyo, Japan o 2009 North American Cup – Las Vegas, Nevada, USA o 2009 Sr. PKF Championships – Curacao, Netherlands Antilles o 2010 North American Cup – Ixtapa, Mexico o 2010 Sr. PKF Championships – Quito, Ecuador National Level Championships o 8-Time AAU National Champion o 2005 Gold Medalist USA-NKF Jr. Olympics – Stockton, CA o 2006 Gold Medalist USA Team Trials – Fort Lauderdale, FL o 2007 Gold Medalist USA-NKF National Championships - Charleston, WV o 2008 Bronze Medalist USA-NKF National Championships – Houston, TX o 2009 Gold Medalist USA Team Trials – Chicago, IL o 2009 Gold Medalist USA-NKF National Championships- Fort Lauderdale, FL o 2010 Gold Medalist USA University Team Trials – Las Vegas, NV International Level Championships o 2004 Gold Medalist Wado Pan American Championships – San Juan, Puerto Rico o 2005 Gold Medalist Wado World Championships – Dallas, Texas, USA o 2006 Gold Medalist WKC World Championships – Hanover, Germany o 2006 Bronze Medalist Jr. PKF Championships – Curacao, Netherlands Antilles o 2007 Gold Medalist USA Open– Las Vegas, NV o 2007 Silver Medalist Jr. PKF Championships – Quito, Ecuador o 2008 Gold Medalist Wado World Championships – Braga, Portugal o 2009 Silver Medalist USA Open – Las Vegas, NV o 2009 Gold Medalist North American Cup – Las Vegas, NV, USA o 2009 Bronze Medalist Sr. PKF Championships – Curacao, Netherlands Antilles o 2010 Gold Medalist North American Championships – Ixtapa, Mexico o 2010 Bronze Medalist USA Open – Las Vegas, NV Championship Titles o AAU National Champion (x8) o USA-NKF National Champion (x3) o USA Open Champion o North American Cup Champion (x2) o WKC Jr. World Champion o Wado Jr. World Champion o Wado Sr. World Champion

June Acheson  (Shodan)  June Acheson has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Michael Park  (Sensei) Park, sensei earned his first black belt in 1969 and now holds black belts in six different martial arts including an 8th degree in Kempo Karate and Kobu Shin-Ryu Jujutsu, 7th degree in Juko-Kai Aiki-Budo and 4th degree in International Aikido. Sensei Park has been teaching in Plano since 1974. Michael served as a combat arms staff sergeant (E-6) during the Vietnam-era (1967-70) as a tank platoon leader. During the late 1960's and early 1970's before "protective equipment" was introduced, Michael Park competed in a few American open karate tournaments mostly on the east coast. His on-call position and duties as a Washington D.C. police officer at the time prevented him from traveling too far from the Washington area. In 1974 Michael Park was recruited by the United States Marshals Service and was able to return to his native Texas stationed in the Dallas field office. He served as a fugitive investigations supervisor for a number of years and even presented one of his cases on America's Most Wanted T.V. program. He was known as a relentless "man hunter" and was often commended by judges and officials for apprehending armed and violent felons with just his martial art skills. His career professional expertise within the Department of Justice led to a several year assignment as a special agent (Inspector) within the semi-covert Federal Witness Protection Program. For several years Michael studied the Korean royal court martial art of Kuk Sool Won, a comprehensive form of Hapkido often described as a type of Korean style "Kung Fu". He received his 2nd Degree from Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh, the Korea national teacher, and trained under Jay Lee, a senior American Kuk Sool master. Over the years he continued broadening his skills and eventually earned a menkyo kyoshi (master teaching license) in an American based Yoshin-Ryu influenced Jujutsu system. He was cross-trained to 8th degree in Okinawa Iron Fist Kempo Karate. Following this, he began an intensive study of aikido as a personal student of Bill Sosa sensei, the founder and chief instructor of the International Aikido Association. He now holds a 4th degree in aikido awarded by Lynn Fabia sensei of the Society of Aikido Centers. His throwing arts training included several additional seminars in aiki-jujutsu, aikido, and hapkido under John Damian sensei of Imua Ki Aikido, Don Angier, the soke of Yanagi-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, Rod Kobayashi the founder of Seidokan Aikido, In Hyuk Suh of Korean Kuk Sool Won, and Jae Ok Myung of International Hae Jun Moo Sool Hapkido. In 2000 Professor Park was inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame. The Aiki-Budo organization he founded is called "Aikido Schools of America®." Professor Park opened the first martial art school in Plano, Texas in 1974 and it has been in continuous operation since that time. Now that he retired as a federal agent, Michael Park transitioned to a successful second career as a small business owner and entrepreneur. He also teaches regular adult only classes in Aiki-Budo in Plano, Texas.

Yudansha (Black Belts)

For more information about the Academy of Classical Karate staff or training programs, please contact us at 972-424-8870 or by clicking here.