Instructors

Master Steve Bartley

• 5th Dan World Taekwondo Federation Black Belt
• 1st Dan Ketto Ryu Jujitsu Black Belt
• Purple Belt in Brazilian JuiJitsu, received from Henrique Stefani
• Certified International F.A.S.T. Defense™ Association Instructor
• NCCP Level 2 Coach
• Kettlebell Instructor
• 2008-2009 Alberta Taekwondo Coaching Director
• Proud Father and Husband
• 24 years Taekwondo Experience
• 19 years teaching

Master Bartley started Taekwondo in 1985 with Kee's Taekwondo, moved to Edmonton in 1989 and started training with Master Sung Lee. Master Bartley has had his own school now for 13 years and it is growing larger and stronger yearly.

Quote from Master Bartley: " There is no "I Can't" in our school. Anything can be done with the proper effort, guidance and of course time."

Instructor Azra Tufek

Azra’s friendly smile and attitude is the first thing you notice about her, the second thing would be how hard she works out. She is an inspiration to all of us and a great role model for our children.

Azra Ma'am loves to compete in the sparring component of Taekwondo. Azra placed 2nd in the 2007 Jr nationals and third at the 2008 Commonwealth games. So she is a seasoned competitor with a strong ambition to be an Olympian. She also loves teaching her Lil' Dragons program which is for children four to six years of age. Arza "ma’am" is also a Kettlebell Instructor.

Azra Ma'am, goals are to continue with the Lil' Dragons and work on achieving her third Dan Black Belt and making the Canadian Olympic Team while continuing her education.

Azra Ma'am is a 2nd Dan Black Belt, certified with the World Taekwondo Federation.

Instructor Darlene Morris

As a Certified Ground Combatives Instructor Darlene Ma'am aims to provide a welcoming and safe atmosphere for the instruction of ground fighting techniques for the purpose of self-defense. She very clearly enjoys sharing her knowledge of leverage-based techniques to defeat larger opponents with ease and strives to do so in a friendly and energetic manner.

Darlene Ma'am is a member of our F.A.S.T. Defense (Fear Adrenal Stress Training)Instructor team where the focus is on standing techniques for the purpose of self-defense. Her goal is to leave students understanding "No one poses a threat to you without your consent."

A 1st Dan Black Belt as recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation, Darlene Ma'am is striving to improve upon her 2nd Dan requirements. Currently a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu White Belt under Rodrigo Resende, she enjoys the practise portion required to refine submission based techniques.

Instructor Rodigo Resende

I started training Judo when I was 5 years old with my father, Geraldo Resende. As soon as I started to get interested for competition, he took me to train with his master, sensei Takeshi Miura, who's 9th degree of black belt in Judo.

When I was 14 years old I also started taking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes to help me improve my Judo ground work. Ever since then, Jiu jitsu became part of my training routine as well.

In my city, at this time the relationship between most of the BJJ’s schools wasn’t really good. I never took sides of any BJJ teams back home, their goals wouldn't walk together with mine. I'd always focus first on learning. For that reason, I trained in many schools to avoid dealing with situations I was not willing to. Therefore, I would also learn as much as possible, being taught from diverted sources of knowledge.

I moved from Brasília to Salvador for a year and I also trained with the BJJ masters Edson Carvalho and Ricardo Carvalho. After that, I moved to São Paulo and Belo Horizonte for a couple of years in order to get in a training center for Judo athletes. I represented my State, my University and also my Country a couple of times before and after I get back home.

My first contact with Companhia Paulista BJJ Team was with Master Carlos "Português", in Brasília. He's always had open arms with anybody who really wanted to train. He's got awesome skills in BJJ, and is also an amazing person. "Good blooded", like we would say in Brazil. After that with Edgard Luck, also BJJ Black Belt under Master Milton Maximiliano (one of the Cia Paulista Masters), who invited me to be part of the team.

Today I am proud to be a 3rd degree Judo Black Belt and 2nd degree BJJ Black Belt, under master Maxiniliano, and being the leader of Companhia Paulista Canada Team in Edmonton, Alberta.

Instructor Ron Prokuda

Ron"Sir" is friendly, encouraging and an all around fun person. Ron" Sir" also teaches our Lil’ Dragons

Program. Ron "Sir" used to be a children’s entertainer and it shows in his hugely popular classes. You know its Ron "Sirs" classes when you seen the children all come out of class sweaty smiling and having a great time.

Ron "Sir" is currently a 1st Dan Black Belt working towards his 2nd Dan Black Belt.

Assistant Instructor Mitch Schultz

2nd Degree Black Belt: Mitch Schultz has shown great dedication to the sport and martial art of Taekwondo. He has competed at many tournaments and helps coach some of our club's younger members at these events. He has competed all over Canada and the United states, and placed 2nd in the Canadian Jr National Taekwondo Championships. Mitch "sir" is currently working hard to become a better instructor and coach for our children.

Assistant Instructor Tonya Olson

1st Degree Black Belt: Tonya "Ma’am" has an energetic, competitive spirit and positive attitude. Her two greatest passions are Taekwondo and teaching children. Tonya "Ma’am" loves helping children and it shows. She is always helping students work towards their goals and helping them overcome their challenges. Whether it is in the Dojang teaching taekwondo or in the waiting area helping students with their homework, she is determined to help students achieve their very best and reach their personal goals in Taekwondo and throughout their lives.