Sensei Heath Macaluso - Head Instructor  2nd Degree Black Belt

Sensei Heath Macaluso is the owner & head instructor of the Aikido School of Self Defense in Monticello, New York.  He was recently inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame for 20 years of Outstanding Dedication in the Martial Arts.

Sensei Macaluso has been training in the martial arts since 1984 as a young man. He received his Shodan (1st degree Black Belt) and Ni-Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) from Martial Arts Hall of Fame member, Sensei Robert MacEwen, Jr.   Mr. Macaluso has been teaching & training in the Middletown Dojo since 1995. His dedication to the art has been represented in the Seminars he has taught across the country, and more importantly from the hundreds of students he has affected in a positive way.

His love for Aikido comes from the realization that it is one of the few arts that can be applied to the conflicts of real life. "Aikido is a deep & philosophical art, which is why he refers to it as 'The last stop, on the Martial Artist's journey'."

A graduate from Wagner College with an Accounting Major/German Minor, Mr. Macaluso is multi-lingual with proficiencies in Spanish, German, & Italian, hoping to eliminate cultural barriers as much as possible within the dojo.

As a student of life, Sensei has a gift for recognizing the potential in his students, giving them the self-esteem they rightfully deserve.

Sensei Macaluso has instructed law enforcement personnel from State to Federal agencies as well as traveling the East Coast performing and speaking at Aikido seminars.

Sensei Joseph Macaluso, Ni-Dan

Sensei Joseph Macaluso began his training in 1996 under the direction of Robert MacEwen, Jr., in the Middletown, NY Dojo.  

 

Sensei Michael Perez, Sho Dan

Sensei Perez is a talented, versatile martial artist and is way beyond his years as an Instructor.  At 17 years of age and one of  Nihon Goshin Aikido's youngest promoted Black Belts, Mr. Perez teaches adults and children classes. 

Mr. Perez, proficient with the Nunchakus,  teaches Nunchaku classes to children and teens.

Mary Kay Mooney, Sho Dan

Sensei Mooney, "MK", is a talented martial artist who teaches in both kid and adult classes.  She began her training in 2004 and was recently promoted to Black Belt. 

Ms. Mooney is a nurse at the local hospital. 

(Photo coming) Nicholas Kehrley, Sho Dan

Sensei Kehrley started his training in 2006.  He teaches our Monday "Noon" class.  He is a student of his craft and has much to teach.