The Hilliard Martial Arts Center is fortunate to have many talented instructors.
- Master/Sensei Dan McConnell
With over 30 years of martial arts experience and as the HMAC’s founder and chief instructor in both Aikido and Modern Arnis, Dan McConnell brings a wealth of knowledge to his students. He advocates the blending of martial arts and adapting techniques to work for the individual and the situation. He is a Lakan Lima (5th degree black belt) NSI/Modern Arnis; Sandan (3rd dan), Aikido; Full Instructor Level 2 in Renegade Jeet Kune Do. His background also includes training in Tae Kwan Do, Bando/Jeet Kune Do, Pencak Silat Mande Muda, Marcial Tirada Kali, and Iaido. Learn more…
- Aikido
- Shihan Frank Hreha
- Rokudan (6th Dan), Aikido, Instructor Emeritus
- Doug Peelle
- Yondan (4th Dan), Aikido
- Tim Shock
- Shodan (1st Dan), Aikido
- Bill Reed
- Shodan (1st Dan), Aikido
- Modern Arnis
- Steve Hartono
- Lakan Isa (First Degree Black Belt), Modern Arnis
- Brett Barton
- Likah Tatlo (Third Brown), Modern Arnis
- Chris Bender
- Bad-ass, Modern Arnis
- Instructor Bios
- Brett Barton
Brett began his Modern Arnis training in 2004 under Guro Dan McConnell. He is currently ranked Likah Tatlo (Third Brown Belt) in Modern Arnis and is a Trainer Level One in Renegade Jeet Kune Do. He enjoys Arnis for its practicality and equal weapons and empty-handed practice. Brett was also an avid fencer for several years.- Chris Bender
Chris is an experienced martial artist and tournament fighter. He holds the rank of 3rd Dan in Tae Kwon Do, an art in which he instructs and competes. He has studied Modern Arnis under Guro McConnell since 2001.- Steve Hartono
Steve joined Modern Arnis of Ohio in August of 2001, a decision he says has been one of the best he has ever made. He came into Modern Arnis with a few years of Kyokushinkai Karate in Indonesia, as well as some Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, and lately some Tai Chi.- Frank Hreha Sensei
Frank Hreha sensei is an Instructor Emeritus, having studied Aikido for over 40 years and founded the Columbus Aikikai in 1990. He was awarded the rank of Rokudan in 1994. Learn more about Shihan Frank Hreha.- Doug Peelle
Doug was first exposed to Aikido 1982 and took the Aikido Physical Education course at Ohio State University for a few months. He took the art up again in 1986 when he joined the Cleveland Aikikai. After moving to Columbus in 1988, he joined the OSU club again under Frank Hreha, and followed Sensei Hreha to become among the first students of the Columbus Aikikai in 1989, where he has been ever since. He was awarded the rank of Yondan in June 2006.- Bill Reed
Bill teaches Saturday morning adult aikido classes at the Columbus Aikikai and also teaches many of the youth Aikido classes. He has studied Aikido since 1992. When he moved to the Columbus area in 1993, he joined the Columbus Aikikai as a student of Shihan Frank Hreha. In the fall of 1995, Bill was given the opportunity to lead the teaching of the Aikido for Children class. Since that time he has begun an Advanced Aikido for Children class, an Aikido for Teens class, and weekly Aikido for Children classes at St. Joseph Montessori School, located in the Short North area of Columbus.- Tim Shock
(bio coming soon)
- Guest Instructors
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In addition, the HMAC often hosts martial arts camps and seminars featuring instructors in a variety of disciplines from across the country.