Dan McConnell
With over 49 years of martial arts experience and as the HMAC’s founder and chief instructor in both Aikido and United 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 Anim (6th degree black belt) NSI/Modern Arnis, Full Instructor Level 2 in Renegade Jeet Kune Do and a Godan (5th dan) in Aikido with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. His background also includes training in Tae Kwon Do, Bando/Jeet Kune Do, Pencak Silat Mande Muda, Marcial Tirada Kali, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, and Iaido. Master McConnell has learned to appreciate the beauty and effectiveness of all martial arts. He strongly believes in cross training so that a student can become familiar with more than one way of moving and more than one approach, to enable the student to see the connection between different styles and systems. Master McConnell has been fortunate to have been trained by the founders of two systems and world class teachers in others. In December of 2013 Master McConnell was inducted into the Remy A. Presas Modern Arnis Black Belt Hall of Fame. In 2021 Mr. McConnell was certified and recognized as Grandmaster of United Modern Arnis by Natural Spirit International, Professor Kelly Worden, Professor Bob Anderson and Professor Leonard Trigg.
With over 49 years of martial arts experience and as the HMAC’s founder and chief instructor in both Aikido and United 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 Anim (6th degree black belt) NSI/Modern Arnis, Full Instructor Level 2 in Renegade Jeet Kune Do and a Godan (5th dan) in Aikido with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. His background also includes training in Tae Kwon Do, Bando/Jeet Kune Do, Pencak Silat Mande Muda, Marcial Tirada Kali, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, and Iaido. Master McConnell has learned to appreciate the beauty and effectiveness of all martial arts. He strongly believes in cross training so that a student can become familiar with more than one way of moving and more than one approach, to enable the student to see the connection between different styles and systems. Master McConnell has been fortunate to have been trained by the founders of two systems and world class teachers in others. In December of 2013 Master McConnell was inducted into the Remy A. Presas Modern Arnis Black Belt Hall of Fame. In 2021 Mr. McConnell was certified and recognized as Grandmaster of United Modern Arnis by Natural Spirit International, Professor Kelly Worden, Professor Bob Anderson and Professor Leonard Trigg.
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 Godan in January 2017.
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 Godan in January 2017.
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, and joined the Columbus Aikikai in 1993 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 then, he has begun Advanced Aikido for Children, Aikido for Teens, and weekly Aikido for Children classes at the Columbus St. Joseph Montessori School.
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, and joined the Columbus Aikikai in 1993 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 then, he has begun Advanced Aikido for Children, Aikido for Teens, and weekly Aikido for Children classes at the Columbus St. Joseph Montessori School.
Zach Villars
In Aikido, Zach has found an art that combines the best aspects of his previous martial arts research. Zach was awarded the rank of shodan, first degree black belt, in aikido in 2016 and enjoys the perspectives of the Yudansha focused under the guidance of Master Dan McConnell. In working directly with the children's Aikido class, Zach works to pass on the enthusiasm and confidence inherent in martial arts training that he gained as a youth learning Judo. Zach has previously attained Shodan rank in Judo and studied the Yang style Tai Chi, Chinese boxing and Tai Chi Push Hands.
In Aikido, Zach has found an art that combines the best aspects of his previous martial arts research. Zach was awarded the rank of shodan, first degree black belt, in aikido in 2016 and enjoys the perspectives of the Yudansha focused under the guidance of Master Dan McConnell. In working directly with the children's Aikido class, Zach works to pass on the enthusiasm and confidence inherent in martial arts training that he gained as a youth learning Judo. Zach has previously attained Shodan rank in Judo and studied the Yang style Tai Chi, Chinese boxing and Tai Chi Push Hands.
Brian Jones
Brian has trained in the Martial Arts for over thirty years. He holds a 3rd degree black belt in American Kenpo, and first degree black belts in Shotokan and Tae Kwon Do. He began training at HMAC under Master Dan McConnell in 2006 and currently holds the rank of Lakan Lima (fifth degree Black Belt) in United Modern Arnis.
Brian has trained in the Martial Arts for over thirty years. He holds a 3rd degree black belt in American Kenpo, and first degree black belts in Shotokan and Tae Kwon Do. He began training at HMAC under Master Dan McConnell in 2006 and currently holds the rank of Lakan Lima (fifth degree Black Belt) in United Modern Arnis.
Josh Comston
Prior to joining the HMAC Josh trained in Haganah, an Israeli martial art as well as in Mixed Martial Arts. Josh started training in United Modern Arnis under Master Dan McConnell in 2006. He is currently ranked Lakan Lima (fifth Degree Black Belt) in United Modern Arnis and Trainer Level I in Renegade Jeet Kune Do with Datu Kelly Worden’s NSI. Josh also holds the rank of nikkyu in Aikido.
Prior to joining the HMAC Josh trained in Haganah, an Israeli martial art as well as in Mixed Martial Arts. Josh started training in United Modern Arnis under Master Dan McConnell in 2006. He is currently ranked Lakan Lima (fifth Degree Black Belt) in United Modern Arnis and Trainer Level I in Renegade Jeet Kune Do with Datu Kelly Worden’s NSI. Josh also holds the rank of nikkyu in Aikido.
Greg Gregoriades
Greg Gregoriades has been studying Modern Arnis under Master Dan McConnell since 2011, and has a background in Tae Kwon Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Outside the dojo, Greg is a mechanical engineer at a local research organization. He enjoys windsurfing, scuba, tinkering with old motorcycles and traveling abroad with his wife.
Greg Gregoriades has been studying Modern Arnis under Master Dan McConnell since 2011, and has a background in Tae Kwon Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Outside the dojo, Greg is a mechanical engineer at a local research organization. He enjoys windsurfing, scuba, tinkering with old motorcycles and traveling abroad with his wife.
Steve Hartono
Texas Representative for United Modern Arnis
Steve teaches in Austin Texas. He has many years of martial arts experience. Steve has a background in Kyokushin Karate, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and has been training in United Modern Arnis for 26 years so far, and holds the rank of fifth degree black belt (Lakan Lima).
Texas Representative for United Modern Arnis
Steve teaches in Austin Texas. He has many years of martial arts experience. Steve has a background in Kyokushin Karate, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and has been training in United Modern Arnis for 26 years so far, and holds the rank of fifth degree black belt (Lakan Lima).
Craig Wilson
Craig sensei started studying koryu (traditional “old school” Japanese martial arts) in March 1997. In May 2002, he enrolled into Katori Shinto Ryu. In November 2012, he became a student of Tetsutaka Sugawara Sensei. In November 2019, he received his kyoshi menkyo, instructor's license, from Sugawara Sensei. He enjoys developing his swordsmanship through various principles which can be applied to techniques and movement, other weapons, and other martial arts. His focus within his training is partner safety, having fun, getting a great workout, growing a skillset, and making friends. Along with studying the sword, he began the study of Aikido in 1996. He became a student of Grand Master Dan McConnell, from 2006 to 2014, earning the rank of sandan in Aikido and a brown belt in Arnis. He also studies Aikido with Sugawara Sensei. His main focus is studying, training, and teaching KSR. Aside from training, Craig is an avid lacrosse fan and a former yearly indoor/outdoor club level player for almost two decades. Currently, if he is not training, then you can find him fishing, hiking, or kayaking. He would like to thank the following katorika for the many years of training: Sugawara Sensei, Francis sensei, Robert sensei, Sonnie sensei, Kohsei sensei, Marlon sensei, Tim-san, the Kyoshi around the states, and the world, and the many training partners - thank you.
Craig sensei started studying koryu (traditional “old school” Japanese martial arts) in March 1997. In May 2002, he enrolled into Katori Shinto Ryu. In November 2012, he became a student of Tetsutaka Sugawara Sensei. In November 2019, he received his kyoshi menkyo, instructor's license, from Sugawara Sensei. He enjoys developing his swordsmanship through various principles which can be applied to techniques and movement, other weapons, and other martial arts. His focus within his training is partner safety, having fun, getting a great workout, growing a skillset, and making friends. Along with studying the sword, he began the study of Aikido in 1996. He became a student of Grand Master Dan McConnell, from 2006 to 2014, earning the rank of sandan in Aikido and a brown belt in Arnis. He also studies Aikido with Sugawara Sensei. His main focus is studying, training, and teaching KSR. Aside from training, Craig is an avid lacrosse fan and a former yearly indoor/outdoor club level player for almost two decades. Currently, if he is not training, then you can find him fishing, hiking, or kayaking. He would like to thank the following katorika for the many years of training: Sugawara Sensei, Francis sensei, Robert sensei, Sonnie sensei, Kohsei sensei, Marlon sensei, Tim-san, the Kyoshi around the states, and the world, and the many training partners - thank you.