Instructors

Dan McConnell

With over 44 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 Yondan (4th dan) in Aikido with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. His background also includes training in Tae Kwan Do, Bando/Jeet Kune Do, Pencak Silat Mande Muda, Marcial Tirada 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.

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.

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.

Tim Shock

Tim began training in Aikido from 91-95 at the OU Aikido Club in Athens, Ohio and resumed his training in 2000 at HMAC. Tim currently holds the rank of Sandan and has greatly benefitted under the instruction of Sensei Larry Bieri, Shihan Frank Hreha, Sensei Dan McConnell, as well as the other instructors at HMAC. In addition to Aikido, Tim also trains in Modern Arnis and enjoys exploring the similarities of the two styles.

Julia Zummo

Julia Zummo has been practicing Aikido since 2012 and Modern Arnis since 2014. She currently holds the rank of shodan (first degree blackbelt) in Aikido and assists with children's classes.
Outside the dojo, Julia is an electrical engineer for a specialty chemical company.

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.

Joseph Zummo

Joe began training in aikido in 2007 at Oberlin Aikikai. Following that he spent two years training full time at Aikido of Berkeley before moving to Columbus in 2014 where he began training with Dan McConnell at the Columbus Aikikai. Joe's aikido classes usually feature a strong rolling/falling component, as well as a focus on the underlying body mechanics of aikido. Joe also studies Modern Arnis with Dan McConnell and Shindo Yoshin Ryu ju jutsu with Toby Threadgill. Outside the dojo he is a professional photographer.

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 Modern Arnis under Master Dan McConnell in 2006. He is currently ranked Lakan Tatlo (Third 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.

Steve Hartono
Texas Representative

Steve teaches at GKX 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 15 years so far, and holds the rank of fourth degree black belt (Lakan Apat).

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 tatlo (Third degree Black Belt) in United Modern Arnis.

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.