James Doan, sensei - Rokudan (6th degree black belt), owner
James first began teaching karate in 1981 for the East Kootenay Community College
and self-defence at Selkirk High School in Kimberley, BC.
Moving to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1983, James ran a successful karate school
and taught first-year Law Enforcement Defence at the Lethbridge Community College.
Moving to Victoria in 1988, James developed an assault
avoidance program for women called “Educated Defense”.
He has presented seminars to more than 1500 women,
and his clients have included the Office of the Premier (BC).
James
moved to Kamloops in 1995 with his wife, Laura, who is a "retired"
black belt and an
Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University. They have an adult daughter.
He is a strong supporter of local charities and created the Christmas Charity Kick A Thon,
which donated more than $100,000
to community services, and he donates his time to
teach karate and
self-defence at schools and community groups.
In 2008, the Academy received the Rotary Club's "Four-Way Test"
award for its contribution to the community.
James is a dedicated teacher with more than 40 years of experience.
He is a dynamic speaker, has a sixth-degree black belt (rokudan) in karate, and holds a post-secondary diploma in Psychology and Social Work.
He enjoys working out three days a week at a local gym, playing the
piano,
singing, reading, gardening, and home renovation projects.
western karate academy
Natalee Rempel - Nidan
Promotion to nidan (2nd-degree black belt) March 15th , 2020
First started training at the academy in June 2012
Years at the academy 10. Natalee has attended more than 800 classes.
In spite of being raised in a family culture that didn't approve of the
martial arts,
she developed an insatiable interest for it during the
teen years.
An already impressive understanding of karate has been
further augmented
through a study of anatomy, physiology, and
kinesiology.
Natalee
enjoys spending time with partner Lex, and also benefits
from it
greatly as they are a massage therapist.
There are many food
sensitivities in their home, so one hobby is finding
foods that are
nutritious, but also taste good.
She and Lex are the proud caretakers
of a dog and a cat.
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Caitlyn Neufeld - Shodan
Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) November 24th, 2020
First started training at the academy in September 2014
Years at the academy 8
Caitlyn started training eight years ago with the goal of earning a black belt.
She instructs 4 - 6 classes a week with more than 600 classes under her belt.
When she's not at the dojo, her time is divided between work, family, and
interests such as painting, music, and reading.
Caitlyn is a friendly, highly skilled, and dedicated instructor
who expects the best from her students.
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Marcus Marasco - Shodan
Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) April 23rd, 2016
First started training at the academy in October 2006
Years at the academy 12
Marcus started training at the academy at age eight. He received his shodan
after 10 years of hard work and now has more than 900 classes under his belt.
Although he took a four year hiatus after graduating from high school,
we are happy to have him back at the academy.
Marcus is a patient, personable instructor who enjoys helping his students improve.
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Dwight Burgher - Shodan
Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) November 24th, 2020
First started training at the academy June 2011
Years at the academy 11
Dwight started at the academy at the age of seven
and has been hard at work ever since.
Although he is the youngest instructor (and shodan) at the academy,
he has more than 800 classes under his belt.
Dwight has a passion for karate and for working on, and detailing, cars.
He is currently studying Police and Justice at TRU.
He enjoys morning runs, and also likes to get his hands dirty,
baking in his family’s kitchen.
Dwight has a great sense of humour and is an engaging instructor.
Western Karate Academy
Matt McKinlay - Black belt candidate
Promotion to brown belt (2nd kyu) June 10th, 2020
First started training at the academy in November 2017
Years at the academy 6
Six
years ago, Matt began to fulfill a lifetime goal of
training in karate
and has never looked back.
Joined by his youngest son, they have formed a
strong bond
by practicing together at home and at the dojo.
Matt has
now taken more than 450 classes.
Matt
has been married for 20 years and has three children.
He enjoys
learning while he teaches and is quick with a laugh (and kicks like a
mule).
Although he has many interests, the dojo is a place of serenity for him
a great getaway from a chaotic world.
western karate academy
DeNara Levin - Shodan
Promotion to shodan (1st-degree black belt) April 11th, 2015
First started training at the academy in May 2008
Years at the academy 14
DeNara
is currently in her third year as a teacher
in Blue River her first
teaching position.
She has a reputation for keeping order in the dojo,
especially amongst the white belts.
Her leadership abilities and her
patient demeanour make her
an effective and popular instructor.
She drops in to teach and train when she is in town, but we hope
to have her back with us full-time in the future.
Western karate academy
