Paul Verba Sensei, Yondan

Paul Verba began his Aikido training in 1988 as a founding member of the Microsoft Aikido Club under Joanne Veneziano Sensei. Prior to Aikido Paul studied Chinese Wu Shu, Tai Qi, and European foil fencing. He is also the principle of Inori LLC, a private real estate investment group, and studies Japanese Calligraphy with Yoshiyasu Fujii Sensei founder of the Akashi USA calligraphy schools.

Adam Eisenberg Sensei, Sandan

Adam Eisenberg began training in 1992 at the University of Washington under Gary Barnett Sensei. Adam joined Emerald City Aikido in 1997. He teaches in the adult and children’s program. Eager to expand his martial arts knowledge, Adam also studies Tai Jiquan. He is also author of the book "A Different Shade of Blue: How Women Changed the Face of Police Work".

Kelly Koerner Sensei, Sandan

Kelly Koerner began to study aikido at the Seattle School of Aikido in 1988. Her practice is deeply influenced by the teaching of Tom Read Sensei and Raso Hultgren Sensei. She works as a clinical psychologist and is Creative Director of the Evidence Based Practice Institute.

Dan Bray Sensei, Sandan

Dan Bray discovered Aikido at the age of 53, receiving his black belt 7 years later at age 60. Dan works as a real estate agent when he is not doing and instructing Aikido.

Fran O'Donnell Sensei, Sandan

Fran works at Harborview Medical Center as a Burns Nurse Educator.

Bob Kackman Sensei, Nidan

Bob Kackman was searching for a martial art when he stumbled upon ECA in 1995 and has been training with Veneziano Sensei ever since. He splits his time off the mat redirecting energy in his work, as a project manager for a local developer and with his wife raising two adorable, exuberant children. Aikido provides the physical grounding necessary in his life to keep his sense of humor and sanity.

Morrie Bills Sensei, Nidan

Morrie first read about Aikido in a small children's book at the age of 10.  As a geeky, shy, uncoordinated individual, she was intrigued with the idea that people of all abilities could do Aikido.  In 1991 she began training at ECA, in the first beginner series. She believes Aikido has helped her become not only physically coordinated and athletic, but also more confident and flexible in dealing with life and on embarking on the path of becoming an actor.

Sean Congdon Sensei, Nidan

Sean is a Naturopath in private practice at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health Seattle and is the father of two young children.

John Benner Sensei, Shodan

John runs a after school day care center for kids. He is an early childhood educator and is the father of two young boys.

Dan Amdur Sensei, Shodan

Dan Amdur started Aikido when he was 22 years old and currently works at Microsoft as a project manager in the games division.

Russ Bates Sensei, Shodan

Russ is a nutrition guru who advocates eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables, and grows some of his own food on land in Eastern Oregon.

Cindy Heiden Sensei, Shodan

Cindy began training in 1994 after seeing Aikido's beauty and joy in a demonstration at Emerald City Aikido. The aspects of connection and receiving are particularly, enduringly fascinating.