Instructors
Mr. David L. Smith
Associate Professor 5th Degree Black Belt Kenpo
1st Degree Black Belt Judo
1st Degree Black Belt Kung Fu
Board Certified with:
International Kenpo Karate Association
GL Kenpo
Irish Kenpo Karate Federation
Mr. Smith began his martial arts training in the British Army at
the age of 16. His chosen field in the military was music. He
studied at the Royal Military School of Music Knellar Hall in Twickenham,
London and qualified as a Bandmaster. During his 14 years as a Chief
Petty Officer with the Royal Navy Reserve he got the opportunity of
training with the Royal Marines and qualified as a Bandmaster.
During his time in the military he got the privilege of being the
Queen’s personal trumpeter and served this post for nine months this
is one of the proudest moments in his life. During his time at Knellar
Hall he started studying Judo and Aikido under the Instruction of Mr.
B. Langton and Mr. J. Elkin. In 1962 Mr. Smith received his 1st Degree
Black Belt in Judo and 1st Kyu Brown Belt in Aikido he received these
grades through the Amateur Judo Association and the Army Judo
Association. During his studies he met Master Leong Fu and subsequently
began studying Kung Fu he received his 1st degree Black Belt in 1963.
After leaving the military in 1964 he met Mr. M Mahon in 1968 and
started training in Kenpo Karate. Mr. Smith was the first brown belt in
the Island Jersey and received this grade in 1972 under Mr. M Mahon.
Shortly after he took time out to start a family and subsequently went
back and started learning Ed Parkers American Kenpo in 1986. He
received a severe knee injury in late1987 and this put him out for over
a year. After he recovered he went back in 1989 in 1992 he received his
brown belt then in 1994 he received his 1st Degree Black Belt from the
International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA). In 1996 he received his
2nd Degree Black Belt from the IKKA. In 2000 he received his 3rd degree
Black Belt from the IKKF and in 2004 he received his 4th degree from Mr
G Lelliott.
Mr. Smith organized the 1993, 1994 and 1996 IKKA International
competitions having top instructors from the USA to teach seminars and
people from all over Europe and the USA to compete. These weekends were
always successful and pulled together the Kenpo community from many
different countries. Over the years Mr. Smith has had the opportunity
to train with some of the best Kenpo Instructors they are Ed Parker Sr,
Lee Wedlake Jr, Richard “Huk” Planas, Graham Lelliott, Maurice Mahon and
Zach Whitson to just name a few.
Mr. Smith started The Dragon’s Way School of Kenpo Inc in 1996 at St
Mary’s School in the Island of Jersey he moved back to the USA November
2000 leaving his brown belt in charge. Mr. Smith opened his school in
Carlisle PA in March 2001; the school has grown successfully over the
years and is still going strong.
Mr. Smith continues to study the art of Kenpo Karate under one of Mr. Ed
Parker Sr’s 1st generation Black Belt Associate Master of the art Mr. G
Lelliott 8th Degree Black Belt Kenpo Karate. Mr. Smith’s goal is to
continue teaching Kenpo Karate using Judo and Aikido to complement and
enhance Kenpo teachings.
Mrs. Suk Yee Smith
4th Degree Black Belt Kenpo
Board Certified with:
GL Kenpo
Irish Kenpo Karate Federation
Mrs. Smith started her training in 1991 in the Island of Jersey where
she was born and raised. Her first introduction into the martial arts
came when she started studying Kung Fu under Mr. M Du Feu. In 1993 she
changed to Kenpo Karate as she found it more practical, challenging and
invigorating and has studied the art ever since. In 1996 she sustained a
knee injury preventing her from training for 6 months and in 1999 her
father passed away before she obtained her Black Belt in 2000 under the
Irish Kenpo Karate Federation (IKKF). Suk Yee is the first person in
the Island of Jersey to obtain the rank of Black Belt under Mr. M Mahon
9th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo the other panel members were Mr. S Paget
7th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo, Mr. B Coleman 6th Degree Black Belt in
Kenpo, Mr. P Coleman 4th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo and Mr. D L Smith
3rd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo.
Mrs. Smith moved to the USA with her husband in November 2000 and co-owns
their school. She received her 2nd Degree under Mr. D L Smith and Mr.
G Lelliott in 2002. In June 2006 she received her 3rd Degree Black Belt
under Mr. G. Lelliott, Mr. D. L Smith, Mr. J Henderson, Mr. F Bell & Mr.
D Davis. On May 21st 2009 she achieved the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt under
Mr. G. Lelliott, Mr. L. Wedlake, Mr. I. Johansson, Mr. D. L. Smith, Mr. I Harris
& Mr. P. McMurray.
Mrs. Smith has also trained with the same prominent instructors as
Mr. Smith and continues her training under Associate Master Mr.
G Lelliott 8th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and Mr. D L Smith
5th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate.
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Matthew Pochodzay
2nd Degree Black Belt Kenpo
Board Certified with:
GL Kenpo
Matthew started his training in 2001. Matthew has always been interested
in martial arts from a young age and strives to earn his black belt.
He finds Kenpo challenging and fun Matthew has gained a lot of
self-confidence and self-discipline since learning the art.
Matthew achieved his brown belt under Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Mr.
G Lelliott in September 2005. In March 2006 he achieved the rank of
2nd brown and in September he achieved the rank of 1st brown. After all
the hard work and dedication over the years Matthew has finally achieved
his 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate on May 24th 2007 in Fresno
California. Matthew achieved his Black Belt under the recommendation of
Mr. D L Smith, Mr. L Wedlake, Mr. G Lelliott, Mr. I Johansson,Mr. J. Arnold
Mr. I Harris. He achieved his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate on May 21st 2009 in Fresno
California. Matthew achieved his Black Belt under the recommendation of
Mr. D L Smith, Mr. L Wedlake, Mr. G Lelliott, Mr. I Johansson, Mr. P. McMurray.
Mr. I Harris.
Matthew has become a fine example of what an Instructor should be. He is constantly attneding seminars and learning to increase his knowledge of the system.
Matthew also trains in Judo and has received his Yellow belt. He is a very dedicated young man always willing to help others in their pursuit of their Kenpo Journey.