ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Sifu Dustin Santomenna
Sifu Dustin Santomenna is the chief instructor at Phoenix Martial Arts Massachusetts. He is a lifelong martial artist, and a dedicated and professional teacher who has trained many types of people throughout his teaching career including the New York City Police and Fire Departments, the ATF, members of Homeland Security, the Girls and Boys Scouts, children with special needs, men and women in the Armed Forces. He is also a high school history teacher with a B.A. in American Studies, and a Masters Degree in Education.
He was the first certified instructor under Sifu Greg Pichardo of Phoenix Mixed Martial Arts in Queens, New York, and is an instructor and representative of the worldwide Magda Institute Association, directed by Sifu Cass Magda, teaching Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Buka Jalan Pentjak Silat.
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Soon after graduating from college Sifu Dustin met Greg Pichardo, and quickly became a fixture at Sifu Greg's school in New York. He spent many hours under direct tutelage of Sifu Greg, where he learned the intricacies of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Indonesian Pentjak Silat, as well as Muay Thai and grappling arts. Sifu Greg opened up his eyes to the world of martial arts. Over the years he traveled with Sifu Greg to seminars with legendary martial artists such as Guro Dan Inosanto, Sifu Cass Magda, Sifu Tim Tackett, and to demonstrations up and down the East Coast. He was Sifu Greg's personal assistant and demonstration partner in the school and at seminars and demonstrations.
In 2006 Sifu Dustin relocated to Massachusetts and opened up Phoenix Martial Arts of Massachusetts, keeping with the tradition and lineage of Phoenix Martial Arts and his teacher. His classes have grown from a handful of students with limited martial arts experience to a solid group of dedicated and devoted martial artists. In 2016, Sifu Dustin had the opportunity to teach join with TMI Self-Defense out of Hopedale, MA.
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Currently Sifu Dustin is still training with Sifu Greg Pichardo and Sifu Cass Magda in Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Indonesian Pentjak Silat, as well as Guro Guy Chase, another Dan Insanto Lineage instructor in Filipino Kali and Indonesian Silat. He also trains and holds a blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under world renowned competitor and teacher Professor Carlos Terrinha.
Lineage
Bruce Lee ---> Dan Inosanto---> Cass Magda----> Greg Pichardo--->Dustin Santomenna---> YOU!
Dustin with his teachers Sifu Greg Pichardo and Guro Cass Magda
Dustin with the legendary Guro Dan Inosanto
Dustin training with Guro Guy Chase
Dustin with the JKD forefather Sifu Ted Wong
Dustin with JKD teacher Sifu Tim Tackett
Dustin with his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teacher, Professor Carlos Terrinha and his teacher "Draculino"
Sifu Dustin at the Magda Institute Headquarters in Reseda, California with Guro Cass Magda and Sifu Greg Pichardo and the East Coast Instructors
Dustin demonstrating Silat with Sifu Greg Pichardo
Dustin with his fellow Phoenix Instructor, Sifu Nate Marinone
Dustin with JKD legends Sifu Tim Tackett and Bruce Lee Original Student, Bob Bremer
Dustin with Guro Cass Magda
Sensei Chuck Leverone
Chuck Leverone Jr. started his martial arts at age ten in Kempo mostly because it was fun and he really enjoyed it. As the years progressed, he continued to enjoy it and grew eager to learn more. On September 7, 1996 he received the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) from Professor Nick Cerio and Shihan Craig Seavey in Nick Cerio’s Kenpo Karate and Jiujitsu.
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On August 16, 2008 – Mr. Leverone received the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in Nick Cerio’s Kenpo Karate and Jiujitsu and was awarded the title of “Shihan”. He taught out Kenpo to adults and children out of several locations in the Central Massachusetts area.
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On April 5, 2013 – Mr. Leverone started training in Filipino Kali and Indonesian Pentjak Silat under Sifu Dustin Santomenna. He has been training with Sifu Dustin consistently ever since, and is currently a Level 1 Brown sash in Filipino Kali and Indonesian Pentjak Silat under Sifu Dustin Santomenna and Sifu Greg Pichardo. He currently teaches the beginning level Kali/Silat class at the academy.
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On September 18th 2022- Mr. Leverone was awarded by Sifu Dustin Santomenna and Sifu Greg Pichardo with his Apprentice Instructorship in the Phoenix Martial Arts Organization.
In addition to his Kenpo, Kali, and Silat training Mr. Leverone has studied Tai Chi under Dr. Aihan Kuhn, Aikido and Jiujitsu under Shihan Jason DeLucia and Chin Na at Yang’s Martial Arts Association.
Sifu Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner began his training with Phoenix Martial Arts in 2012 studying JKD, Filipino Kali, and Indonesian Pentjak Silat with Sifu Dustin. He is currently a brown sash rank. Prior to studying with Phoenix Martial Arts, Jonathan served in the US Marine Core and is a veteran. He trained in several martial arts styles while in the Marine Core including Chinese Shaolin, Submission Grappling, and the Marine Core MCMAP.
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He has been a model of consistency on the training floor and a great tutor for new students. On September 17th, 2022 Jonathan was awarded by Sifu Dustin Santomenna and Sifu Greg Pichardo with his Apprentice Instructorship in the Phoenix Martial Arts Organization.
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Jonathan currently works for the Department of Corrections