About Us

Paul Wilson

Paul began training in Shorin Ryu Kenshin Kan in 1987 in Fort Smith, AR. He received his shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1989 from Jerry Partain, training under Don Foster and Owen Gilmore. He continued his training under his current Sensei, Don Foster, and was awarded his subsequent rank under his guidance. He currently holds a Yondan (4th degree) in Shorin Ryu Karate and Yondan in Ryukyu Kobudo. Paul has also trained in Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Aikido, Jiu-Jutsu, and Escrima. He lives and teaches in Austin, TX at White Rock Kenshinkan and Roche Blanche Kenshinkan in Montreal, QC. Paul is also a sought after leader of seminars on kata application.

Dan Williams

Dan has been involved in the martial arts since 1984.  A self
proclaimed “dojo drifter” his experience includes various arts such as Wing Chun, Hap Ki Do, San Yun Do, Tai Chi, and others.  Dan is also the founder and creator of TheDojoManager.com, a web site that helps martial art schools manage their students.  He has a balanced perspective on the importance of all aspects of the arts and currently resides in Lansing, MI with his wife and two cats.

Gene Myers

15th Dan – IKCWHOFFUSAA*
After dabbling in various martial arts including Goshin Jitsu karate, Tae Kwon Do and Judo, Gene was introduced to Shorin-ryu karate by Shihan John Drouin in 1993 and has practiced that art ever since.  He is a Fourth Dan in Chibana-ha Shorin-ryu and a student of Robert Herten Sensei (Ninth Dan) and Tony Musso Sensei (Fifth Dan), and dai sempai at Finger Lakes Karate in Auburn, New York, USA.  He also trains in Two-Circle Jujitsu under the direction of Ernie DeCaro Sensei (Fourth Dan) and Hakutsuru (White Crane) Kenpo under Robert Herten Sensei.  Besides self-defense, Gene’s interest is in kata bunkai, conditioning for the martial arts and discussing the arts with like-minded practitioners.

Pete Shambo
Soke – Karate Cafe
15th Dan – IKCWHOFFUSAA*
Pete started training Under Tony Musso Sensei in 1994, with whom he attained 2nd Dan. After moving in 2007, Pete reluctantly stopped studying with Myers Sensei and Musso Sensei but continued training informally on his own. After trying several different styles, he is now studying Tai Chi. His interest in the social and spiritual side of the Martial Arts and Eastern Culture has been a constant. Pete started Karate Cafe after enjoying a particularly memorable Friday evening discussion of the Arts in May of 2005. He felt that there would be value in starting a virtual conversation via podcast, so that even MA practitioners in small communities could get involved and enjoy discussing all aspects of their MA experiences.

* International Karate Cafe World Hall of Fame Federation of the Unites States of America Association

Where martial arts conversations begin….