Dinoto Karate Center Instructors

Michael Dinoto

Instructor Title
Owner/Chief Instructor

Instructor Rank
5th Degree Black Belt

Years Training
25

Biography
Mr. Dinoto has been training in martial arts for 25 years. He began his leadership training 22 years ago in 1982. He earned his black belt and became a certified instructor before he was 21. Mr. Dinoto opened this school in 1995 and is considered by his seniors to be one of the best instructors in the country. Mr. Dinoto places an emphasis on his students and their families learning together. He is a certified 5th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan and has guided hundred of students to be black belt leaders. You have a lot to look forward to!

Peter Liciaga

Instructor Title
Head Instructor

Instructor Rank
3rd Degree Black Belt

Biography
3rd Degree Black Belt and Head Instructor
Mr. Liciaga has been with Dinoto Karate since January 2000. He began his karate training at age 9 and received his first degree Black Belt when he was 15. Mr. Liciaga continued to train and while living in Europe competed in full contact karate. He became the European Champion in 1999. He received his third degree Black Belt in August 2000. His zest for life and love of martial arts is evident at all times, whether he is instructing or training.

Erika Dinoto

Instructor Title
Mrs. Dinoto, Program Coordinator

Instructor Rank
2nd Degree Black Belt

Years Training
10

Biography
With over 10 years training in Tang Soo Do and over 7 years teaching experience, Mrs. Dinoto assists in all children's classes. She is active in the ACMA and specializes in motivating newer students and young female martial artists. Children in our Tots program love her highly motivating and innovative classes. Her personal warmth and patience make all of the students feel comfortable on the training floor.

Christopher Tietz

Instructor Title
Mr. Tietz, Assistant Instructor

Instructor Rank
1st Degree Black Belt

Years Training
4

Biography
Mr. Christopher Tietz has been training at Dinoto Karate Center for over four years.
He received his 1st Degree Black Belt in October 2003. "Through my association and training
at Dinoto Karate, I've enriched every aspect of my life. I've gained a new found respect for others
and a regenerated zest for life. I've begun training for my E-Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) as well
as providing guidance to younger students through our Assistant Instructors Program."

Jacqueline Georgi

Instructor Title
Assistant Instructor

Instructor Rank
1st Degree Black Belt

Years Training
3

Biography
Ms. Georgi has been training for 3 years at Dinoto Karate. Her first encounter with martial arts began in 1988 when the stresses and demands of graduate school led her to search for a balance of mind and body. Ten years later she once again faced the training hall, this time as a mother of two. She watched the children's classes in the lobby for a year before finally entering the dojang herself. "I have been an Assistant Instructor since the fall and find this a most rewarding experience."

Robert Blaylock

Instructor Title
Assistant Instructor

Instructor Rank
1stDegree Black Belt

Years Training
5

Biography
Mr. Blaylock has been training at Dinoto Karate for more than 4 years. He earned his First Degree Black Belt in October 2003. "I have found my experience at Dinoto Karate to be very rewarding. The staff is first rate and very interested in the students" progression in martial arts. I am so glad I took that first step and got out onto the studio floor!"

Todd Pagurek

Instructor Title
Mr. Pagurek

Instructor Rank
3rd Degree Black Belt

Years Training
13

Biography
Mr. Pagurek started his martial arts training at age 4 and received his 1st Degree Black Belt at age 10. Mr. Pagurek began training at Dinoto Karate Center in October 2002 and received his 3rd Degree Black Belt in October 2003 at the age of 16. He is continuing his training towards 4th Degree. "I find working with the tots and children most challenging and enjoyable. Teaching and motivating other students during their training is what I believe a true martial artist is and that's what I believe I am."

Shawn Fitzgerald

Instructor Title
Assistant Instructor

Instructor Rank
1st Degree Black Belt

Years Training
4

Biography
Mr. Fitzgerald started his training in January of 2000. He watched his son train for a year before he found the courage to start my training. "The way the belt system is broken down is a fantastic way of building confidence in ones ability to set goals and achieve those goals. I see it in the student's faces when they get a new stripe and when they get a new belt they glow like a beacon of light. I have been assisting for close to three years. I have seen the positive affects it has on the students. Teaching people to believe in themselves is a beautiful thing and that is one thing that I want to spend the rest of my life trying to accomplish."