About this instructor:

Raffi and Susan Derderian have owned and operated the Derderian Academy of Martial Arts in Johnston, RI. since 1993. Raffi began training in martial arts in 1973. He has earned Black Belts in Uechi Karate, Shinko-ryu Kempo, Filipino Arnis, and Oki-ryu Kenpo. He is also a Full Instructor of Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts. At 41 years old, he won the Grand Championships both Kata and Sparring at the 2002 World Uechi-ryu Championships. Susan is a Shodan in Kenpo and a Nidan in Kempo. She has 15 years of martial arts training. Susan has also training in Filipino Martial Arts and JKD. In addition to her duties at the academy, she is a foreign language teacher at a private school.