Dennis Hill, CPT, RKC, Chief Instructor

Dennis Hill began his study of martial arts at the age of seven. Throughout his martial art career, he has studied both eastern and western martial arts. Besides Combat Hapkido, Thai Kickboxing, and Combat Sambo, Dennis has formally studied the following martial

arts: Tae-Kwon-Do, Tang Soo Do, Russian Free-style Wrestling, Boxing, Kempo, Aikido, Shoot Fighting, Aiki-Jujutsu and Judo. Dennis Hill has spent many years devoted to training in mixed martial arts. In addition to being a martial artist, he is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Kettlebell Instructor.

Marisa Hill, Business Manager

Marisa worked in the corporate world for 15 years before leaving her position as Director in Underwriting at a major health insurance company to pursue being a full-time mom and business manager for Aiki Academy.  Marisa is responsible for the AIKI website and the AIKI YouTube videos.  She handles all aspects of marketing, charity events, and administrative functions related to our members. 

Joseph Vigdorchik (Trainer to Dennis Hill)

Master Level Wrestling Coach From Russia

Sid Kelly (Trainer to Dennis Hill)

Sid Kelly is an 8th Dan in Judo and a 6th Dan in Ju-Jitsu rank.  He has studied, trained and taught Judo for 50 years.  He is a two times world masters gold medalist (1999-2003) and one time world masters bronze medalist (2002).  Sid is a certified USJA coach, certified USJA Rank examiner and certified USJA Katta Coach.  He coached the winning Connecticut National Team in 1998. He has served ten years as a certified National Referee and has been a coach for 25 years at the International Judo Camp. Sid is the author of 4 books and has produced many videos on Judo and Waki-Gatame. 

Michael O. (Head Instructor)

Michael has 26 years of study in the martial arts and has earned black belts in traditional Hapkido, Tang Soo Do and USA Karate-Jitsu. In addition to currently training in Free-style Wrestling, Sambo and Combat Hapkido, he has formally studied in Muay Thai, Wing Chun Kung Fu, GoJu Ryu, Shotokan, Kempo, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-jiutsu, and Judo. Michael has also completed instructor certification courses in Jim Wagner's Reality Based Personal Protection.

Ian, CPT (Full Instructor)

Ian is a black belt in Combat Sambo. He has also formally studied Combat Hapkido and Wrestling.   Ian assists in instructing Aiki Academy's Thai Kickboxing and Kettlebell classes.  In addition to being a martial artist, Ian is a certified personal trainer.

©Inger Schoelkopf

Jennifer (Office Manager & Full Instructor)

Jen is the head of admistrative functions at Aiki Academy.  Jen also is an instructor in Aiki Academy's Kettlebell and Little Ninja classes. She assists the Chief Instructor with the Little Dragons program as well.

Steve (Full Instructor)          

Steve has been training in the martial arts for approximately 15 years and has earned a black belt in Kempo Karate, Aikido, Judo and Sambo. Steve is a police arrest and control instructor and has also trained in Combat Hapkido, Free Style Wrestling and Brazilian Jujitsu.

Paul Bergevin (Assistant Instructor)

Paul was one of the first students at Aiki

Academy and currently assists the Chief Instructor with classes. Paul is a 2nd Dan black belt in Combat Sambo.

Mike G. (pictured with Fabiano Telles)

Mike is one of our Sambo students and a member of our advisory board.  He is also responsible for the creation and maintenance of Aiki's Myspace page. 

Mike H. (Assistant Youth Instructor)

Danielle (Administrative Assistant)

Danielle assits the Office Manager with administrative functions at Aiki Academy. Danielle also assists the Chief Instructor with children's classes.