Our Instructors

John Eccles Sensei began his training in Goju-Ryu karate in Mount Kisco, New York in the dojo of Master Seikichi Toguchi's Shorei-Kan in 1972 under the tutelage of his more notable students, Toshio Tomano Sensei, and Kazkuni Miyagi Sensei. Sensei John had an extensive tournament career throughout the 70's and 80's, competing and demonstrating regionally and nationally both independently, and with the AAU. In the late 90's Sensei John began taking instruction with Dai-Sensei Kowloon Ong. He now trains with Masaji Taira Sensei, and other senior members of the Kenkyukai. Sensei John currently holds the rank of 6th degree black belt (Rokudan), and is a certified instructor of Goju-Ryu Karate having received his teaching license in the Kenkyukai directly from Masaji Taira Sensei.

Michael Leffler Sensei began his training in Goju Ryu karate under the tutelage of John Eccles Sensei and Nancy Eccles Sensei in 2014 shortly after his kids began training at Glasco Karate. Sensei Mike was awarded his Shodan (Black Belt) in 2018 and his Nidan (2nd Degree) in 2022 from Masaji Taira Sensei. Over the last 10 years, he has established himself a well-respected practitioner in the Goju Ryu Kenkyukai, training with the finest practitioners in the US and world. With extensive experience as a tournament Judge, he was invited to add the Hudson Valley Regionals tournament to the 518 Martial Arts tournament circuit in 2022. His children, Ellie and Keegan, have both attained their Shodan ranks at Glasco Karate, and often help with the instruction of children in the dojo.

Sensei Mike earned a biology degree from Binghamton University where he was captain of the swim team and competed in the NCAA Division III National Championships. He also served as head coach of the New Paltz Seahawks in the mid-1990's. There is no greater accomplishment for Sensei Mike than to see his students achieve greater mastery than himself.

Nancy Eccles Sensei began training in Tang Soo Do (a Korean martial art) in 1995, after observing her children's karate classes. Within months, she was an assistant instructor. She trained in Tang Soo Do for ten years, achieving the rank of second degree black belt, and senior instructor. Sensei Nancy also competed in dozens of tournaments and holds grand championships in kata, sparring and weapons. She is an experienced tournament judge, and brings over 30 years of public school teaching experience to her unique style of martial arts teaching.

She began training in Goju-Ryu in 2005, started again from white belt, and now holds the rank of 5th degree black belt (Godan) in Goju-Ryu. Sensei Nancy is also a master instructor, one of only two women world-wide to be awarded a teaching license, in the Kenkyukai by Masaji Taira Sensei.

Bieje (pronounced bee-jay) has been working with Sensei Mike and Sensei Nancy in Goju Ryu since 2021. With over 25 years as a professional performer/teacher in musical theatre, classical ballet, theatre arts aerialist and as the head of various dance programs for children and adults, Bieje has tremendous expertise in teaching all aspects of movement and performance.

In addition to training Goju Ryu, Bieje continues to train in all aspects of theatre, voice and dance. Some of the programs she has taught or led include Woodbury Ballet, CT Dance Theatre, Steps in Time Ballroom, Dancesport Manhattan, Logrea Dance Academy, and most recently at Saugerties Ballet, and Rhinebeck Performing Arts. Bieje's unique experience adds tremendous value to our Wee Warriors class curriculum.