Meet our Owner and Head Master
And OUR INSTUCTORS
Kyoshi George Santiago
Kyoshi George Santiago has been training in martial arts since 1984 and has been instructing students since 1998.
He holds a 7th Degree Black Belt in Tai Kempo and a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Known for his discipline, knowledge, and dedication, Kyoshi Santiago continues to train daily and compete both locally and internationally, believing that martial arts is a lifelong journey of growth and learning.
He firmly believes that no matter your rank, there is always more to learn.
To continually bring the highest level of instruction to his students, Kyoshi regularly trains with martial artists from across the United States and around the world, bringing new techniques, skills, and perspectives back to the dojo while remaining rooted in traditional martial arts values.
Kyoshi Santiago takes great pride in the community that has grown around Bushido Karate Dojo.
As he often says: “It is a privilege and an honor to be Kyoshi and Sensei to all of my students—both past and present.”
Journey into Martial Arts
George's journey in martial arts began as a young boy fascinated by the martial arts films he watched every Saturday on Kung Fu Theater. Inspired by the discipline, strength, and philosophy of martial arts, he spent hours practicing moves in his living room long before he ever stepped into a dojo.
When The Karate Kid was released in 1984, it further fueled his passion and determination to begin formal training.
George began his martial arts journey through a youth program at the P.A.L., where he trained under Grand Master Ed Gross. After school he continued training at Ed Gross Karate, where his dedication and passion for martial arts continued to grow.
Years later, Grand Master Ed Gross entrusted George with the opportunity to continue the legacy of the school. In April of 1998, George became the owner and head instructor, opening the doors to what is now known as Bushido Karate Dojo in East Islip, New York.
He began with just 16 students, confident that through hard work, dedication, and strong values the school would grow.
More than 25 years later, Bushido Karate Dojo continues to be a place where students develop confidence, discipline, focus, respect, and strength through traditional martial arts training.
For Kyoshi George, martial arts is about much more than physical technique. His mission has always been to create a place where students feel supported, challenged, and proud of the progress they make both inside and outside the dojo.
"We wear our belts in our hearts,
not just around our waists"
Bushido Karate Dojo was founded on the belief that martial arts should develop the whole person — mind, body, and character.
Our instruction is rooted in traditional karate values such as respect, self‑control, discipline, and humility, while remaining accessible and encouraging for students of all ages and experience levels. We believe every student has potential, and it is our responsibility to help bring out the best in each individual.
At Bushido, students are not just members — they are family. We take pride in creating a safe, positive environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow on and off the mat.
Our Instructor's
Our instructor's pledge to train and teach with pride, respect and honor. As teachers of martial arts they will show respect for all of the students, no matter the rank.
Sensei Kayla Lebeau
4th degree blackbelt
Sensei Kayla’s journey in martial arts began at just three years old.
As one of the youngest students on the floor—and the only girl in her class at the time—she learned early the value of perseverance, confidence, and determination. Those challenges never stopped her; instead, they fueled her passion for martial arts.
From the beginning, she was inspired by instructors who were deeply committed to training the next generation, an experience that left a lasting impression and continues to guide her today. While the journey was not always easy, Sensei Kayla believes every challenge was worth it.
Now, with nearly 20 years of training, Sensei Kayla is skilled in all aspects of martial arts and is proud to be among the few in the school trained in open weapons.
She has been teaching martial arts for over 11 years and finds it incredibly rewarding to mentor and inspire students—just as her instructors once did for her.
As Sensei Kayla says, “Being able to train the next generation is the most amazing experience.”
Sensei Izeyah Ralph
4th degree blackbelt
Sensei Izeyah began training at Bushido Karate Dojo at the age of seven. From the moment his feet touched the mat, he knew he had found a place where discipline, purpose, and growth were expected. He quickly developed a deep respect for the intensity required to achieve excellence, as well as the compassion shown by the instructors toward the next generation of students.
Bushido’s commitment to preserving tradition while continuing to evolve left a lasting impact on him. The values and foundations passed down through the years continue to anchor students to the past while preparing them for the future.
As an instructor, Sensei Izeyah is dedicated to ensuring his students understand the core values of martial arts. His goal is to equip them not only with the skills to protect themselves, but also with the confidence, discipline, and responsibility to protect what matters most.
Sensei Ricardo Bermudez
2nd degree blackbelt
Sensei Ricardo Bermudez began training in the Tai Kempo system at the age of seven after being diagnosed with borderline ADHD. From the very beginning, martial arts became a positive outlet that helped shape his focus, confidence, and discipline.
Through his training at Bushido Karate Dojo, Sensei Ricardo developed values that continue to guide him today, including honor, discipline, self-control, respect, modesty, focus, and self-confidence. His martial arts journey has not only taught him how to defend himself and others, but has also had a profound impact on his everyday life—particularly in school, where his focus and performance improved significantly.
What Sensei Ricardo values most about Bushido is the strong family atmosphere. Every student is welcomed with open arms, and there is a genuine sense of camaraderie and support throughout the dojo.
As an instructor, his goal is to ensure that every student is learning, growing, and developing both skill and character. He takes great pride in the belt he wears, but even greater pride in being part of the Bushido family and having the honor of teaching the next generation the art of Tai Kempo.
Sensei Suzanne Farrell
4th degree blackbelt and our fitness instructor
Sensei Suzanne Farrel began training at Bushido Karate Dojo in 2005, driven by a lifelong interest in martial arts. Starting her journey as an adult presented challenges, but it also proved to be deeply rewarding. Through her training, she discovered that with dedication and effort, anything is achievable.
She values Bushido’s commitment to traditional martial arts instruction, believing it to be far more than a place to learn techniques. For Sensei Suzanne, the dojo is a place of self-discovery—where students learn what they are capable of both mentally and physically.
As an instructor, she finds great joy in watching students progress, build self-confidence, and grow not only as martial artists, but as individuals. Helping students realize their potential is one of the most rewarding aspects of her role at Bushido.
Sensei Andy Henriksen
5th degree blackbelt
Sensei Andy Henriksen began his martial arts training in 1997. With a background in science, he quickly recognized how traditional martial arts training strengthens both the mind and the body. Being challenged physically and mentally through his training has helped him develop confidence, discipline, and skill.
As an instructor at Bushido Karate Dojo, Sensei Andy teaches using traditional methods while recognizing that every student learns differently. He believes in treating each student as an individual and creating an environment where everyone feels supported, challenged, and capable of success.
Sensei Karl Groeger
Our Iaido instruction is under the guidance Sensei Karl Groeger,
the head instructor of the Kenzenkai Dojo.
Karl Groeger has over 30 years of martial arts training and brings a deep level of knowledge and experience to his instruction. He holds multiple black belts in Karate, Ju Jitsu, and Iaido, and currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt.
Sensei Karl has received two 5th Degree Black Belt certifications in Iaido, both awarded in Japan by his instructor, Soke Shimojo. Soke Shimojo is the head of the international Dai Nippon Iaido Kyokai, further reflecting the authenticity and lineage of Sensei Karl’s training.
An active martial artist, Sensei Karl continues to compete in martial arts competitions multiple times each year. He teaches both private and group lessons and instructs multiple schools, or ryu, of Iaido, with a primary focus on Muso Shinden Ryu.