Lou D'Agostino

Owner/Instructor

Mission Statement:

Modern Samurai offers traditional martial arts training in a safe, comfortable, well-equipped facility, to students interested in becoming versatile martial artists. The goal of Modern Samurai is to provide a curriculum that meets the demanding needs of today's society.

In recent years martial arts, and Taekwondo in particular, have become very popular and mainstream in their appeal. There are many reasons why one should begin martial arts practice and study. Discipline, self-respect, physical conditioning, (including, toning, increased, strength and flexibility), hand eye coordination, stress reduction, improved balance and most importantly, self defense techniques and mindset are all to be gained.

Finding a martial arts school these days is not very difficult. Finding one that lives up to its advertised claims, however, is not so easy. Most parents are enrolling their children in Taekwondo classes to reinforce the discipline that they impart at home. Assuring that their children can also practice self-defense also plays a big part in their decision. Some people are under the impression that students enrolled in Taekwondo classes will get into more fights. In fact, the opposite is true. With practice, under qualified instruction, come respect and humility. Self-defense instruction should impart methods and concepts to help students successfully avert a violent confrontation. As the students mature, so should the potential role-playing examples be expanded. Introducing rape prevention concepts to a nine or ten year old would be considered inappropriate. On the other hand, it is certainly important to a young teenager who may be starting to have an occasional date and or taking public transportation.

Martial arts classes may very well give students the confidence they need to defuse a potentially dangerous situation, by exercising good awareness skills acquired through" Threat Assessment." Failing that, it's comforting to students, as well as to their loved ones, to know that they have prepared for the time when their practice may save them pain and suffering of all sorts.

2006 Rank Certifications

Dojo:	Modern Samurai Dojo Shinkendo New York
Current  Certifications:	Shinkendo: Rank- Ji-e Toyama-ryu: Sandan Batto-do: Sandan WTF Taekwondo: 4th Dan
Current  Instructor  Rank:	Licensed sword instructor (Chuden Renshi ) and New York shibucho ( branch leader) with the International Shinkendo Federation headed and founded by Toshishiro Obata Kaiso. Licensed by Obata Sensei to teach Toyama-ryu swordsmanship ( Renshi) in addition to the Shinkendo curriculum. Licensed kyokai or study group (shidoin) for the Aikido and Aikibujutsu of Obata So Shihan.
Martial Art  Studies:	Began Taekwondo training in 1989. Ad hoc training in Wing Chun, ju jutsu, Judo, Aikido ( five years) Began Shinkendo training with Obata Kaiso in 1999.
Other  Martial Arts  Experiance:	Currently involved in learning Koryu Uchinadi Kempo Jutsu Five years study as a student and assistant instructor under Phil Messina in civilian Self-defense and P.D.T. (police defensive tactics) at Modern Warrior known for its multiple opponent combat curriculum.
Personal  Background:	Freelance musician, Drummer - performing various styles of music from Pop, rock, top 40, Jazz, big band, and advant garde ensembles as well as recording experience as a studio musician. Staff drummer for Jacques d'Amboise N.D.I. also performing percussion for annual M.S.Q. performances. Performance major (percussion) Indiana University 1981-1983. Free lance playing while enrolled at I.U. including performing Jazz directors Dominic Sperra and David Baker in and out of school. Blue Note City Quintet. Honor of playing with Jazz masters on the current music scene, Joe Gillman, Robert Hurst and Chris Botti while enrolled at I. U. Left I.U. for a stint playing on SS Indepenence Cruise Ship -Hawaiian Islands 1984. Currrently perfroming with own jazz trio. Teaching experience: Original instructor staff instructor at “Drummers Collective” founded by Rick Kravitz. circa 1977-1980 currently known as D.C.I. music / video. Brooklyn Conservatory of Music – Brooklyn and Queens branch. Circa 1977-1980 Long Island Institute of Music ( same as above)
Hobbies:	Motorcycle, car rides on country roads. Reading, history- current events, researching martial arts.
What I enjoy  most when  off the mat:	My wife, family, friendship, our pooch and life.

Dave Mancuso

Dojo:	Shinkendo New York @ Modern Samurai NY and Manhattan Kokai
Current Skill  Rank:	Shinkendo – Goho Mokoroku Aikido (Aiki-Buken --ABTK) – Ikkyu Toyama-Ryu – Shodan
Current  Instructor Rank:	Shinkendo – Kenshuin
Years of  Shinkendo Study:	Met and began training with Obata sensei at the Honbu dojo in 2001. I trained at the Shinkendo Honbu dojo regularly from 2001 through 2003, and at the Suigetsukan dojo (then Shinkendo/Aikido affiliate) in Oakland for 6 months in 2004-5 before returning to NYC.
Other  Martial Arts  Experience:	During my travels I had briefly studied Vee-Arnis Ju-jitsu, and some preliminary Aikido at the NY Aikikai before meeting Obata sensei in LA. Also some ad hoc ‘Sticky Hands’ Tai Chi.
Personal  Background:	Originally from Providence, RI. Bachelor of Music Performance from Oberlin Conservatory (1993), Master of Music from Temple University (1995). Performed worldwide as orchestral, small ensemble and solo percussioninst (Spoleto Festival, Sarasota Opera, New World Symphony, etc.). Worked as touring percussionist/Assistant Conductor with Disney’s ‘Lion King’ (LA, Chicago, San Francisco). Also served as production supervisor (percussion) for the Amsterdam, Sydney (Australia), and Hamburg (Germany) productions. A bit of acting on the side (studied 3 years at HB Studios, NYC), and obligatory professional culinary experience to pay the bills during school…
Current Vocation:	Percussionist and Assistant Conductor with the Broadway production of Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’.
Hobbies:	Eastern philosophy (esp. Tibetan Buddhism), current science (theoretical physics, nanotech…cool stuff!), cooking for friends, audiophile/home theater, SCUBA diving.

Kevin Liang

Dojo:	Modern Samurai
Taekwondo  Rank	WTF 2nd Poom (Black Belt)
Current  Instructor  Rank	Assistant
Martial Art  Experience	10 years study at Modern Samurai
Personal  Background:	Currently a high school senior preparing for college. Currently working on a science research project at Columbia University
Other  Interests:	Playing the piano, track and field, math team, Fed Challenge
What I enjoy off the Mat:	Watching a good movie, hanging out with friends, surfing the internet

Andrew Poon

Dojo:	Modern Samurai
Taekwondo  Rank	1st Degree Black Belt
Martial Art  Experience	8 years of Tae kwon do under Sensei Louis D'Agostino with competition experience. Recently started training in Judo under Sensei Lloyd Llamas
Personal  Background:	Graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology (Movement Science with a Medical Emphasis) from Penn State University. Currently earning a clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy from Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus Penn State Army ROTC for 2 years
Other Interests:	Martial Arts, Snowboarding, Working Out, Import Cars, Enjoying Good Literature, Watching Cinematic Adventures, & Good Old Fashion Hanging Out
What I enjoy off the Mat:	Food (Educating My Palate) - They say the way to a man's heart is his stomach. My Family & Close Friends and Living, Learning, Training & Being Healthy

( Konto) G. Konstantine Laskaris

Dojo:	Modern Samurai / Shinkendo New York
Current Skill  Rank	Shinkendo-Hyaku-e Toyama Ryu- Nidan
Current  Instructor  Rank	Shinkendo-Shidoin  Toyama-ryu -Shidoin
Years of Shinkendo Study	Began in November 2001
Other Martial Art Experience	1984-Studied 1 year of Shotokan at Miyazaki Dojo in Flushing, NY 1993-1994: Began studying Muay Thai with Nirmalya Bhowmchick at Muay Thai Academy International
	1995-1998: Switched my Muay Thai studies over to Fairtex, San Francisco. Studied with Multi-Titled Champion Alex “F14” Gong, Lumpini and Rajadmnerm Stadium Champion and IKF Lightweight Champion Bunkerd “Fairtex” Faphimai, and Head Trainer of many U.S., International and World Champions, Ganyo “Dr. Knee” Fairtex. 1995-1998: Competitive fighter for Fairtex, San Francisco 1999-2001: Moved to Willow Glen TKD/Fairtex, San Jose. Trained with 5 time World and National Heavy-Weight Champion Jean Claude Leuyer 1999-2001: Taught Muay Thai at Willow Glen TKD/Fairtex, San Jose. 2001-2003: Taught Muay Thai at CyberZone Gym, Rockaway 2006: Taught Muay Thai at Park Slope Fitness Collective, Brooklyn 2001-2006: Taught private Muay Thai classes Muay Thai Instructor Rank of  Kru. Ad Hoc training in Aikido and Brazilian Jiu Jutsu
Personal  Background	Born in Manhattan, New York. Grew up bounding around between NY, Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece. Graduate of Audio Recording Technology Institute Graduate of Archbishop Molloy H.S. Studied English, Medieval Literature and Education at Queens College, New York Studied Technical Mathematics at Queensborough Community College, New York Studied Fashion Design at West Valley College, California Award winning builder of custom motorcycles
Current Vocation	Mechanic, welder, machinist, AutoCAD programmer for a Commercial Glass company
Hobbies and    Interests	21 years of motorcycle mechanics as well as motorcycle design, fabrication, welding, and machining. I am an avid motorcyclist. I have gotten to travel by motorcycle across the U.S. 3 times, as well as riding to Alaska and through much of Western Canada. Reading, mostly about history, religion and literature pertaining to the Knights Templar, Freemasonry and Messianic legacy. Learning different languages. I am currently muddling through on Japanese. My artistic endeavors include playing bass guitar, singing American and Greek music, and working with metal and leather.

Llyod Llamas

Dojo:	Gentleway Masters Judo Club Philippines/USA, Modern Samurai Dojo, Queens Judo Center
Judo Skill  Rank	Yodan (4th Dan Black Belt)(Certified by the International Judo Federation, United States Judo Federation, Philippine Amateur Judo Association)
Current  Instructor  Rank	Gentleway Masters Judo Club Head Instructor Technical Education Director (Certified by the International Judo Federation, United States Judo Federation, Philippine Amateur Judo Association)
Judo Background	Judo - 18 years Philippine National Judo Team Member -60kg/-66kg (1997-2006) International Competitor (still active in competitions) Trained Judo in various Dojos and Universities in Japan (Kodokan/Tokai University/Budo University etc.) Philippine National Judo Referee
Other Martial Arts Experience	Muay Thai Boxing - 3years MMA fighter - since 2003
Personal  Background:	Born and Raised in the Philippines Graduated with the degree on B.S. Information Technology Currently working as a Field Operations Director for a Security Firm in Manhattan. Worked for the Philippine Sports Commission as a Consultant to the Chairman Served the Armed Forces of the Philippines for 5 years Coached Letran College Judo team for 5 years
Hobbies	Playing Music (Guitars, Drums), Snowboarding, Surfing, Jet skis, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Sky Diving, Playing different kind of sports (Soccer, Volleyball, Swimming)
What I enjoy most	Hanging out, traveling and playing Judo with my Family (My wife and three monkeys), Annoy and cuddle my little "Mooshu" (our toy poodle)

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