 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: What I enjoy
most when off the mat: | Motorcycle, car rides on country roads. Reading, history- current events, researching martial arts. | What I enjoy
most when off the mat: |
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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: | | 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 3rd Dan Black Belt (pending)
| Current Instructor Rank
| | Martial Art Experience
| 12 years study at Modern Samurai | Personal Background:
| Townsend Harris High School Alumnus Sophomore attending New York University Stern School of Business. Pursuing B.S. degree in Finance and Management. | Other Interests: | Physical fitness, contemporary piano, motorsports, financial/business world. | What I enjoy
off the Mat: | Watching a good movie, hanging out with friends, learning to ride a motorcycle. |
Andrew Poon
Dojo: | Modern Samurai | | Taekwondo Rank | | 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 |
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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Instructors 
