The Heart Beat

At the heart of our small family owned and operated a school, where kung fu changes lives, is a dedicated and humble Master Teacher. Sifu Michael Kaneen has been studying martial arts and teaching for more than 20 years, which is over half his life, and he is not showing signs of slowing down. With Instructors graduating from his Certified Instructor Program and opening their own schools, he is now traveling and holding special seminars in those schools and ensuring his instructors continue their education in the Martial Arts. Sifu was also the driving force that began the schools’ deep involvement in local charities, starting with the Andre House, involvement starting in December 2007, to the Lymphoma walk this November, while continuing to serve new charities every year. These days he does his best to involve students and families with 3-4 charities events per year. Under his leadership and an amazing student body, we have raised tens of thousands of dollars for organizations like MDA, Free Art’s Association, ABC Animal shelter , and Toys-for-Tots. If all of that was not enough, he started a Youth Demo Team back in 2012 with the intent of creating a program that will teach teamwork and leadership skills; these character building blocks apply to student lives thru demonstrating martial art skills at various events and charity fundraising. Our youth learn to coordinate and oversee themselves; they are nothing short of awesome! Sifu, also, still maintains a full teaching schedule throughout the week, which all of you know, consists of top notch instruction. He holds nothing back. Even so, he still finds time to be there for his daughters on all their important milestones and slip away every now and again for a date night with his wife. All of this, and much more not mentioned, is why the opening article of our first 9 Dragons Community Connection letter is dedicated with deep appreciation to our very own Master Michael Kaneen, who would never write this himself or take credit. Thank you for all you do for your students, their families and our community!