Instructor Profiles

The American Jiu-Jitsu Club at MIT was founded by Sensei Jason McCarthy (3rd Degree Black Belt). It is currently run by Sensei David Dunmeyer (3rd Degree Black Belt). For more information on individual instructors, choose one of the following:

Sensei Jason McCarthy: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Founder

Sensei Jason McCarthy is currently a third degree black belt (sandan) in the American Jiu-Jitsu system of Self-Defense. He has been practicing jiu-jitsu since 1989. He was originally trained in Long Island, NY by O'Sensei Joe Puleio (7th dan), the creator of our style of jiu-jitsu. At MIT he became a brother in Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and started the club with only a few of his fellow Sig Eps. Now the club has grown to incorporate 40+ members from the entire MIT community. Sensei Jason is currently working on Wall Street and living in New York City, where he now resides as an Instructor and founding partner with Sensei Tony Avila for New York Jiu Jitsu, American Jiu Jitsu Centers - Manhattan Dojo.

Sensei David Dunmeyer: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Head Instructor

Sensei Dave has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 1996. He currently holds the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt), and is a certified instructor in American Jiu-Jitsu. Sensei Dave received both an S.B. and M. Eng. in Course 6-1 (Electrical Engineering), and received his Ph.D. at MIT in the Photonic Systems Group. Sensei Dunmeyer has also studied Karate, Judo, American Taiho Jitsu, Krav Maga, Kick Boxing, and greatly enjoys cross-training with other MIT martial arts clubs. He also teaches First Aid as well as trains instructors for the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association and is a Massachusetts State Certified EMT. Sensei Dave is the Head Instructor here at MIT, so please feel free to e-mail him if you have any questions. Sensei Dave has also taught a number of PE classes for the MIT Physical Education department, incuding: Jiu Jitsu PE, Self-Defense for Everyone PE, and Mixed Martial Arts PE.

Sensei Tony Avila: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Former Head Instructor

Sensei Tony is currently a third degree black belt (Sandan) in American Jiu-Jitsu system of self-defense. He has been studying jiu-jitsu since 1994, and was the head instructor here at MIT for four years. He trained directly under the founder of the American Jiu Jitsu club here at MIT, Sensei Jason McCarthy. He has held rape prevention seminars at local Universities including Simmons College. Sensei Tony currently works on Wall Street and lives and trains in New York.

Sensei Godfrey Inniss: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Godfrey is currently a first degree black belt (Shodan) in American Jiu-Jitsu system of self-defense. He has been studying jiu-jitsu since 1994. He trained directly under the founder of the American Jiu Jitsu club here at MIT, Sensei Jason McCarthy. In cooperation with Sensei Tanya (Harvard '2001) and Sensei Tony, he has held rape prevention seminars at local Universities including Simmons College.

Sensei Dara Sobo: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Dara has been studying the art of American Jiu-Jitsu since 1994. She currently holds the rank of Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt. In her Academic endeavors, she earned her B.S. then her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Simmons College. Dara is an avid ballet dancer and has been since she was a child. Sensei Dara currently lives in New York.

Sensei Felix Dashevsky: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Former Head Instructor

Sensei Felix has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 1995. He currently holds the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt). Felix is a graduate of MIT with a B.S. in Course 8 (that's Physics for non-MITer's). He graduated Boston University School of Law in 2002, and now lives and works in New York City.

Sensei Ken Clary: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Ken has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 1996. He currently holds the rank of shodan (first degree black belt), and is a certified instructor in American Jiu-Jitsu. Sensei Ken received his S.B. in Course 3 (Material Science).

Sensei Patrick Menard: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Patrick has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 2000. He currently holds the rank of Nidan and is a certified instructor in American Jiu-Jitsu. He is a graduate of Course 6.

Sensei Lester McCoy: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Lester has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 2000. He currently holds the rank of Nidan and is a certified instructor in American Jiu-Jitsu. He is a graduate of Course 16 and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. from BU.

Sensei Andrew Frazer: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Andrew now teaches at New York Jiu Jitsu (like so many other of our black belts). We were sad to see him go... but he still comes back once in a while.

Sensei Terrell Bennett: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Terrell has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 1999. Sensei Terrell is a graduate of Course 6-2 (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science).

Sensei Terraun Jones: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sensei Terraun has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 1999. He graduated Course 10 (Chemical Engineering).

Sempai David Van Valen: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sempai David has been training in American Jiu-Jitsu since 2000. He currently holds the rank of 1st kyu Brown Belt, and is a certified instructor in American Jiu-Jitsu. He now lives and trains in southern California.

Sempai Berit Johannes: American Jiu-Jitsu @ MIT Instructor

Sempai Berit currently holds the rank of 2nd kyu brown belt, and is a certified instructor in American Jiu Jitsu. She teaches and trains at MIT.

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© David Dunmeyer, 2004