Our Team

Steve has trained under Senior Master Hassan for over 21 years, obtaining his 2nd Degree Black Belt and being honored with the Warrior Spirit Award. Grand Master Zulfi has since granted him the title of Sensei. Steve has continued his training, and is also a certified Tai Chi Instructor. He wishes to expand his knowledge everyday in martial arts as well as in life, continuing to grow in understanding and concept. Steve strives to transition knowledge seamlessly from dojo to real life, bringing practical understanding of martial arts to those wanting to learn. His objective for teaching is to provide knowledge and comprehension of martial arts - both practical & philosophical. He hopes to open students’ vision, allowing them to see things from a different perspective, giving them skills they can use in the dojo & throughout their life.

While Steve devotes much of his energy to martial arts he still appreciates other activities & recognizes the importance of a variety of hobbies. He enjoys cooking, traveling, sports, and nature.

He aspires to pass on his own strengths & values by teaching how to maintain a positive outlook on life, as well as the skill to approach situations with a logical, level headed, and “thinking outside the box” attitude, ultimately managing any situation into a solution.

Shayne has grown up practicing martial arts throughout his life, having started when he was 7, training under Senior Master Hassan before the Connecticut Bushi Ban chapter was established. Training in martial arts for over 22 years, Shayne has worked diligently to receive a 3rd Degree Black Belt, and has been awarded the title "Sensei."

 Outside of his career in Bushi Ban, Shayne works as a Media Operator for Disney at ESPN, and has worked in sports broadcasting behind the scenes at NESN, Yale University, Quinnipiac University, Columbia University, and High Point University, where he attended college. He has also combined his martial arts and television backgrounds, working on Cage Titans MMA broadcasts. Along with his love of sports and martial arts, Shayne also enjoys music, video games, movies, & comedy.

Shayne hopes to help our students improve in both their martial arts & their self-confidence, the same way his mentors have done for him. He stresses the importance of an atmosphere where learning & self-growth happen every time someone walks into the school, providing this for students of all ages. 

Having started martial arts when he was 8 years old, Spencer has been with Bushi Ban for more than 13 years. Having earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Bushi Ban, he has also trained under Senior Master Hassan in the Yamanni-Ryu weapons system, receiving his 6th Rank.  

    Spencer hopes to pursue a career in Political Science. As well as Martial Arts, he enjoys basketball, golf, and playing video games. He considers his greatest strength above all else to be his sense of humor.

Spencer's goal for teaching is to affect as many students in a positive way as possible, having an impact that they may carry with them throughout their life.

For the first 5 years of Liam’s martial arts career, he practiced under Roseanne Fusco’s school, Assembly of the Fighting Arts, earning his 1st Degree Black Belt in Shotokan. Liam participated in Krane tournaments with AFA’s competition team. He was awarded State and National Champion in the Krane rating System, ranked 9th in the world top ten in NASKA. Liam went on to train and receive a 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Since coming to Bushi Ban 9 years ago, Liam has earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt. He now is focused not only on developing his own skills, but also helping students find the same passion he found in martial arts. 

Liam enjoys spending his free time writing, reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends. He is currently studying at Southern Connecticut State University.

Liam wishes to equip students with tools that have helped him in his life and to give students experiences he hopes they can grow to appreciate, even if it’s only later in life. He also hopes to pass on some of his own knowledge and have a positive influence in someone’s life.

Trish has been with Bushi Ban for over 5 years, having earned her Black Belt while also studying Tai Chi. Trish is our Little Dragons Instructor and “Keeper of the Desk.” Her goal is to help students gain confidence, and to help each student work to the best of his/her ability while also having fun!

Outside of the dojo Trish is a Pediatric occupational therapist, with over 30 years of experience working with children/young adults who have neuromuscular and/or sensory processing disorders. Trish enjoys just about anything outside, as well as cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends and sharing laughter!

Trish’s immediate goals are to keep learning and training, on and off the mat, and always exhibiting a Black Belt spirit!

Jen’s passion is to help others, no matter the setting, to achieve their optimal wellness. Jen obtained certification in Tai Chi from Senior Master Hassan and continues to study at the Tai Chi for Health Institute, her most recent certification being in Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. 

Outside of the dojo, Jen is a registered nurse and enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family.

Gracie is fairly new to the Bushi Ban system, with almost 4 years under her collar now. She started participating in Zoom classes over Covid before becoming an integral part of “Team Shelton.” Gracie’s passion is to help students feel comfortable when they are nervous and to make new friends!

Outside of the dojo Gracie enjoys belly rubs, eating napkins and carrying/leaving her “babies” all over the house. Her greatest strengths are that she is gentle and sweet, loves all people, and does an uncanny Chewbacca impersonation!!

Gracie is continuously working on earning her Black Collar!!