INSTRUCTOR TEAM
SOKE JACK TURNER, 9TH DAN
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
Soke Turner, also known as Sensei Jack, has been a professional martial arts instructor for 35 years. Jack's initiation into the martial arts began as a need to counteract bullying as a child, but soon became a passion and eventually a career path. Although it was his mother's intention to build his confidence and self-esteem, Jack saw martial arts as a fun sport that allowed him to challenge himself and compete with others.
His journey as student, teacher, chief instructor, studio owner, and Hanshi (a Japanese term meaning "teacher of teachers") began nearly forty years ago. Jack has excelled in tournament competitions and is widely respected as one of the most excellent Shaolin weapons instructors in the United Studios of Self Defense system. He has had the distinguished honor to be instructed by Grand-master and tenth degree Charles Mattera, and the Shaolin Monks from the Shaolin Temple in China.
Today he holds the honorable title of Dai Soke and the rank of ninth degree black belt in the Shaolin Kempo art and is one of the highest ranking USSD instructors still serving as a chief instructor in his own studio. In his lifetime he has served thousands of men, women, and children, teaching them in the honored traditions of Shaolin Kempo in order to promote their health, safety, and self-discipline. He lives for his family and to perpetuate the traditions perfected by United Studios of Self Defense.
SENSEI CHRISTINE RELF, 2ND DAN
INSTRUCTOR STUDIO MANAGER
Sensei Christine came to USSD in 2003 as a parent of two small boys. Thinking it would be a fun activity for them to try, she found her own interest growing after watching the many lessons and classes she would bring them to each week. After trying an intro lesson, she found that inner ninja inside. Christine went on to win multiple Sparring and Kata tournament championships. These days, she focuses on preparing students for competition and serving as a judge in the USSD tournaments.
A 2013 graduate of United Studios of Self Defense Academy, Christine transitioned from a career in sales and marketing, to pursuing the martial arts as a full time Kempo Instructor and Studio Manager, and has not looked back. Christine is also the Brown and Black Belt Test Coordinator for United Studios Corporate.
