Jun Shihan Karen Kells-Pamfilis
6th Degree Black Belt
Owner & Chief Instructor
Jun Shihan Karen has been training in Seido karate since 1984. She has a Masters in Religious Education from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland and a Bachelors in Communication Arts from College of Notre Dame of Maryland.
Karen is an avid cyclist and has completed several century bike rides and long list of organized charity bike rides. In August 2018, she took first place and QOM (Queen of the Mountain) in the Harrisburg 30 mile Gran Fondo. She has also completed 2 marathons and numerous triathlons, including the Diamondman half Ironman.
Fitness is Karen’s passion and she is currently working on certification as a personal trainer. She brings her enthusiasm for fitness, hard work and fun to the dojo floor.
Jun Shihan Tom Culbertson
6th Degree Black Belt
Adult Instructor
Kyoshi Tom started his Karate training in 1980 and attained the rank of 1st kyu. After an extended break from training he returned in 1991 and received his Shodan Blackbelt (1st degree) in the Bushi-Shin style of traditional Japanese Karate. Moving to the Seido style of Karate in 2000 he has now attained the level of Kyoshi, senior teacher. Kyoshi Tom’s profession is a landscape contractor. Working with his wife Jennifer, together they have run a local landscaping company for the past 20 years.
Kyoshi David McManus
5th Degree Black Belt
Instructor
All-ages Instructor – Kyoshi David has been training in Seido Karate since 2000 and teaching since 2005. Due to frequent travel to locations where there are no Seido dojos, Kyoshi David has trained in a number of other styles including boxing, Krav Maga, Tae Kwon Do, and MMA.
He is a Baltimore native and graduate of Loyola Blakefield in 2006 and Loyola University of New Orleans in 2010. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Languages and Religious Studies. Kyoshi David has spent time in 8 foreign countries, including Egypt until the revolution forced his return!
Senpai Mark Vitello
2nd Degree Black Belt
Instructor
Senpai Mark is a native of New Jersey. Mark begin training in Seido Karate at Honbu (the Worldwide headquarters of Seido Karate) in New York City during the summer of 1987. While taking college classes close to home, he would commute to NYC to train when his class schedule allowed. Training took a “long pause” when he move to Boston upon transferring to a new college.
Mark has a Masters Degree in Supply Chain Management from Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.
Mark is married with four sons. After years of moving around the Northeast, the family put roots down in the greater Baltimore area. Full time karate training resumed in 2012. Thirty years after starting his karate journey, Mark achieved his Shodan rank (1st degree) in the fall of 2017. You’re never to old to start! He is thankful for the guidance he receives from senior instructors and strives to “pay it forward”. He and all four of his boys train together at Kells Karate Academy.
Senpai Dan Vaslow
2nd Degree Black Belt
Instructor
Mel Metro, M. Ed.
Office Manager
Mel Metro is the office manager and a KinderKicks teacher at Pamfilis Karate Academy.
She has been studying Seido karate for 2 ½ years, is currently a Green Belt and is steadily moving towards her goal of earning her Black Belt. She has a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and is 2/3 of the way through her Doctorate of Education program. Mel is also working on her martial arts Instructor Training Certification with Satori Instructor Alliance.
Mel’s personal philosophy of forever learning at home, at work and at play is evident in everything she does. If she is in the dojo, her kids are often found there as well, either watching her work or completing their own training. Her experience with her children benefits her greatly in working with the students in the dojo as does her love of teaching.
Mel works hard to meet the needs of every student and their families in the dojo while also making sure that everyone works together to create a close-knit PKA community. Her continued hard work is an inspiration to her fellow karate-ka and she looks forward to seeing you in the dojo!