Emily B.
We’re very thankful to have found Kells Karate Academy! They are so welcoming and really dedicated to meeting students where they are…all the while building confidence, focus, and skills. My son is still excited before every class…and that’s saying something after 8+ months.

Julie B.
Thank you and the entire Kells Karate Academy community for the opportunities you have given our son and so many others. The lessons in grit, in dedication, focus, determination, self-love and most of all, a sense of community where all are welcome and honored! Kells Karate Academy is a true gift! Frankie said it best last night when he was getting in bed and we told him that we were proud of him. He said: “We worked hard!”

Bonnie A.
I just wanted to share a happy realization we had watching Spencer. We didn’t know when we started this a year ago that Karate was going to play such a large role for a kid who never seemed interested in any sport or activity. This whole experience for us has been so positive, and we are really grateful for you and the dojo! He practices his kata, and then will do this around the house for an hour 😂

Allyson T.
Very encouraging news: Arlo is embracing karate even more. I had set expectations with him at the outset that he needed to do two karate classes each week—that was the deal. So he’s stuck to the Monday and Saturday classes. But last night he asked if he could do THREE classes each week and wanted to add the Tuesday dojo class to his routine. Very nice to hear him volunteer that, another sign of his growing confidence.

Lisa N.
We have absolutely noticed Elanor’s personal growth and improved confidence. I think the in-person classes have made a difference! She’s even talked of wanting to be a “helper” one day like some of your older, higher belt students. We are very proud of her! We appreciate all you (Jun Shihan Karen) do too, and the positive role model you are, especially to the girls out there!

Rebecca K.
Ethan loves your class. I love your class. You have a great teaching style and it really works for Ethan. Finding you guys has been a huge game changer for Ethan. I can see his stamina increasing in other activities. It’s really great.

Kim C.
I am so happy to see outside classes!!! I had thought Drew would have participated in an indoor class by now, but he is too apprehensive. I think outside might make him feel better.

I appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you have put into the virtual, in-person, and now outside classes. It has been so helpful to have a routine!

Aiesha T.
My daughter really enjoyed the Mulan Virtual Summer Camp. It was impressive to see her engaged online for the entire time. The Social-Emotional portion was phenomenal and allowed her to reflect daily on her feelings. In addition, the Arts and Craft portion brought out her creative side! Also, the daily Karate training and conditioning continues to keep her in shape during these unprecedented times. I highly recommend this Summer Camp for all children!

Hannah L.
I really like the “Word of the Week”. I can see the great improvements of Zachary doing his stuff, like tooth-brushing, playing piano , et. al. after learning words like focus, self-control and confidence each week. I appreciate it!

Senpai Matthias
April 2017. In New York City I stood on the dojo floor, my new black belt tied around my waist. It felt stiff and heavy, and maybe a little too big. When I first started karate, I was only four years old. Six years later I achieved black belt level. Resilience for me means working through years of tough training with lots of ups and downs. My instructor told me less than one percent of karate students make it to black belt, but I pushed through the challenges and tiredness. It is an achievement that I truly am proud of.

Karate also has made me reflective. In 1st grade, I was bullied by another boy at school. I knew, according to my dojo’s rules, that I should not fight back and instead looked for alternative solutions. I talked about it with my karate teacher and parents, and together we were able to resolve the situation without my ever retaliating.

Over the years, I have attended three different elementary schools. It can be challenging to feel like “the new kid”, but karate has been my stabilizer and made me feel at home. As a black belt, part of my responsibility is to spread the knowledge of karate or to put it differently, to teach karate classes to the lower belt levels. My experience with frequently changing schools helps me to empathize with the troubles students new to the dojo sometimes face.

Finally, the dojo is a place that helps me work through me problems. No matter how many times I have felt like giving up and considered quitting, I never end up doing that. And I don’t see myself quitting in the future either. Karate makes me feel strong and proud, and I believe it always will.

Mel M.
Pamfilis Karate Academy is the best place for families to train! I joined the academy so that I could share in an activity with my kids and so that I could gain strength and self-defense techniques for myself. Jun Shihan Karen is amazing with kids, keeping them focused and engaged throughout their practice. She is very experienced in working with children with special needs including ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, etc. Jun Shihan Karen is also great in accommodating the special physical needs of some of her adult students who come in at a variety of physical levels. Overall, the dojo is a peaceful but invigorating place to learn self-defense and self-confidence.

Chip W.
It was the best day ever of soccer for us. Cade’s experience with karate has really paid off in soccer; he is so self-aware of his body, he moves with precision, and in a clutch moment, he can always come through. I attribute much of this ability to what you have taught him; the confidence, the discipline, the coordination and self-awareness, so… thank you so much!

Dan V.
Recently my daughter played Juliet in her 3rd grade Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet performances. She had to memorize 28 stanzas and then perform them, from memory, in front of both parents and the entire lower school. She did great and really seemed to have a good time. I attribute her comfort in front of people, her ability to focus and memorize complex sequences, her calm demeanor and joy of performance to her 4 years of experience taking karate at PKA. Thank you Jun Shihan Karen!