Sibak Russell White
Your SMTMAS Founder and MC/Host
I believe in building an environment where rank and style do not interfere with the learning and sharing of martial skills and theory. The Ego is a deterrent of progress in obtaining understanding of skills learned. Focus is required to hone your skills and will develop awareness of your environment, your targets, and your weapons.
Sibak Russell holds these ranks and awards from the following:
5th Degree Black Belt in Progressive Kenpo - Green Dragon Martial Arts April 20, 2024 from Sigong Jimmy Cahill and Grandmaster Brian Oakes
Purple Belt in Kenpo Jujutsu - North American Quan Fa Association May 18, 2024 from Sifu Kevin Gunter of The Snake Pit
AMAA Legends Reward Recipient - Hanshi Jessie Bowen
August 29, 2024
Secretary Officer of North American Quan Fa Association
Summer 2024
Soke Craig 'The White Tiger' Hamm
Master Guest Instructor Instructing Friday April 25, 2025 09:00-10:00
Soke Hamm has been in the Martial Arts for 45+ years and is currently the Contract/Program Manager for the Inner Parish Security Corporation Protective Security Officers Federal Division. Soke Hamm is also the Founder of the World Budoshin White Tiger Hapkido Federation/ System and is the Ni-Dai Soke/ CEO of the Koreja Do Christian Martial Arts Association (the 2nd largest Christian Martial Arts organization worldwide). Soke Hamm has owned and operated his Martial Arts school(s) since 1994 in which he teaches Traditional Martial Arts, Combative Self-Defence (Military, Law Enforcement and Street), Mixed Martial Arts/MMA and Women's Kickboxing/Fitness. Soke Hamm was a 2003 United States Martial Arts Team Coach/Competitor and won the Work Martial Arts Champoin in Self-Defense, Weapons and Kata as well as 1996 & 2000 Alabama State Champion and 2002 Mississippi State Champion. Soke Hamm is 10X Hall of Fame Inductee has trained numerous State Karate Champions and Grand Champions from kids to adults. Soke Hamm holds rank in the following arts:
Budoshin White Tiger Hapkido - 10th Dan Founder/ Soke
8th Dan - Kwan Jahng Nim under GM Kang Rhee
Chun Moo Hapkido USA - 8th Dan - Grandmaster/Chong Kwan Jang
Namido Jujitsu/Judo - 7th Dan Senior Professor
Western Malay Fighting System - level 9 / Master Instructor
Shotokan Karate / Karate-Do / Goshin Jitsu - 6th Dan - Shihan / Kyoshi
Pasaryu Taekwondo - 4th - Sa Bum Nim
Jeet Kune Do Street Defense - Level 2 Black Belt
Kodokan Judo - 2nd Dan
Lameco Eskrima - Iklawang Baitang
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu - Blue Belt
Kyoshi Stephen Nichols
Master Guest Instructor Instructing Friday April 25, 2025 10:00-11:30
Kyoshi Nichols holds a 6th Dan in Tracy's Kenpo JiuJitsu. He celebrates almost 25 years under the tutelage of Mater Anthony Verburgt. Your first meeting with Professor Nichols will undoubtedly be upbeat and amausing. As your instructor and trainer, that persona will likely shift in the opposite direction. His core technique as a teacher is to make sure you have the ability, if need be , to survive the worst of scenarios and mike it home to your loved ones. His knowledge o f martial arts blends naturally with his love of passing along all the techniques and traditions he's absorbed in his martial arts career. He is as passionate about Kenpo Karate today as he was in the beginning, and it shines in nearly every aspect of his life. In his dojo, American Close Quarters Battle Institute Black Sheep Martial Arts, students are offered several training options: Tracy's Kenpo JiuJitsu, Tai Chi Chuan, Aerobic Kickboxing, Close Quarters Combat, Handgun Retention and Take Away, and/or Knife Defense.
*20+ years as an instructor
*Voted 2022 Instructor of the Year
*2022 Inducted to Kenpo International Hall of Fame
*Ranked several years in the Missouri and Arkansas Fighting Circuits
*20+ years with the Tracy's Karate of SW Missouri Demostration Team
*Prolific trainee of all martial arts
Sensei Damon West
Master Guest Instructor Instructing Friday April 25, 2025 11:30-12:30
Sensei Damon West has been a martial arts practitioner for over 15 years. His experience started with Sensei (Jim) Green where he obtained a Green Belt. He went on to train iwth Sensei Callahan and Sensei Williams to attan the rank of 3rd Dan in Tracy Kenpo and is currently studying to complete his 4th Dan. Sensei West has also trained in Aikido for several years under Sensei Mark Clark. Sensei west has also trained under Sensei Ajan Nikki in Tai Chi. He is now training under Soke Craign Hamm, founder of World Budoshin White Tiger Hapkido Federation. Sensei West also instructs a Kenpo class as an affliate of Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
LUNCH - Friday April 25, 2025 12:30-13:30
The Lunch Menu will be posted soon. Please contact Sibak Russell If you have any special dietary needs.
ERWIN RICAFORT SENSEI
Master Guest Instructor Instructing Friday April 25, 2025 13:30-14:30
Erwin Ricafort began his budo training in 1982. His martial arts background includes Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan Karate, Katori Shinto Ryu, and Daito Ryu. He received his first black belt in Shotokan Karate in 1988. In 1991, he began training in Aikido under Kevin Sparkman of Bushin Dojo. With the passing of Kevin Sparkman in 2014, Erwin Ricafort inherited Bushin Dojo and continues its legacy. In 2005, he began studying Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu under Phil Relnick Sensei. In 2018 Ricafort Sensei began Studying with Roy Goldberg, shihan of Kiyamakai Daito Ryu. He still studies under these instructors to this day. Erwin Ricafort Sensei received his yondan from Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, head instructor for the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. Saotome Sensei was a direct student of the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba. Ricafort Sensei often attends Aikido seminars and continues training with Mitsugi Saotome. He enjoys studying other various combat related arts expanding his knowledge in weapons and empty hand techniques. He is a dentist in Murfreesboro, TN.
Grand Master Stuart Gavin
VIP Guest Instructor Instructing Friday April 25, 2025 14:30-16:30
Grand Master Stuart Gavin has been involved in the martial arts for over 35 years.
He started his training in Shotokan during the early 1980's.
He is the founder of the Scottish Budo Association and currently teaches classes in Kempo, Ju-Jitsu, No Gi Grappling, Wing Chun, Iaido, and Arnis.
He is a seasoned competitor, attending events in the UK, Europe, and the U.S.
GM Stuart was inducted into the Grand Master Al Tracy's Kenpo Hall of Fame in 2013 and certified as a Kenpo Ambassador.
GM Stuart holds professional teaching qualifications and his company provides government regulated training for operative working in the UK security sector.
His specialties include teaching Personal Security, Threat Awareness, Close Protection, Body-guarding and Advanced Driving.
GM Stuart is also a qualified Hypnosis and NLP Master Trainer. he offers courses to martial artists and school owner in Business Governance, Hypnosis, NLP, Life Coaching, Meditation, and Counseling Skills.
The Meeting of the Masters
Friday April 25, 2025 16:30-18:00
Black Belt Only
Official Tea Ceremony Brought to you by Jinlon (Jinny) Zhong of Music City Tea @ 16:30
Meeting of the Masters Round Table Discussion and Dinner @ 17:00
Raffle at the Meeting of the Masters: Two original pieces of artwork from Ed Parker JR.
Timm Wagner III
Up and Coming Black Belt Spotlight!! Instructing Saturday April 26, 2025 09:00-10:00
I am 20 years old, a hard and driven martial artist under Grandmaster Brian Oakes for 3.5 years. Martial Arts is a part of my everyday life. You can learn alot from those lower than you as well as those above you. I work full time driving a semi-truck delivering soda drinks and alcoholic beverages. Finally I think you should ask yourself, 'What does martial arts mean to you?'
MASTER FELICIA FINN
VIP Guest Instructor Instructing Saturday April 26, 2025 10:00-12:00
Master Felicia Finn is a dynamic leader, seasoned competitor, and dedicated teacher in the world of martial arts. A 7th-degree black belt in Kenpo, with over three decades of martial arts expertise, Felicia has dedicated her life to the pursuit of excellence in martial arts, specializing in Kenpo, full-contact fighting, combat submission, grappling, and tactical self-defense. Her extensive background includes years of training and competing at national and international levels, where she won in her division several years in a row. She’s represented the U.S. on the global stage, including as a coach for TEAM USA at a world event in Italy.
Felicia’s journey began in her 20s, and her unwavering dedication led her to establish one of the most successful martial arts academies in her area. Overcoming immense personal challenges, including a serious back injury and a battle with chronic illness, Felicia found resilience through martial arts. Her perseverance through these hardships has enriched her teaching philosophy, inspiring her students to approach every obstacle with courage and determination.
Beyond the dojo, Felicia has a passion for empowering others. She teaches not only martial skills but also the life lessons of discipline, resilience, and self-confidence. Her academy, ROC Martial Arts, is a community of caring, expert professionals who instill in students the confidence, fitness, and mental fortitude needed to succeed both on and off the mat.
As a leader and innovator, Felicia is now pioneering an online Kenpo program, featuring short, impactful training videos designed to make martial arts accessible to a broader audience. With her extensive experience, competitive spirit, and dedication to personal growth, Felicia’s mission is to inspire and guide others to unlock their full potential through martial arts.
Master Felicia Finn's achievements and insights make her an extraordinary asset to the Southern Middle Tennessee Martial Arts Seminar, where she will bring her unique blend of skill, resilience, and motivational energy to every participant.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
LUNCH - Friday April 25, 2025 12:00-13:00
The Lunch Menu will be posted soon. Please contact Sibak Russell If you have any special dietary needs.
Master Steven Williamson
Master Guest Instructor Instructing Saturday April 26, 2025 13:00-14:00
Master Steven Williamson has been a martial arts student for 30+ years. He possesses multiple black belts of various degrees in arts such as Chinese Kenpo, Aikido, Shorin Ryu, with years of study and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. Master Williamson taught Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) defensive tactics for law enforcement and has had the honor to train some talented martial artists that have competed in local, national, and international martial arts competitions, as well as trained some local MMA and kickboxing talent. Currently Master Williamson is training and working for local Private Security Company in defensive and control tactics. Master Williamson will be focusing his instruction at SMTMAS on the dynamic speed princples of kenpo stricking and the power that it creates.
W. Hock Hochheim
VIP Guest Instructor Instructing Saturday April 26, 2025 14:00-16:00
Military vet, police vet, and martial arts vet with several black belts is a highly respected expert in hand, stick, knife, and gun combatives. With over 52 years of experience, his unique, systematic approach to self-defense is praised for its effectiveness, practicality, and academic rigor. Voted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame, his endorsements highlight his ability to teach complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner, making his training invaluable for military, police, and civilians alike. Hock’s “thought leader” methods are not only innovative and well-organized but also grounded in real-world experience, bolstered by his decades as an Army and Texas police investigator. This ensures that practitioners are prepared both mentally and physically for any crime or war situation. His courses are sought after globally, as he teaches in 11 allied countries each year, on the road as far away as Australia for 30 years now, reflecting his unparalleled expertise and dedication to saving lives.
Sensei Jon Alderman
Master Guest Instructor Instructing Saturday April 26, 2025 16:00-17:30
Sensei Jon Alderman has been interested in martial arts since he was 8 years old. As a beginner he started his learning with studying in several books as a pre-teen. Sensei's officially started in martial arts 26 years ago in Kenpo under Master Padgett. Sensei Alderman started training training in Kali 15 years ago.
SMTMAS is presented by:
