Our instructors
Meet the teachers behind our tradition.
Across three schools, our instructors carry the Masters tradition forward — each with their own history and a shared commitment to patient, considered teaching.
Mount Pleasant
Teaching at Mount Pleasant
Mike St. Amand
Mount PleasantCo-founder and chief instructor. Mike grew up near Boston and moved to Charleston in 1985. He has studied at China's Shaolin Temple and continues his Kempo, Kung Fu and Tai Chi practice with teachers including Bob Nohelty, Yao Li and Joshua Grant.
Wendy Burkhardt
Mount PleasantA lifelong athlete and longtime Charleston resident, Wendy's training combines Kempo, Kung Fu, weapons and Tai Chi with a fitness background.
Paul James
Mount PleasantPaul began Judo at age five, trained with the USC Judo team, and has taught martial arts since 1982. He has trained Kempo with Mike since 1997.
Wally Freitag
Mount PleasantWally continued his martial arts after moving from New York to Charleston. His teaching includes Kempo, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and traditional weapons.
Bobby Smith
Mount PleasantBobby's study includes Kempo, Kung Fu and Tai Chi, and he has lived in Charleston most of his life.
Philip Beauregard
Mount PleasantCo-founder. Phil's instruction shaped a generation of Masters teachers, including those who went on to lead schools across Greater Charleston.
North Charleston
Teaching at North Charleston
Yan Agrest
North CharlestonYan grew up in Sukhumi on the Black Sea and moved to Charleston with his family at twelve. He began training at West Ashley and became an instructor under Phil Beauregard in 1997. His philosophy helps children and adults find their own rhythm and abilities.
CJ Johnson
North CharlestonCJ grew up in the Charleston area and started at this school at twelve. He has a strong mentoring focus and experience helping children work through challenges.
Billy Ilderton
North CharlestonBilly began martial arts training in 1984 and became a certified instructor as a teenager. His studies include Shaolin Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Wu Shu and Tai Chi. He emphasizes individual attention, a strong foundation in basics, and a positive training environment.
James Island
Teaching at James Island
Reggie Westbrook
James IslandReggie began Kempo in 1981 and moved to Charleston in 1996, with training also in Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Wushu. His teaching focuses on respect, discipline, self-control, kindness, listening and mental and emotional progress alongside physical skills.
James Carver
James IslandJames began studying Shaolin Kempo in 1999 and began teaching at Masters Studios in 2002. His practice also includes Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Wushu.
A first step
Find a teacher you trust.
Request an introductory lesson and meet an instructor at the school nearest you.