Our Instructors & Staff Members

Combining almost 70 years of training experience in Budo Taijutsu with various Japanese and American Shihan, our staff has attained a high degree of proficiency in this martial art and enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. The years spent devoted to training in the martial arts and the expertise attained through their extensive training uniquely qualify them as teachers and mentors. Although each instructor brings his/her own perspective to teaching, all of our instructors continue to view themselves as students as well. This outlook provides for continued growth of both the teacher and student. Here are a few of The Hidden Mountain Bujinkan Dojo's instructors and other staff members, starting with Shihan Karl Koch:

Karl Koch  (Shihan, Ju-yondan)  Shihan Karl Koch is a 14th Dan in Budo Taijutsu and an authorized instructor of the Bujinkan Dojo of Japan. He is founder of the Blacksburg Bujinkan Shibu, the Virginia Tech Ninjutsu Club and the Hidden Mountain Bujinkan Dojo. Although his twenty-six years of experience in martial arts have emphasized eastern styles, his diverse background also includes western styles such as wrestling, archery, fencing, boxing, medieval infantry combat, and Native American weaponry and traditions. In 1996, he passed his 5th Dan test and was accepted as a personal student of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi and continues to travel regularly to Japan to train with him. In the US, he continues to train heavily with various shihan, including Shihan Phillip Legare, founder of the Bujinkan Taka Seigi Dojo (see www.ShinkenTaijutsu.com); Shihan Dick Severance of the Palm Bay Bujinkan Dojo(see www.n-i-n.com); Shihan Jay Zimmerman and Shihan Chris Carbonaro.

Carol Koch  (Shihan, Judan)  Shihan Carol Koch is one of only a few women Judan (10th degree black belt) in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Her background consists of a combination of both eastern and western martial arts including Kung Fu and archery. She began training exclusively in Budo Taijutsu in 1983 and was awarded her Godan while traveling in Japan in October of 2000.

Byron Bates  (Shidoshi, Kudan)  A former member of the Virginia Tech Ninjutsu Club, Mr. Bates moved to the area in 1996 in order to train with Shihan Koch. In February of 2003, he passed his Godan test and began teaching on a regular basis at the dojo. He continues to travel to seminars across the east coast to promote training in the Bujinkan. In addition to training at the Durham facility, Shidoshi Bates has recently opened classes on Tuesday nights in Raleigh, NC. With the help of instructors Barton and Megan Cutter, Raleigh classes also incorporate DisAbled Protection and Women's Self-Defense Classes. For additional information on location and time, please contact Shidoshi Bates.

Jim Wood  (Shidoshi, Hachidan)  Shidoshi Wood is a former member of the Virginia Tech Ninjutsu Club and moved to the NC area in 1995 in order to continue his training with Shidoshi Koch. At Tai Kai 2001 in Washington, DC, Shidoshi Wood passed his Godan test and received his teaching license. He continues to train regularly with Shihans Legare and Severance and travels regularly to seminars to continue his training. Shidoshi Wood supervises teaching the basics classes and oversees training of the Hidden Mountain Bujinkan Shibu located in Harrisonburg, VA.

Sean MacBain  (Shidoshi, Nanadan) A former member of the University of Michigan Bujinkan Dojo, Shidoshi MacBain has been training in the Bujinkan since 1990. In October of 2000 during a training trip to Japan, Shidoshi MacBain passed his godan test and received his teaching license. His other martial arts experience includes judo and arnis. Shidoshi MacBain focuses on healing in his day job as a physical therapist and massage therapist.

Jerome Proffitt  (Shidoshi, Nanadan)  Jerome has been training with the Hidden Mountain Bujinkan Dojo since starting in the Martial Arts. Since starting in the art, he has shown great commitment and growth in the training. Since 2000, Jerome has traveled annually to Japan to train with Soke Hatsumi. While in Japan during October 2005, Jerome was awarded his Godan rank and Shidoshi license.

Tippu Khan  (Shidoshi) Shidoshi Khan was originally trained in Budo Taijutsu while attending Perdue University. While performing an internship in Durham, NC, Mr. Khan spent his time training with the Hidden Mountain Bujinkan Dojo and decided to relocate to the area when the opportunity arose. In May of 2008, Mr. Khan became a permanent resident of the area and renewed training at the dojo. On the annual Japan trip in 2008, Mr. Khan passed his Godan test and received his teaching license from Soke Hatsumi.

For more information about the The Hidden Mountain Bujinkan Dojo staff or training programs, please contact us at 919-309-7996 or by clicking here.