Sensei Darren

Sensei Darren started studying martial arts in 1986 and now holds the rank of yondan or 4th degree black belt in Isshin Kempo. In 1994, While earning his B.A. in Philosophy and Asian Studies at Drew University, he met his mentor, Shifu Goedecke. Realizing that his life’s work would consist of teaching karate, Sensei Darren set out to expand his career. By 1997, he was teaching throughout Morris, Essex and Union counties. By 1999, he was teaching at 8 different facilities, 6 days a week, and for many years, he taught 7 days a week in order to build his reputation as a full-time professional.

Sensei Darren’s teaching positions include the following:

• Head instructor and creator of the KinderKarate program for ages 4-6 and Senior instructor for ages 7 and up at the Madison Area YMCA from 1997-2014.
• Senior instructor for ages 7 and up and Head instructor of the Kicks for Kids program for ages 4-6 at the Connection For Women and Families in Summit from 1999-2014.
• Head instructor of the KinderKarate program at the JCC Metrowest in West Orange, NJ from 1999-2004.
• Head instructor of the KinderKarate program at The Montessori Children’s Academy locations in: Short Hills, Convent Station (previously located in Madison) and Chatham, NJ from 1998-2008.
• Head instructor of the after school programs at the Milton Avenue and Lafayette Avenue elementary schools of Chatham, NJ as well as the South Mountain and Wyoming Elementary Schools of South Orange and Millburn, from 1998-2004.

After studying, mentoring and teaching under Shifu Chris Goedecke for 20 years, Sensei Darren now has a permanent home in Berkeley Heights, NJ.