Florida Budokan
Staff, Instructors and Board of Advisors
Staff
Sabastian Velilla- Chief Instructor/Shihan
Latest Books: Shinto Moments- Discover your connection with this ancient Japanese way of living, available on Amazon
Banzai Charge- Japanese Swordsmanship of WWII, available on Amazon
Kyudo kyohon: Original Japanese Archery instruction manual from 1922, available on Amazon
- Renshi, Rokudan- Toyama Ryu Iaido
- Renshi, Godan- Battodo Iaido
- Renshi, Godan- Kyudo
- Renshi, Godan- Gima-ha Shotokan Karatedo
Latest Books: Shinto Moments- Discover your connection with this ancient Japanese way of living, available on Amazon
Banzai Charge- Japanese Swordsmanship of WWII, available on Amazon
Kyudo kyohon: Original Japanese Archery instruction manual from 1922, available on Amazon
- Mayumi Soeda- Japanese Outreach Coordinator
- Shihan, Godan- Shodo
Assistant Instructors:
Iaido
Basil Maroney
- Yondan, Toyama Ryu Iaido
- Yondan, Battodo Iaido
- Sandan, Kyudo
Kyudo
Chelsey Velilla
- Sandan
Kenneth Wofford
- Nidan
Deidra Maroney
- Nidan
Karatedo
Darris Allen
- Sandan
- Darris Allen began his martial arts training in 1968 at the age of 11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico under Fred Absher at Karate Incorporated. His early training included both Tae Kwon Do and Kojosho Kempo Karate within the International Kojosho Karate Federation system. He progressed through the ranks and was awarded a 2nd degree black belt in 1981. He continued his training at Sandia Budokan under Fred Tart in Nippon Koryu Karate- Do, where he further developed his foundation in traditional Japanese karate before relocating to Florida in 1990. After moving to South Florida, Darris joined the Coral Springs dojo under Shigeru Takashina. Training within the Japan Karate Association system, he was promoted to Nidan in November 2014. In Colorado, he continued his training under Bruce Green in Boulder and Yutaka Yaguchi in Denver through the International Shotokan Karate Federation, and was
promoted to Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in 2018. At that time his daughter began training alongside him and progressed to 1st Kyu (brown belt). She trained using the same belts as she progressed that Darris had earned decades earlier, reflecting a shared journey across generations. His daughter continued her training under Se Tai Sensei in Florida and was promoted to Shodan. Darris returned to Florida in 2019 and resumed training at the Coral Springs dojo under Carol Se Tai, the senior student of Takashina Sensei who assumed the role of Chief Instructor following his passing. In 2024, Darris joined Arching Oaks and has been assisting Sabastian Velilla as an
instructor at Florida Budokan. Outside of the dojo, Darris is a partner in a commercial door and glass company and works as an architectural openings consultant. His professional career has been shaped by the discipline, structure, and attention to detail developed through decades of martial arts training. He continues to train and teach within Shotokan Karate, with an emphasis on strong fundamentals, disciplined training, and respect for the traditions of karate.
Kat Principe
- Shodan
Board Members and Advisors
Sabastian Velilla- President
Chelsey Velilla- Vice President
Charlie Matza; Esquire- Legal Advisor
Chelsey Velilla- Vice President
Charlie Matza; Esquire- Legal Advisor
Ronda Maseman- Secretary
Ronda is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Children’s Book Illustration with a minor in Asian Art. A lifelong art connoisseur, she has always been drawn to the connection between visual storytelling, cultural history, and creative expression. Her professional background includes many years of work as a draftsman, where she developed a strong eye for detail, design, and technical precision. She is also an avid reader and history enthusiast, bringing a deep appreciation for historical context and artistic tradition into her creative work. Today, Ronda is a highly sought-after artist with the Mount Dora Center for the Arts. Her creative talents include prop-making, sculpture, and design, and her work can also be seen everyday at a major theme park in Orlando. Through her artistry, craftsmanship, and lifelong love of culture, Ronda continues to contribute meaningfully to Central Florida’s creative community.
Ronda is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Children’s Book Illustration with a minor in Asian Art. A lifelong art connoisseur, she has always been drawn to the connection between visual storytelling, cultural history, and creative expression. Her professional background includes many years of work as a draftsman, where she developed a strong eye for detail, design, and technical precision. She is also an avid reader and history enthusiast, bringing a deep appreciation for historical context and artistic tradition into her creative work. Today, Ronda is a highly sought-after artist with the Mount Dora Center for the Arts. Her creative talents include prop-making, sculpture, and design, and her work can also be seen everyday at a major theme park in Orlando. Through her artistry, craftsmanship, and lifelong love of culture, Ronda continues to contribute meaningfully to Central Florida’s creative community.
Jonathan Forrester- Board member
Jonathan Forrester is a former United States Navy submariner and Non-Commissioned Officer whose life reflects a strong commitment to service, education, leadership, and lifelong martial arts training. He holds a Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education from Georgia State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee. Professionally, Mr. Forrester spent more than 18 years with Texas Instruments and Siemens Energy and Automation, where he served in several key roles, including Software Engineer, Marketing Manager, and Product Manager. He later continued his career in education, recently retiring from the Sumter County School System, where he served as the Mathematics Department Chair at a county high school.
Mr. Forrester has been studying martial arts since 1972 and brings decades of experience to his training. He holds the rank of 4th Dan in Shuri-Ryu Karate, Shodan in Shurite Jiujitsu, and Shodan in Kobudo. He is currently continuing his study of traditional Japanese martial arts through Iaido and Kyudo at the Florida Budokan.
Outside of his professional and martial arts life, Jonathan is married and has one daughter.
Jonathan Forrester is a former United States Navy submariner and Non-Commissioned Officer whose life reflects a strong commitment to service, education, leadership, and lifelong martial arts training. He holds a Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education from Georgia State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee. Professionally, Mr. Forrester spent more than 18 years with Texas Instruments and Siemens Energy and Automation, where he served in several key roles, including Software Engineer, Marketing Manager, and Product Manager. He later continued his career in education, recently retiring from the Sumter County School System, where he served as the Mathematics Department Chair at a county high school.
Mr. Forrester has been studying martial arts since 1972 and brings decades of experience to his training. He holds the rank of 4th Dan in Shuri-Ryu Karate, Shodan in Shurite Jiujitsu, and Shodan in Kobudo. He is currently continuing his study of traditional Japanese martial arts through Iaido and Kyudo at the Florida Budokan.
Outside of his professional and martial arts life, Jonathan is married and has one daughter.
Wendy Smith-Wood- Board Member
Wendy Smith-Wood was born in the United Kingdom and graduated with a degree in English, followed by postgraduate studies in business. She later attended the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and served for four years as a commissioned officer in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. During her military service in Germany and England, she also led caving expeditions to Peru, Sardinia, and Crete, reflecting an early life shaped by leadership, adventure, and exploration. Following her dreams, Wendy traveled to Alaska, where she spent 12 winters as a professional musher training sled dogs for the Iditarod. In 1997, she crossed the American continent coast to coast by sled dog team, raising money for cancer charities and completing a remarkable 4,600-mile world-record journey. Her spirit of adventure also led her into mountaineering, guiding, and expedition leadership throughout Central Asia and Africa. In 2001, she met and married her husband in Alaska, where they settled on a remote homestead. She later worked as a glacier specialist while developing her career as a textile artist specializing in Japanese shibori. In 2006, Wendy established a tour company, leading artist-focused tours around the world. Today, she resides between Central Florida and Alaska. At the age of 60, she began her karate journey and continues to share her artistic gifts by teaching traditional Japanese silk dyeing at the Florida Budokan.
Wendy Smith-Wood was born in the United Kingdom and graduated with a degree in English, followed by postgraduate studies in business. She later attended the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and served for four years as a commissioned officer in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. During her military service in Germany and England, she also led caving expeditions to Peru, Sardinia, and Crete, reflecting an early life shaped by leadership, adventure, and exploration. Following her dreams, Wendy traveled to Alaska, where she spent 12 winters as a professional musher training sled dogs for the Iditarod. In 1997, she crossed the American continent coast to coast by sled dog team, raising money for cancer charities and completing a remarkable 4,600-mile world-record journey. Her spirit of adventure also led her into mountaineering, guiding, and expedition leadership throughout Central Asia and Africa. In 2001, she met and married her husband in Alaska, where they settled on a remote homestead. She later worked as a glacier specialist while developing her career as a textile artist specializing in Japanese shibori. In 2006, Wendy established a tour company, leading artist-focused tours around the world. Today, she resides between Central Florida and Alaska. At the age of 60, she began her karate journey and continues to share her artistic gifts by teaching traditional Japanese silk dyeing at the Florida Budokan.
Kannushi Kato- Dojo Shinto Advisor
.Taishi Kato is a graduate of the Master’s Program at the University of London’s SOAS School of Religion. He is the 22nd generation of his family to become a Shinto priest, continuing a long and respected hereditary tradition of service to Japanese spiritual culture. His family currently operates Ikuta Shrine in Kobe, Japan, as well as the 1,000-year-old Hattori Tenjingu Shrine in Osaka. Through this lineage, Taishi Kato has dedicated himself to preserving Shinto traditions while also helping introduce Shinto concepts to the English-speaking world. In 2020, he conducted a Shinto purification ceremony at the Morikami Museum in South Florida in conjunction with the Florida Budokan. He continues to conduct purification ceremonies for the Florida Budokan both in Florida and in Japan when members travel there, helping students and participants experience an important aspect of Japanese spiritual and cultural tradition. He has also co-written a book titled Shinto Moments with Sabastian Velilla, further supporting his mission of sharing Shinto thought, practice, and cultural understanding with a wider international audience.
.Taishi Kato is a graduate of the Master’s Program at the University of London’s SOAS School of Religion. He is the 22nd generation of his family to become a Shinto priest, continuing a long and respected hereditary tradition of service to Japanese spiritual culture. His family currently operates Ikuta Shrine in Kobe, Japan, as well as the 1,000-year-old Hattori Tenjingu Shrine in Osaka. Through this lineage, Taishi Kato has dedicated himself to preserving Shinto traditions while also helping introduce Shinto concepts to the English-speaking world. In 2020, he conducted a Shinto purification ceremony at the Morikami Museum in South Florida in conjunction with the Florida Budokan. He continues to conduct purification ceremonies for the Florida Budokan both in Florida and in Japan when members travel there, helping students and participants experience an important aspect of Japanese spiritual and cultural tradition. He has also co-written a book titled Shinto Moments with Sabastian Velilla, further supporting his mission of sharing Shinto thought, practice, and cultural understanding with a wider international audience.
Ryushin Sensei- Dojo Zen Advisor
Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, Sensei, is a Zen priest in the tradition of Zen Buddhism and a Dharma heir of the late John Daido Loori, Roshi. He served as Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery from 2009 to 2015 and is currently teaching independently. Ryushin Sensei received his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Yale University in 1976 and his Medical Degree from Albany Medical College in 1980. He first worked as a pediatrician in Portland, Maine, before serving for three years in the United States Navy as a physician. He later returned to Albany for postgraduate training in psychiatry and, after completing his residency, served as Medical Director for a community psychiatric outreach program. In 1992, Ryushin Sensei left his medical and psychiatric career to enter full-time residential training at Zen Mountain Monastery. His life’s path reflects a rare combination of scholarship, medical service, spiritual discipline, and contemplative practice. Through decades of Zen training and teaching, he continues to guide students with depth, clarity, and compassion.
Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, Sensei, is a Zen priest in the tradition of Zen Buddhism and a Dharma heir of the late John Daido Loori, Roshi. He served as Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery from 2009 to 2015 and is currently teaching independently. Ryushin Sensei received his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Yale University in 1976 and his Medical Degree from Albany Medical College in 1980. He first worked as a pediatrician in Portland, Maine, before serving for three years in the United States Navy as a physician. He later returned to Albany for postgraduate training in psychiatry and, after completing his residency, served as Medical Director for a community psychiatric outreach program. In 1992, Ryushin Sensei left his medical and psychiatric career to enter full-time residential training at Zen Mountain Monastery. His life’s path reflects a rare combination of scholarship, medical service, spiritual discipline, and contemplative practice. Through decades of Zen training and teaching, he continues to guide students with depth, clarity, and compassion.