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Guro Dave

Founder and Head Instructor

Guro Dave started his training in 1990 in Kenpo Karate. Nearly a year and half later and after rapidly rising to the level of Brown Belt, his true passion for the Martial Arts took hold when he met Grandmaster "Professor" Remy Presas at a Modern Arnis summer camp. Dave then realized that the Filipino Martial Arts was more conceptually relevant to his beliefs and training style, and so he started training in it exclusively. It was shortly after opening a Martial Arts school in Easthampton, Massachusetts in 1997 that he was promoted to Black Belt in Modern Arnis by Grandmaster Remy A. Presas. Over the years he has continued to advance in Arnis, in addition to earning a Black Belt in Zen Do Kai, and pursuing training in many other styles. He has trained hundreds of students in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Texas.  

In 2012, he founded Arnis de Malaya using his unique blend of Martial Arts experience.  This includes things not traditionally thought of as Martial Arts, such as firearms training and improvised (modern) weapon training.  He is able to incorporate these separate tactics and styles into one fluid philosophy of movement.  The Guro also continues to learn and grow in rank, knowledge, and experience.  He has received instruction from Masters who are considered among the 'Who's Who' of the Martial Arts world.

  • 4th degree Black Belt in Arnis De Malaya.

    • Awarded by Martial Arts Masters Association and recognized by International Combat Arnis Union.

    • Certified Founder and Head Instructor by the International Combat Arnis Union.

    • Master Instructor in Arnis De Malaya Filipino StickFighting and Martial Arts.

  • 1st degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis, awarded personally by Grandmaster (GM) Remy Presas and recognized by the International Modern Arnis Federation and the International Combat Arnis Union.

    • Certified Advanced Arnis Instructor by GM Remy Presas and the International Modern Arnis Federation.

  • Black Belt in Zen Do Kai, awarded and recognized by Zen Do Kai International.

    • Certified Head Instructor by the Kicks and Sticks Filipino Martial Arts Academy.

  • Brown Belt in Kenpo Karate, recognized by the International Combat Martial Arts Association.​

 

Guro Dave has received additional formal training in Shito-Ryu Karate under Shihan Paul Cantin, Toga-Kure Ryu, Kobudo, Judo at the National Judo Institute in Colorado, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kombatan under Ernesto Presas, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, Sayoc Kali under Tuhon Chris Sayoc, The Dog Brothers Martial Arts by Punong Guro Marc Denny, Small Circle Jujitsu under GM Wally Jay, and Firearms training under Tom Russell at American Firearms Academy.

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Guro Dave is a lifetime member of the following Martial Arts organizations:

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