About our Instructors

Sensei/Coach Adam Tucker (Owner/Head Instructor)

Adam has been studying the Martial Arts for almost 20 years. He has competed extensively up and down the east coast in both submission grappling tournaments, Amateur Mixed Martial Arts bouts, Kickboxing and Full Contact Karate. Adam uses his competition experience to help temper our students while reinforcing the traditional principles which are the foundation for all martial arts. He is a Level 5 Certified International Instructor under the World Kickboxing Association.

Ranks:

2nd Degree Black Belt "Nidan" Goshin Do Karate

under Norman Yonkers

Level 8 (Brown Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

under Gokor Chivichyan

Head Coach BANG Muay Thai Rochester

under Duane "BANG" Ludwig

Founder Ronin Kickboxing System

Blue Belt 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu

Competition Highlights:

3-2 Amateur MMA Record

2011 NYS Grappling Championship Absolute No Gi Champion

2011 NYS Grappling Championship Advanced 1st Place

2023 American Kyokushin Karate Championship:

2nd Place Heavyweight Masters Knockdown Division

2025 World Kickboxing Series 185 Lbs. US National Champion

Member of Team USA

Samantha Palella (Instructor)

Ranks:

Purple Belt Goshin Do Karate

Level 4 (Blue Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

Orange Belt BANG Muay Thai

Brown Belt Ronin Kickboxing System

Samantha is very active in all of the programs we offer. Whether it is Ronin Fitness, Goshin Do Karate, Bang Muay Thai or Hayastan Grappling, she's always learning and helping others. She is a Level 2 Certified International Instructor under the World Kickboxing Association.

Samantha currently assists with our Young Wolves & Little Pups Classes and aids in all of our adult classes as well.

Ben Kennard (Assistant Instructor)

Ben enjoys all of our martial arts programs and also actively competes in submission grappling tournaments. His quiet demeanour allows him to work well with our new students and help them to develop their self confidence and abilities.

Ben currently assists with our Little Pups & Young Wolves classes as he continues to develop his skills as a martial artist.

Ranks:

Green Belt Goshin Do Karate

Level 2 (Orange Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

Orange Belt BANG Muay Thai

Orange Belt Ronin Kickboxing System

Colby VanKleeck (Assistant Instructor)

Colby is an active participant in our Karate, Bang Muay Thai and Grappling programs. On top of that he also actively competes in Grappling and Karate tournaments.

Colby currently assists with our Little Pups & Young Wolves classes as he continues to develop his skills as a martial artist.

Ranks:

Blue Belt Goshin Do Karate

Level 2 (Orange Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

Orange Belt BANG Muay Thai

Green Belt Ronin Kickboxing System

2nd Degree Black Belt New Era Martial Arts

Julie-Hunsinger-Tucker

(Owner/Administrator)

Julie has been a driving force of Ronin Martial Arts since before we opened. She helped to find our original location, build our schedule, design our main logo and begin initial advertising.

Currently Julie helps behind the scenes with advertising, billing, social media and several other jobs.