Princeton University Karate Club: About the Instructors

Much of what makes any Karate school, of course, is the quality of instruction. The Princeton University Karate Club has been blessed with several excellent instructors associated with R & R Martial Arts (formerly James Karate) in nearby Ewing, NJ.

Steven Strong has been studying martial arts since 1986. He has studied under instructors of Shito Ryu, Gojo Ryu, Shotokan, Kyukushin Kai, and Tang Soo Do karates, as well as judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu. Last December he attained the rank of 4th degree black belt or Master in Tang Soo Do karate. An alumni of the Princeton Graduate School and Karate Club, he currently serves as head instructor for the Club. Otherwise, he is known for middling level telemark skiing and being one of the world's worst singers.

I have a third degree Blackbelt in Tang Soo Do awarded by Master Denis James. I started my Martial Arts training while in the Army, stationed in central Korea in 1978. I have crossed trained in collegiate wrestling, Boxing and Gracie Brazilian Ju Jitsu. I'm a vocational education instructor for a non-profit agency that deals with at risk youth in the greater Philadelphia area. I try to use my years of training to instill confidence and a sense of accomplishment into the lives of the young people that I teach. I know that many of them lack positive roll models in their lives and that in many ways I can possitively affect them, by way of the many things I have learned about myself through my training.

Although Master Irwin does not often teach classes on campus, he does help instruct cho dan bo and black belt students through a class at R & R Martial Arts.

A student of R&R Martial Arts, learning under the instruction of Master James, Master Irwin, Master Jones and Mr. Geers, Ms. Barish has earned her 1st Degree (Cho Dan) Black Belt in American Bujutsu Kai. Ms. Barish has been a student of the martial arts for seven years. Training is an integral element of her life. She has been instructing children, young adults and adults formally for 2 years. "It is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue my growth by lending the knowledge I have been given to other martial art students. I hope, from each class I teach, that at it's end, I take with me something I had not known or something improved." Ms. Barish's teaching style concentrates on the basics. Forms (hyungs), traditional blocks, kicks and stances along with self defense techniques are kept fundamental. She demonstrates and explains with detail so that the student walks away from class with a clear understanding of what is expected from the body while performing the form or technique. Ms. Barish has also earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do and in addition to her Bujutsu Kai studies, trains in Capoiera and Jeet Kun Do. She has been a student of numerous seminars (traditional and non-traditional martial arts) and is an avid reader of books on the subject.

Master Strong (left) and Master Irwin (right) at the school in Ewing.