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The Chief Instructor
 
 
Sioux Hall (rokudan, shidoin, Chief Instructor), a student of the late Mitsunari Kanai-shihan for 28 years, is the Chief Instructor at Harvard Aikikai. Since 2003, she has been regular instructor at Harvard. In addition, Hall-sensei has served as Chief Instructor at Wheaton College and Milton Academy, as Visiting Instructor at Martha’s Vineyard Aikido Club, as well as teaching classes at Boston University’s School of Theater Arts, the Charles River Creative Arts Camp, and with the MIT Aikido Club. In 1984, Hall-sensei founded and directed the Childrens Program and taught there for 20 years, under the guidance of Kanai-shihan. She has taught seminars in Ottawa, Albany, New York Aikikai, and at the 2003 East Coast Summer Camp. In keeping with the tradition of the Harvard Aikikai, Hall-sensei is affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation. Hall-sensei brings a strong commitment to setting a high standard of Aikido in the artistic and martial tradition of her own Sensei, to creating a welcoming atmosphere of mutual respect, and encouraging everyone to discover their full potential.
     
The Instructors
Dolita Dannêt Cathcart (sandan, fukushidoin, Testing Instructor), '81, is an assistant professor of history at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. Cathcart-sensei began her study of Aikido in 1985 with Mitsunari Kanai-shihan, an uchi-deshi or disciple of Morihei Ueshiba or O-sensei, the founder of Aikido. Cathcart-sensei is an experienced Aikido instructor who has taught Aikido at Harvard University, Boston University, Milton Academy, Wheaton College, and New England Aikikai. In 2004, Cathcart-sensei participated in the Arts First Demonstration by the Harvard Aikikai. Cathcart-sensei brings a spirited sensibility to the study and practice of Aikido.
Amy Kipp (sandan, fukushidoin) was a student of Mitsunari Kanai-shihan at New England Aikikai from 1989-2004. While she is new to the instructing staff at Harvard, Kipp-sensei is an experienced instructor who regularly taught in the Childrens Program for many years under the direction of Kanai-shihan, and has participated in and run demonstrations in the Boston area. Kipp-sensei continues to teach children classes and remains dedicated to the positive benefits Aikido provides to young people. She brings the skills she's learned from working with children to adult classes, such as a focus on the individual student, respect for personal learning styles and the joy in learning Aikido.
   
Andre Brown (sandan, fukushidoin) started his Aikido training in 1991 at New England Aikikai and also holds the rank of shodan in Kenpo Karate. Brown-sensei has studied a variety of martial arts since 1988 and has participated in numerous Aikido demonstrations including Harvard Aikikai's demonstration at the 2004 Arts First festival. He has also been an instructor of both beginners and advanced students and children, has conducted self-defense courses, and participated in a martial arts instructional video at Emerson Film College. Brown-sensei brings dedication to study of Misogi (Heart of Aikido practice), in which, Misogi will "reveal your true self."

Daryl Muranaka (nidan) began his formal Aikido training in Fukui Prefecture, Japan at the Fukui Aikikai under the direction of Michio Hayashi-shihan and Testuo Kasashima-sensei, and was promoted to shodan prior to leaving Fukui Prefecture. After leaving Japan, he trained at Wago Enten Aikido in Honolulu under Peter McNally-sensei, Art May-sensei, and Dave Johnson-sensei before moving to the East Coast and joining the Harvard Aikikai. In addition to Harvard, he also practices with the MIT Aikido Club under the direction of Dick Stroud-sensei. Muranaka-sensei, in keeping with traditions of his early training, is committed to fundamentals training as well as to exploring personal expression through technique.

   
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