Elite Self Defense Center

"Master Matt has a natural way of adapting his style of teaching to suit every child's needs. He genuinely cares for each student and builds relationships with families that have lasted for decades. Children keep interested and engaged by being able to progress instead of being held back by strict rules and too many requirements. I would be honored to recommend this business to anyone who wants their children or even themselves to grow and develop in a supportive and respectful environment."

"Reasonably priced. Works well with kids. Master Matt is there for all the right reasons."

"Excellent training program that deserves the highest recommendations. My family has been a part of this studio for about 14 years. I have watched all three of my children go through this program and benefit significantly. My husband and I have also spent years as part of this studio. I have spent numerous hours every week watching the head instructor work with children of all types and needs. I, as a professional trained and certified in the speciality of the needs and development of children, can honestly say that this studio does an excellent job. I have personally watched the head instructor work with shy and insecure kids and watched these kids turn into confident leaders. I have seen him take children with serious behavioral problems and through an appropriately firm, but caring, and never bullying, approach turn them into respectful, well behaved people. I have experienced the head instructor work with intimidated perfectionists who are afraid of making mistakes. He has never bullied, intimated, or publicly embarrassed them, but instead has helped them realize that mistakes are an important part of learning. I have seen the head instructor work with people of many types of physical or mental special needs, that would never be allowed to participate in other studios because of their perceived limitations. He does a wonderful job of tailoring the program so that these students can become skilled and effective in self defense. I have never seen him belittle anyone because of their limitations. He is very respectful of women, both in his speech and in his teaching style. Considering that martial arts is a skill that can often involve close physical contact that can sometimes potentially be embarrassing, I have seen him pay special attention to making sure that the women he teaches never feel embarrassed or compromised. The main teaching style of this studio is a well respected style of learning (observe a teacher, learn by doing, then reinforce that learning by teaching others). This studio allows students of all ranks and ages to practice teaching those of lower ranks, all while under the close, but not hovering or intimidating supervision of the head instructor. For those that reach the black belt rank, it is an expected part of their training, as it should be. If you can’t teach it to others then you really don’t know it yourself."

"I have been in this studio since I was a kid. I ended up having to leave for a few years when college came, but they welcomed me right back in when I rejoined. It has always felt like a second home, I always feel safe here. The instructors are patient when teaching me, and it has motivated me to continue way beyond what I normally would have done for martial arts. I couldn’t think of a better group of people to work with and hope I can share their business to my friends."