Our Instructors

Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. is owned and operated by Sensei Ray Hughes, a 6th degree black belt in Karate with over 30 years of experience. In addition to his numerous local and regional championships, he is a two time National Champion and has competed on five US Karate teams, two of which won gold medals and one that won silver. For more information about Sensei Ray Hughes, please click here

Pamela Carrus (Karate)

Pamela Carrus (Karate)
  • Training Since 1986
  • Received her Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1996
  • Current rank - Yondan (4th degree)
  • Teaching since 1996
  • Has competed in Japan
  • 1999 Western States Championship, Womens Black Belt Kumite Individual - 2nd Place
  • 1999 Western States Championship, Womens Black Belt Kumite Team - 2nd Place
  • 1999 World Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Championship Tokyo, Japan Womens Black Belt Kumite Team - 3rd Place
  • 2001 22nd Annual Sportsmanship Invitational Womens Black Belt Individual - Grand Champion
  • 2002 23rd Annual Sportsmanship Invitational Womens Black Belt Individual - Grand Champion

Mike Carleton (Karate)

Mike Carleton (Karate)
  • Training since 1991
  • Received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1996
  • Current rank - Nidan (2nd degree)
  • Competed in over 100 local, national and international competitions

Susanna Romo (Karate)

Susanna Romo (Karate)
  • Training since 1992
  • Received her Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1999
  • Current rank - Sandan (3rd degree)

Heather Murray (Karate)

Heather Murray (Karate)
  • Began training in 1994
  • Received her Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1999

Kyle Harder (Karate)

Kyle Harder (Karate)
  • Training since 1988
  • Received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) at the age of 11
  • 3rd place in 1998 Wado Ryu World Karate Championships
  • 2nd place in 2000 Junior Olympics
  • 2000 PAN American Alternate for USA Team
  • 2008 USA Wado Team Member
  • 2010 USA Wado Team Member

Gary Frost (Karate)

Gary Frost (Karate)
  • .Started training in karate in 1995
  • Achieved the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2000
  • Achieved the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in 2007 

Karen Palino (Karate)

Karen Palino (Karate)
  • Began training in 1996
  • Received her Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2004
  • Current rank - Nidan (2nd degree)

Scott Harrow (Karate)

Scott Harrow (Karate)
  • Began training in 2001
  • Received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2005
  • Training in Kobudo (weapons) since 2003
  • Experience in Kickboxing and Judo
  • Current rank - Nidan (2nd degree)

Maria Blanco (Karate)

Maria Blanco (Karate)
  • Began training in 1997
  • Received her Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2004

Jake Watkins (Karate)

Jake Watkins (Karate)
  • Began training in 2001
  • Received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2006
  • Also received a black belt from the Goshin Karate Dojo in 2006

Mary Tatum (Karate)

Mary Tatum (Karate)
  • Began training in 1994 in Ja Shin Do
  • Started training in Wado-Ryu under Sensei Ray Hughes in 2000
  • Received her Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2005
  • Current rank - Nidan (2nd degree)

Tyler Warren (Karate)

Tyler Warren (Karate)
  • Began training in 2001
  • Received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2006
  • 2008 USA Wado Team Member
  • 2010 USA Wado Team Member
  • Actively training in submission grappling, wrestling, boxing and muay thai.

Other Arts

Phil Brier (Judo)

Phil Brier (Judo)

Sensei Phil Brier has studied Judo for 36 years and currently holds the rank of Godan, 5th degree. Sensei Brier has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and an M.B.A. from the University of NC at Charlotte. He has studied under several world renown Judo instructors including Sensei Konokogi while at the U.S. Merchant Marines Academy from 1980 to 1984. Sensei Brier date.

Santiago Armstrong (Jujutsu)

Santiago Armstrong (Jujutsu)

Your Hoteikan Instructor is Shihan Santiago Armstrong, 9th dan. He is the President and Dai Kaiden (Next in line) of the Hoteikan System. Shihan Armstrong has over 40 years experience in the Martial Arts and holds Dan ranks in Shotokan Karate, Judo and Jujutsu. Shihan Armstrong has been teaching for over 30 years and is an "International Hall of Fame" member.
Dana Abbott (Kenjutsu)

Dana Abbott (Kenjutsu)

Shihan Dana Abbott , after a quarter century of entensive Kenjutsu study, including 14 years in Yokohama, Japan, returned to the United States to Samurai manner. Master Abbott cuts away the mysteries that have shrouded the sword for generations and explains how the sword is correctly applied through his world renown courses, seminars, and DVDs.
Robert Hunt (Kobudo)

Robert Hunt (Kobudo)

Sensei Robert Hunt began his martial arts training in 1964 and holds black belt rank in three of the four major Japanese karate systems as well as Okinawan Kobudo. He has a master's degree in International Business, is a published author and speaks four languages.
Keith Sonnenberg (Wing Tsun)

Keith Sonnenberg (Wing Tsun)

Sifu Keith Sonnenberg's career in training and teaching in the martial arts spans over 40 years. Since 1980, Sifu Sonnenberg has trained directly under Great Grandmaster Professor Leung Ting in Wing Tsun as the Grandmaster's first American student. He is one of a handful of Americans that have received training directly from Grandmaster Leung Ting in the WingTsun 6 1/2 Point Long Pole techniques. Sonnenberg is a 4th Level Technician in the International WingTsun Association - North American Section (IWTA-NAS) and has been teaching WingTsun for the last 29 years.

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Our son has been doing karate at SMAC for 5 years and it's the best thing that has ever happened to him. His love for karate has taught him not only a sport, but discipline to take care of his body each day, respect for himself and others, commitment to continue karate and be the best he can be, and so important, self esteem. He is a very focused child, but we believe karate has kept him even more focused to do well in school. The SMAC dojo is more like a family then a place of business. It is a safe place that we know our son can go to practice without being concerned of his whereabouts.

Sen-sei Ray is the best! What we love is that Sen-sei doesn't just teach karate, he ends each class with some good words, and thoughts. He has the kids walk away with every day life lessons which they can't get anywhere else. We love it that parents are allowed to stay and view the classes. We must say, we love to stay and watch and listen to Sen-sei Ray teach and talk to the kids. It's amazing what we walk away with each class.

My younger son who doesn't take karate yet looks up to Tyler and we believe it's because SMAC teaches respect for all no matter who you are, where you come from, or if you practice karate. You can feel it when you walk into the dojo. When your son invites Sen-Sei Tyler for holidays and his birthday, what does that tell you? We advise anyone interested in exercise, and respect for oneself and others to check out SMAC.

The staff at Scottsdale Martial Arts studio is phenomenal! My 6 yr old daughter wanted to try karate because her friend was doing it so we gave it a shot. I know nothing about martial arts, but was very impressed by Sensei Ray Hughes. I had checked out a few other schools, but he was the first one who didn't make me feel like I'd walked onto a used car lot. He made no promises of making my daughter a black belt by the time she's 8, he didn't make me sign any contracts, and in fact, offered a few free lessons to see if she liked it. I was blown away by each of the sensei's teaching styles, their no nonsense approach and how they expect the kids to act in a mature and disciplined manner. Kids will be kids and this is a safe environment to make mistakes, grow and learn from those mistakes. One minute they are talking about Kung Fu Panda (he likes to subliminally give the kids messages) and the next they are sweating their little butts off. It's been a year and my daughter has competed in 2 local tournaments (gold, silver, gold and bronze) and she will be competing in Vegas in the Jr Olympics. I can't say enough about this place or their instructors. Sensei Tyler has been known to donate his own time for the better of the students and is leading the competition team to Vegas. If you want to reinforce the solid values, discipline and mature thinking that you teach at home, I highly recommend this dojo. Come with a sense of humor and an ounce of humility because you have got to be able to laugh at yourself and life in general.

Martial Arts studios are in every strip mall all over this city. Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, taught by Ray Hughes is by far the best! Ray has such a passion for the Martial Arts and a passion for teaching children. Humor, and "getting down to a kid's level" is Ray's unique way of teaching respect and discipline. He's truly a remarkable and unique man. Ray also teaches adults with the same passion and sensitivity to each person's individual needs. He frequently uses the exact same humor on the adults as he does the children....this brings out the child in all of us, and makes for a very enjoyable, yet highly respectful learning environment. You will love your experience at Scottsdale Martial Arts Center!!

Scottsdale Martial Arts Center has been a wonderful place for our daughter to learn karate! She has not only enjoyed learning this art form, but it has helped improve on her discipline and focus. Hannah definitely had a sense of self esteem before coming to Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, but the senseis have helped her channel her energy and focus to a new level of self assuredness and competence. Not only does our daughter wish to continue learning karate, but she is motivated and excited to come to class! The senseis teach our children at their level, but do not treat them like children. We feel lucky to have found a dojo that helps our child grow now and for the future!