School History

Sensei Marton Moore & Sensei Ray Hughes

The Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. was started in 1976 under the name of Arizona Wado Karate. The school was originally located in Mesa and was owned and operated by Sensei Marlon Moore. In the mid 80's Marlon Moore came down with an illness and turned over operations to his senior student, Ray Hughes. Ray Hughes started a second school in Scottsdale in 1986 and operated both programs under that name for a time until Sensei Moore returned.

Ray's Scottsdale program started originally at the Scottsdale YMCA. A few months later he opened the main school in the Scottsdale Airpark, an industrial area not far from the YMCA. He operated both programs for 16 years until he handed the YMCA program over to one of his students.

In 1993 Ray changed the school from a karate only school to a multiple art facility. This change allowed the center to expand its services, allowing more people of every age and level of experience the opportunity to explore the modern benefits of the martial arts. Though it was not uncommon to see an occasional school host two arts, this school was unique in that it offered 10 different arts to the general public. The name of the school was changed at that time to reflect its new direction, its present name Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc.

In 1998, because of the school's continued growth, it became apparent that a new facility was needed. Tired of renting and all the problems that go with it, Ray started the process to fulfill a lifelong dream to design and build his own facility. He formed a group of individuals from the school that shared his vision. These individuals, fathers of children in the karate program, were experts in their fields of finance, law, and real estate. Together they came up with a plan to develop and build Scottsdale's premier martial arts center. After many ups and downs and almost four years to the date, the same amount of time it takes an adult to reach a traditional black belt, the doors of the Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. opened on September 5, 2002. This was a great accomplishment. Even today, it is extremely rare for a martial art school to own its own facility.

Ray Hughes will always be in debt to Jeff Holmes of Holmes & Associates, Steve Bodeman of Daum Realty, and Mike Withey of Withey Morris Attorneys at Law for their help to bring this dream of building and owning his own martial arts school to fruition. Domo arigato gozaimashita!

Today, Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. is Scottsdale's premier martial arts center. Not only is it the oldest martial arts school in Scottsdale, it also offers a wider range of arts for the public to choose from. It uses the latest technology in video and audio equipment to benefit the students in a state of the art facility that has three separate training floors, locker rooms with showers, and a play room for the siblings. All of which is presented in a traditional format.

The Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. welcomes you.

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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!