Our Instructors

Head Instructor

Head Tai Chi Instructor

Founder

Youth Instructor

Youth Instructor

​Sifu Jon has been dedicated to martial arts since 2006, earning a 1st-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 2nd-degree black belt in Karate before returning to the Ithaca area and joining Finger Lakes Shaolin-Do in 2011. Since then, he has achieved the rank of 3rd-degree Black Belt and become the Head Instructor of the school, guiding growth and advancement of every student who trains here. 

Drawing on years of experience across multiple disciplines, Sifu Jon has refined his understanding of the unique strengths that Shaolin Kung Fu offers. His classes emphasize both the fundamentals of conditioning - strength, flexibility, and endurance - and the practice of kata and application, where students developer power and precision through structural integration. Beyond technique, he guides students toward the heart of Kung Fu: a practice that unites discipline and creativity, challenge with growth, and effort with personal expression. 

Sifu Katelyn has been studying Tai Chi since 2012 and has practiced meditation since her teenage years. She became a part of the Finger Lakes Shaolin-Do family in 2017 after moving to Ithaca with her family and is now a senior student, a 2nd-degree Black Sash, and the leader of the school's Tai Chi program. 

Her teaching is rooted in a deep love of internal Chinese martial arts, with an emphasis on principles such as awareness and intention, active relaxation, structural integration, social connection, and embodied spirituality. She is especially interested in the growing body of scientific research on Tai Chi as a health-promoting practice, which complements her focus on creating a learning community that is both trauma-sensitive and welcoming to all.

Through her classes, Sifu Katelyn helps students explore Tai Chi not only as a martial art, but also as a pathway to balance, resilience, and well-being in daily life. 

Sifu Kevin Harris, a 4th-degree Black Belt, began his martial arts journey in 2003 under the guidance of Master Ben Bender of the Austin Shaolin-Do School while Master Ben was attending Cornell University. As the senior student of the Ithaca group, Sifu Kevin assumed leadership when his teacher returned to Texas, and from that moment he has dedicated himself to building and growing what is now Finger Lakes Shaolin-Do. 

As founder, Sifu Kevin has shaped the school's character and culture around his core philosophy: creating a supportive environment where each student can pursue their own highest potential. He views martial arts as a transformative force - one that can inspire resilience, confidence, and meaningful change in the lives of those who practice it. 

Passionate and attentive in his teaching, Sifu Kevin invests deeply in the growth of his students, offering both guidance and space for individual discovery. He believes that martial arts is not a single path, but a personal journey, and he considers it an honor to walk alongside his students as the find their own way through Kung Fu.  

Carol joined Finger Lakes Shaolin-Do in 2018 and is now a senior student, 2nd-degree Black Belt, and one of the primary instructors in the Kids and Youth classes. Her martial arts approach is grounded in a deep curiosity - she sees Kung Fu not just as movement, but as a lens for exploring life, the natural world, and human potential. 

Carol's classes bridge physical technique with broader understanding - showing students how lessons learned on the mats connect to perseverance, observation, and mindful growth. She encourages each student to embrace challenge with patience and persistence, nurturing a resilient spirit as they progress through every drill and kata. 

Her classes are more than skill-building - they are invitations to reflect, to connect body with mind, and to become attentive explorers of one's own abilities. In Carol's care, each person learns that martial arts is not just about strength - it's about being present, curious, and ever-growing. 

Cesar joined Finger Lakes Shaolin-Do in 2018, brining with him the spark of a lifelong learner and a love for Kung Fu that began with the classic martial arts films he grew up watching. Since then, he has immersed himself in practice and study, rising through the ranks to become a senior student and a 2nd-degree Black Belt. 

Beyond his training on the mats, Cesar is always exploring the rich history of Kung Fu - reading, researching, and sharing stories that connect modern practice to ancient traditions. This curiosity and passion for discovery shine through in his teaching, especially in the Kids and Youth classes where he is a primary instructor. 

Cesar's classes are designed to be both fun and imaginative, filled with creative drills and challenges that inspire students to push beyond what they thought possible. His approach reflects his own dedication to growth: every lesson is not only an opportunity for his students to learn, but also a chance for him to continue evolving alongside them. 

Sifu Dan joined Finger Lakes Shaolin-Do in 2012 after training in Wing Chun Kung Fu for several years, and quickly became a dedicated member of the school community. As a senior student in 2019, he spearheaded the search for a larger space to accommodate the school's growth, helping to establish its current home. In 2020, he stepped into the role of School Manager, and under his leadership, the school has flourished, expanding programs for students of all ages. 

Sifu Dan's vision for the school extends beyond the training floor. He believes that martial arts should inspire transformation not only in body and mind, but also in community. His leadership has created opportunities for students to challenge themselves through seminars and sharpen their skills in class, while also fostering friendships and connections through events that bring the school family together. 

In teaching, Sifu Dan embodies the same spirit of balance and growth. His classes emphasize the precision and wisdom of traditional Shaolin technique, paired with modern drills that spark creativity and keep training alive and engaging. Whether working with children, adults in Kung Fu, or Tai Chi practitioners, he encourages students to discover their own strength, resilience, and potential - reminding them that Kung Fu is both a personal journey and a shared path of growth.