All TCAC instructors have practiced at the dojo for many years. Through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s the dojo was in the Midwest region of the USAF under Akira Tohei, Shihan. Since 2004 it has been under the Eastern region of the USAF under Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan and since 2023 under members of the USAF technical committee. These teachers have had a major influence on all the TCAC instructors.
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Jeff Albright, Rokudan (6th Dan), began studying Aikido in 1992 at Twin Cities Aikido Center under Akira Tohei Shihan. He found himself in Japan training under the Masando Sasaki Shihan and Morihei Iio Shihan lineage. He has trained with over 30 aikido shihan throughout Japan and has been influenced by Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, and Haruo Matsuoka Shihan. He also studied Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido (nidan, 1998) and attended ichikukai ascetic training.
Cal Blanchard, Rokudan (6th Dan), began studying Aikido in 1981 under Akira Tohei Shihan. Clyde Takaguchi Shihan, Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan and Donovan Waite Shihan have also been strong influences. Cal holds the teaching credential of shidoin within the USAF. He has also studied Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Karate (shodan, 1975) and Jiu Jitsu under Sandy Vongries. Cal is Chief Instructor at the Twin Cities Aikido Center.
Jeff Albright, Rokudan (6th Dan), began studying Aikido in 1992 at Twin Cities Aikido Center under Akira Tohei Shihan. He found himself in Japan training under the Masando Sasaki Shihan and Morihei Iio Shihan lineage. He has trained with over 30 aikido shihan throughout Japan and has been influenced by Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, and Haruo Matsuoka Shihan. He also studied Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido (nidan, 1998) and attended ichikukai ascetic training.
Wayne Brown, godan (5th Dan), began studying Aikido in 1967 under Ty Uno Sensei. In the 1970’s he began studying under Akira Tohei Shihan. He has also been influenced by Clyde Takeguchi Shihan and Gordon Sakamoto Shihan. Wayne has been a member of TCAC since 1976 and currently is the Chief Instructor for the morning classes.
Jerry DeWees, yondan (4th Dan), began practicing Aikido in 1973. He has practiced in Iowa City, Des Moines, Tallahassee, New York, and St. Paul, and has been at TCAC since 1992. His primary influences have been Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan and Akira Tohei Shihan. Jerry is very grateful to all of the people who have taught and trained with him over the years, and he tries very hard to pass along what he has learned from them to the students at TCAC.
Mick Cipra, yondan (4th Dan). Mick teaches the Thursday basic class. He also teaches calculus at Wayzata High School.
Alan Smith, sandan (3rd Dan), finally began studying Aikido under Akira Tohei in 1992 (after 17 years of searching for the opportunity). Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Donovan Waite Shihan, Harvey Koenigsberg Shihan, Clyde Takeguchi Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan have all been strong influences. Forever grateful to all who have taught him, Alan attempts to share what he has learned in adult evening classes.
Robert Gutierrez, sandan (3rd Dan), practices and holds black belts in both Aikido and Iado. He regularly attends national seminars to learn from UAF Technical Committee members. Robert has a passion for ukemi and dynamic throws. He teaches the Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon adult and the Saturday morning youth classes.
Brad Delapena, nidan (2nd Dan), began studying Aikido in 1996 at TCAC. Brad teaches adult evening classes.
Eric Evenson, Nidan (2nd Dan), started aikido in 1996. “The Aikidoist joins in the collision of opposites, until the pain within is transformed into the joy expressed. Happiness never happens in the future. It always arises in our ‘now'”
Vickie Selep, sandan (3rd Dan), teaches youth classes. She also manages the website and various collateral, brochures and posters for seminars and such. She has been studying Aikido since 1996, received her shodon in 2010 and her nidan in 2017.
Cullen Sarles, (nidan 2nd Dan)
Pete Discenza, nidan (2nd Dan), teaches morning classes. Pete started in Aikido in 1996, and received his shodan in Sept 2012. He also participated in a a community ed Aikido class in Eagan and has been teaching that program since 1995. He is retired military and airline pilot. In addition to his Aikido training, he did judo in HS, college and military.
Zach Biesanz, nidan (2nd Dan), started training with Tom Moore sensei in Mankato in 2000 and later spent a decade training at New York Aikikai. He focuses his teaching on structure/alignment, engaged ukemi, and internal power. He also holds godan (5th dan) in Toyama Ryu battodo and yondan (4th dan) in seitei battodo.Zach Biesanz, nidan (2nd Dan)
Stephen Koehler, shodan, teaches morning classes. Steve began studying aikido in 1979 under Walter Muryasz in San Diego, CA. After a long break, he joined TCAC in 2007, and received his shodan in 2017. Steve is intrigued by the ideas that less can be more and that strength comes from relaxation and proper form.
