Our Instructors

JOHN INGALLINA

Instructor Title:
Chief Instructor, UMAC
Owner of Fusion Fitness Training

Instructor Rank:
5th Degree Black Belt Hattatsu Ryu
3rd Degree Black Belt Tatsu Do
3rd Degree Black Belt Shingitai Jujitsu
Level 1 Kapap (Israeli Martial Art) Instructor with Major Avi Nardia

Years Training: 22

John has also had the privilege of years of training with experts in Russian Martial Art (Systema), Wing Chun Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Boxing and Wrestling. He is the director of the NY State Rape and Assault Prevention (RAP) Association and advisory board member at Rape Crisis Services of Rochester. Over the years, he has trained with and instructed many law enforcement and military personnel making him one of the most sought after and respected instructors in the area. John has also been one of Rochester’s top personal trainers since 1988. His clients include many of the areas top athletes and executives. All training is done at UMAC, which John has developed into a “Functional Fitness Center.”

Favorite quote: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” – Vincent T. Lombardi

PAM WRIGHT

Instructor Title:
Student Director, UMAC
Fitness Kickboxing Instructor
Personal Trainer

Instructor Rank:
3rd Degree Black Belt Hattatsu Ryu
1st Degree Black Belt Tatsu Do

Years Training: 13

Pam has been actively involved in the martial arts since she began in the art of Tatsu-Do in 1996. Her hard work and dedication earned her a second Black Belt from Hattatsu Ryu in 2002. In addition to working on her advanced rank in Hattatsu Ryu, Pam is training in Shingitai Jujitsu. As the student director, her responsibilities include developing curriculum, lesson planning, and teaching. She brings her years of knowledge and passion for teaching to a program that is second to none in the region. She is also a Fitness Kickboxing instructor at UMAC and uses her 15 years as a competitive bodybuilder to help clients who desire private training.

DAVID KALISH

Instructor Title:
Program Director, UMAC

Instructor Rank:
2nd Degree Black Belt Hattatsu Ryu
1st Degree Black Belt Shingitai Jujitsu

Years Training: 25+

David has been at the United Martial Arts Center since 2002, teaching Little Dragons and Junior classes. David comes to UMAC with a wealth of martial arts experience, having trained in Shotokan Karate, Seido Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Jujitsu. “UMAC is my second home. We have great facilities, challenging instructors, enthusiastic students, and a wide variety of programs to choose from. We have something for everyone.”

Favorite quote: “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for mankind.” — Horace Mann

Tim Oertel

Instructor Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training: 4

Over the years, Tim has dabbled with a variety of arts, including Karate, Aikido, Yoga and Tai-Chi, before finding UMAC in late 2000. He started at UMAC taking Mary Ellen’s fitness kickboxing and fitness interval training classes, and Sensei Pam Wright’s kickboxing classes. After years of encouragement from Sensei Wright, Tim finally started karate at UMAC in 2004 and has been deeply enjoying it ever since. He continues to be found still cross-training in all the classes UMAC has to offer.

DAVID KENDIG

Instructor Rank:
1st degree Black Belt, Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training: 5

David have been involved with martial arts for about 5 years, and has instructed at United Martial Arts Center for over 2 years. He originally started martial arts at UMAC as part of a homeschool program. Since then, he has continued training in the Juniors and the Adult classes.

“The core principles of karate (self-discipline, courage, and honor) that are taught to all at UMAC have been a great benefit to me in my teaching, my schooling, and my life. I really love working with the kids at UMAC and the great feeling of accomplishment that comes from knowing that I’m helping to make a positive difference in their lives.”

In addition to teaching at UMAC, David is a student at Monroe Community College, where he is studying to be an accountant and is currently treasurer of the MCC Sci-Fi Fantasy Club.

Dave Nicchitta

Instructor Rank/Background:
1st degree black belt Shingitai Jujitsu
Instructor Shoot Fighting/Personal Defense
Assistant instructor Women’s Self Defense / Rape Prevention

Years Training: 10

Dave was introduced to Sensei Ingallina and UMAC through a mutual friend in 1999 and has been training there ever since. He finds that his training at UMAC has given him greater confidence and a greater ability to do his job as a police officer with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Dave feels that the “family” feel and camaraderie at UMAC is what sets it apart from other schools.

Favorite quotes:
“The body can’t go where the mind hasn’t been.”
“If you can imagine it you can achieve it, if you can dream it you can become it.”

Kate James

Instructor Rank:
4th degree black belt Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan

Years Training: 19

Kate has been training in martial arts since 1990, when she began studying Tang Soo Do. In 2000, she earned her 4th degree black belt in that style. Shortly after that, Kate moved from Michigan to Rochester and quickly began training at UMAC because of the quality of the martial arts program that they offered and the sense of community and friendship she felt there. In 2004, work took Kate back to Michigan, but after returning to Rochester in 2006, she joined the UMAC instructors. In addition to her martial arts experience in Tang Soo Do and at UMAC, Kate has studied Shotokan Karate and Ninjitsu.

Matt Healy

Instructor Rank:
3rd degree Brown Belt, Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training: 4

Matt originally came to UMAC because he was looking for a place for his kids to learn karate: several of his eldest son’s friends were students there, and all of their parents spoke highly of the instructors. After a couple of months, he decided that he couldn’t let the kids have all of the fun, and joined the adult karate program. (He also sometimes shows up for the Saturday morning jujitsu classes “for a nice change of pace”.) He loves working with the Little Dragon and Junior programs and is extremely happy with how the training that he and his sons have received at UMAC has helped them all to become more physically fit and more confident in their abilities.

Matt also works as a software/firmware engineer in Fairport for Vanteon, and teaches Computer Science at RIT.

Favorite quote: “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson

Kylene Riley Marché

Instructor Rank:
1st Degree Brown, Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training: 2

Kylene began her training at UMAC after realizing she wanted a fitness activity where she would be learning something new every time she attended a class. She loves attending classes, and the added confidence that Martial Arts has provided.

Kylene also has worked full time since 2002 as an 11th and 12th grade Social Studies teacher for Fairport Central Schools, specializing in Government and US History courses. She also teaches through the Syracuse University Project Advance system teaching introductory public affairs courses as an SU Adjunct Instructor. She loves reading great books and her other new hobby – learning to ski!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Heidi Lyndaker

Instructor Rank:
Advanced Purple Belt, Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training:
Karate: 2 years
Fitness Instructor since 1994
Heidi Lyndaker

Over 10 years ago Heidi worked for Sensei Ingallina as a personal trainer but always had an interest in martial arts. After returning to the western New York area she decided to pursue karate and began training in the adult program when the Victor UMAC opened. Soon after beginning the program she commenced working at UMAC assisting with karate classes and instructing kickboxing and boot camp. She really enjoys the UMAC community. “It’s a wonderful group of people that are positive, encouraging, and genuinely care about each other.”

Heidi also has her masters in School Psychology and worked as a psychologist with pre-k through 12th grade for 6 years prior to moving to the Rochester area. She finds it rewarding to see the Little Dragons and Juniors improve their balance, coordination, self-confidence, and develop lasting friendships.

Jeff Polo

Instructor Rank:
Purple Belt, Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training: 2
Jeff Polo

Jeff started off at UMAC with his wife Amy and son Jake (current Advanced Green Belt – Little Dragon) doing the family classes. After a month or so, Jeff and his son moved into their own classes and his wife started doing the fitness classes.

Jeff has a lot of fun working with the Little Dragons while developing his own skills in the Adult Program. He has watched numerous kids become more self confident in their abilities in and out of UMAC.

He recommends UMAC and its instructors to all those interested in martial arts and fitness. He and his son have also enjoyed participating in the UMAC tournament each year.

Jeff also works for a technology company based in Latham, NY – IPLogic, Inc. He is a Business Development Manager focused on NeApp and VMWare solutions.

Favorite quote: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

Jen Pearson

Instructor Rank:
Green Belt, Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training: 1

Jen Pearson became interested in karate when she watched her son begin his lessons at United Martial Arts Center in Victor. She loved the enthusiasm that the instructors brought to their lessons. It made her miss her days as an elementary teacher. Jen has been working hard and has finally caught up to her seven year old son. She is currently a green belt and her Little Dragon is an advanced orange belt. She and her son love to practice karate at home and encourage each other when they share kata. Jen was excited to watch her son participate in his first tournament last year and will be happy to join him at this year’s tournament. She loves karate and all the confidence she has gained since last year: she can even boast about breaking boards with her hand! Jen enjoys teaching the Little Dragons and Juniors, and she is proud of how hard they work!

Andrew Fagan

Instructor Rank:
Green Belt, Hattatsu Ryu
Orange Belt, Isshinryu-Karate

Years Training: 3
Andrew Fagan

Andy comes to the United Martial Arts Center with a background in Isshinryu-Karate, and Aiki-Jujitsu. After his first visit to UMAC he was absolutely amazed by the well-rounded programs, talented/challenging instructors, and friendly/welcoming students. Andy loves the physical challenges and discipline of the karate program, and also participates in the Jujitsu open-mat classes regularly. He also enjoys helping teach the Little Dragons and Juniors because “they are the future martial artists of UMAC and it is awesome to see when they get excited about such an incredible martial arts program.”

Nipa Armbruster

Instructor Rank:
Orange Belt, Hattatsu Ryu

Years Training: 1 year

Nipa Armbruster left a career in fashion product development when she moved to Rochester in 2002. Since then she has had many other roles: mom to two boys, stationery designer, marketing assistant for her husband’s investment business, and now instructor and babysitter at UMAC.

She says that it was very out of character that she did not research every karate school in town before enrolling her son in the Little Dragons Program. “However, within the first five minutes of our visit, I knew that the UMAC culture and style were a perfect fit for my son. Little did I know then that I would find it to be a perfect fit for me, too.”

Nipa has enjoyed working with children, through volunteering at her son’s school, organizing playgroups, and babysitting. She considers it a privilege to be included among the staff at UMAC.

Mary Ellen Ingallina

Instructor Title:
Fitness Kickboxing Instructor
Personal Trainer

Years Training:
Fitness Instructor since 1982
Fitness Kickboxing Instructor since 1999

Mary Ellen is the developer and instructor of United Martial Arts Center’s, “Fitness Interval Training (FIT)” and “Power Fusion” classes. She also teaches an Ultimate Bag Class (UBC) and is one of UMAC’s top personal trainers. Her energy and enthusiasm emerge in every one of her highflying classes. The outcomes are toned muscles, lower bodyfat and great lungs. Mary Ellen has been a licensed NYS physical therapist since 1982, specializing in geriatric rehabilitation and pediatrics. She also holds a part time position as a physical therapist with the Rochester City School District where she has been working with children since 1985.