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
4th Degree Black Belt Shingitai Jujitsu
1st Degree Black Belt Koryu Uchinadi
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:
4th 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:
3rd Degree Black Belt Hattatsu Ryu
2nd 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 quotes:
“A Martial Arts Dream is your mind’s way of practicing without you…” — David Kalish
Tim Oertel
Instructor Rank:
2nd 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.
Erik Piazza
Instructor Rank:
2nd Degree Black Belt, Hattasu Ryu
Years Training: 6
Having never previously explored martial arts, Erik attended his first karate class in 2005 and has been a part of the UMAC family ever since. Erik is the director of the UMAC Summer Kids Camp and Junior Stripe Camp. Outside of karate, Erik teaches music at Webster Schroeder High School.
“I decided to join UMAC because as early as my first class I realized the high quality of instructors in this school. The instructors are passionate about karate and dedicated teachers. This school provides individualized instruction tailored for each and every student, regardless of age or ability. There is always something new to learn.”
Favorite quotes:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
Dave Nicchitta
Instructor Rank/Background:
2nd degree Black Belt Shingitai Jujitsu
Instructor Shoot Fighting/Personal Defense
Instructor Women’s Self Defense / Rape Prevention
Masters Club Jujitsu and Self Defense instructor
Years Training: 12
Dave has been training at UMAC since it opened in 1999 and now has both of his children enrolled in programs there. He finds that his training makes him better prepared as a road Deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and credits his training to helping him win that department’s Defensive Tactics award. The “family” feel and camaraderie at UMAC are what sets it apart from other schools.
Favorite quotes:
“In any violent conflict there’s going to be one person doing it to another – be that person. It’s always your turn.” – Tim Larkin
“I don’t need easy, I just need possible.” – Unknown
Kate James
Instructor Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan
1st Degree Black Belt Hattatsu Ryu
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.
Andrew Wagoner
Instructor Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt Hattatsu Ryu
1st Degree Black Belt Shijitsu Kai
Years Training: 16
Andrew began his martial arts training 16 years ago, at USA Karate, with the lofty aim of becoming the Green Power Ranger. He still works toward this goal, but has since fallen in love with studying and teaching karate. After leaving USA Karate to focus on his studies, he quickly realized that karate had become an indispensable part of his life, something he could not live fully without. Following the advice of a long-time friend and teacher, Andrew began training at UMAC. The family atmosphere and welcoming nature of the students and instructors made him feel immediately at home. Andrew teaches the Juniors and the Little Dragons, in Victor and trains primarily at Victor as well.
Favorite quote:
Matt Healy
Instructor Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt, Hattatsu Ryu
Years Training: 5
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
Heidi Lyndaker
Instructor Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt, Hattatsu Ryu
Years Training:
Karate: 3 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.
Arthur Totten
Instructor Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt, Okinawan Gōjū-ryū Karate-Do
Years Training: 10+ years
Arthur has trained in a myriad of martial arts styles, largely Okinawan Gōjū-ryū, but also Isshin-ryū Karate, Kali, Qigong and a small bit in fencing (sabre). After visiting local dojos and stumbling upon UMAC, he hasn’t looked back. The sense of camaraderie and enjoyable workout atmosphere blended excellently with his desire for a new Karate style to start in. A student since 2010, he is working on progressing through the ranks to earn a black belt in Hattatsu Ryu under the wonderful instructors at UMAC. Arthur helps in the teaching of the Little Dragon’s and Junior’s classes in Victor and participates in adult classes at both the Victor and Brighton locations.
In his free time, he also works at the University of Rochester doing pre-clinical research in Neurology and Pediatrics.
Favorite quotes:
“In times of peace, the warlike man attacks himself.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Jeff Polo
Instructor Rank:
3rd Degree Brown Belt, Hattatsu Ryu
Years Training: 3
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.”
Jamie Lewis
Instructor Rank:
3rd Degree Brown
Years Training: 9+
Jamie began training at UMAC in the spring of 2002 just before turning 13. Begining in the Junior program, he worked his way up to green belt before he began training to be an instructor. Jamie transferred into the Adult program when he decided to test from his rank of Junior purple belt to Adult Advanced Purple. Continuing his training and his teaching, Jamie advanced to the rank of Adult 3rd degree brown before graduating high school and embarking to college at the University of Vermont. Nine years since he first joined the UMAC family, Jamie is back in Rochester, attending classes at M.C.C., and continuing his training and teaching at UMAC where he is preparing for his Adult Black Belt.
In addition to teaching Junior’s and Little Dragon’s classes, Jamie instructs an after school Karate program at School 30 and instructs UMAC’s Junior Leadership Team (JoLT) where he passes on his passion for teaching to the next generation of UMAC instructors.
While the main bulk of Jamie’s training has been at UMAC, Jamie also has some prior experience training in Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, and Kendo.
“Martial Arts and UMAC have had such a huge influence on my life. The dojo has become my second home and the people here have become like family to me. I cherish every moment I spend at UMAC because it has made me a better person.”
Favorite Quotes
“A boss says ‘go!’, a leader says ‘Let’s go!’” – E. M. Kelly
“Creation must inherently come before and after destruction. That being said learn to create first then if you feel you must, learn to destroy. This way you’ll be able to help rebuild when you finally realize that destruction begets nothing useful.” – Unknown Speaker
“What do you mean you don’t know him?! You practically live here! If you don’t know somebody who walks through that door you better go introduce yourself!” – Sensei Wright after Jamie expressed his not knowing a new UMAC student
Juan Melendez
Instructor rank:
3rd Degree Brown
Years training: 4
Juan came to UMAC looking for a karate program for his kids but secretly wanted to restart the training he had begun years ago in his native New York City. Both his children are in the Junior program, and his son has even completed the coveted little dragon black belt.
The things Juan likes most about UMAC are the quality and variety of the martial arts program, the family atmosphere, and the outstanding camaraderie that exists amongst his fellow classmates and instructors. He considers the people he has met at UMAC to be amongst his best friends.
Juan teaches both little dragons and juniors classes. He enjoys working with his students and seeing them grow both as martial artists and as young people. His full-time job is as an elementary physical education teacher for the Rochester City School District. Juan has been a PE teacher for 20 years and has achieved the prestigious national board of professional teaching standards (NBPTS) certification in early and middle childhood PE. He is one of only six PE teachers in New York State to hold this certification.
Favorite quote:
Jen Pearson
Instructor Rank:
1st Degree Brown Belt, Hattatsu Ryu
Years Training: 3
Jen Pearson became interested in karate when she watched her son begin his lessons at United Martial Arts Center in Victor 5 years ago. She loved the enthusiasm that the instructors brought to their lessons. It made her miss her days as an elementary teacher. Jen now has two children in the program – Hunter is working towards his brown belt as a Little Dragon and Brad is working towards his brown belt as a Junior & yellow belt as a Junior Jujitsu student! Jen is now working at UMAC four days a week as an office manager and loves every minute of it! The UMAC family is filled with so many wonderful people and it is a joy to enter the doors each day!
Favorite Quotes:
“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs – jolted by every pebble in the road. – Henry Ward Beecher
“Some people walk in the rain. Others just get wet.” – Roger Miller
It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. – Chinese Proverb
I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet. – Denis Waitley
Nipa Armbruster
Instructor Rank:
Purple Belt, Hattatsu Ryu
Years Training: 2 years
Nipa Armbruster lived in Dhaka, London, Hong Kong, Berkeley, New York City and Toronto before finally settling down in Honeoye Falls. When she is not at her farmhouse (taking care of her husband, three kids, frequent guests and various critters) she can be found at the Victor dojo which she often calls her “second home”.
Nipa’s jobs have included fashion designer and product manager, stationery designer and marketing assistant to her husband’s investment business. However, one of her childhood dreams was to work as a teacher. It wasn’t until two years ago that she figured out exactly what she wanted to teach. Not only does she enjoy helping her students excel physically, she also cherishes the values and principles that she is able to share though the UMAC curriculum.
Until recently, Nipa would have never imagined that a black belt in karate was one of her life goals. However, now, if you happen to be at the dojo on a Tuesday or Thursday night, you’d be hard pressed to persuade her to slow down or to stop smiling.
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.
