Principal Instructor: Rodger Park, 5th Dan, Shidoin

Rodger Park began his study of Aikido in 1989 at the University of Rochester Aikido Club, Rochester, New York, with Eric Sotnak Sensei.

He moved to Ann Arbor for graduate studies at the University of Michigan in 1991, where he began daily training with T.S.Okuyama Sensei, then of the United States Aikido Federation - Western Region. Rodger currently holds the rank of 5th Dan (5th level "black belt") and a Shidoin (certified instructor) teaching license from Birankai North America. He presently serves on the Birankai NA Teachers' Council and is a member of its Examination Committee and its Board of Directors.

Throughout his study, Rodger has broadened his training through regular participation in seminars and training camps conducted by many of the Shihan (master teachers) in the United States, as well as seminars conducted by visiting instructors from the Aikikai Hombu (headquarters) Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. He has twice traveled to Japan for short periods to train at Hombu Dojo and to participate in the shogaku shugyo initiation to misogi-no-kokyu-ho (purification through breathing) practice at the Ichikukai Dojo near Tokyo.

Rodger has also studied Iaido/Batto-ho since 1992.

Rodger works as a Senior Consultant at Ann Arbor-based CFI Group USA.

Instructors

Mr. Erik Fredricksen - 3rd Dan, Fukushidoin (Assistant Instructor). Erik has trained in Aikido since the 1980s and retired from the University of Michigan Theater Department in 2011. In addition to his extensive martial arts training, Erik is a world-renowned expert in the field of stage combat and a founder of the American Society of Fight Directors.

Mr. James Borders - 3rd Dan, Fukushidoin. Jim has trained at Huron Valley Aikikai for more than a dozen years. He is a professor of Musicology at the University of Michigan and has served as an associate dean of the University's School of Music.

Several other of Huron Valley Aikikai's senior members also serve as class instructors. All have many years of training experience and hold senior ranks.