BMAA Instructors

Sensei Gary Berger graduated cum laude from Towson State University with three degrees in Biology, Psychology and Animal Behavior. Mr. Berger abandoned his future in science in order to pursue his true passion - the martial arts. He and his wife, Danyelle Berger, jointly own the Baltimore Martial Arts Academy.

Having studying martial arts since the age of 4, Mr. Berger is now a nationally and internationally recognized instructor and competitor in the martial arts. In 1993 he won a gold medal in the U.S. National full contact Kuoshu Championships. In 1994 he was a member of the U.S. Kung Fu team and won a silver medal in the European Kuoshu internationals. Mr. Berger has also medaled in several championships in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Mr. Berger has pioneered and developed an adapted karate class. This course offers a unique approach to teaching physically and/or mentally challenged children the martial arts. Mr. Berger has been featured in several publications and television shows for his endeavors in this new field. Sensei Gary Berger has also served as a martial arts technical advisor for the Baltimore based television series Homicide. Mr. Berger’s greatest talent lies in his structured style of teaching that makes learning easy, safe and enjoyable.

Shaun is currently a third degree black belt under Sensei Gary Berger’s style of Modern Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has been studying martial arts for more than twenty five years, eleven of which with Sensei Gary Berger. The styles he’s trained in include Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Ninjitsu, and Boxing/Kickboxing.

Shaun has competed in both standing and ground fighting tournaments and has coached more than twenty individuals for competition. He currently runs boot camps for children and adults and teaches BJJ, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, and children’s classes at the Baltimore Martial Arts Academy.

During the day Mr.Wilson is the Director of Operations heading up the Cabling Infrastructure Department for SCD Information Technology. His greatest motivation and achievement to date is his wonderful daughter Haley Wilson.

Jeff is the head Aikido instructor for the Baltimore Martial Arts Academy. He began training in martial arts in 1984. Jeff is recognized by the Japan Aikido Association and Aikido America International as a second degree black belt in Shodokan Aikido (commonly referred to as Tomiki Aikido) under Brian Sutherland Sensei, Godan. He also holds a brown belt (ikkyu) in Judo from the United States Judo Association, a black belt in karate under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, and a blue belt in jiu-jitsu under Professor Pedro Sauer. Jeff is also a Certified Personal Trainer. He has trained in numerous other martial arts over the years including kenpo, vale tudo, muay thai, and traditional weapons.

Jeff is the Executive Director of Mims Innovations, Inc., a Baltimore-based management consulting company. He earned his Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Towson University and holds numerous industry certifications.

Sifu Thomas has been involved in the martial arts for over 25 years. He holds a black sash in Ho Chen Pai, Tien shen pai, and Hua Mountain Kung fu. Indoor student of Master Luping Zhang for thirteen years where he studied Tan Tui, Hua Mountain Kung fu, Shaolin Kung fu, Ba Gua, Xing Yi, Yang Tai Chi Chuan and Chen Tai Chi Chuan. He also has experience in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Sifu Thomas currently studies old frame chen village chen style Tai Chi chuan under renowned Master Wang Haijun (China's three year national push hands champion). Sifu Thomas is the winner of six gold metals in Tai Chi Push Hands and was recently elected into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2005.

Master Thomas teaches the intricate movements of four chen tai chi chuan forms along with the martial applications, self defense, chi kung, developing full body power, push hands, sensitivity drills, two person fighting application drills and weapons.