Susan Dalton

Jay Speetjens, Godan - was first introduced to Aikido in 1983 while reading Zen and the Art of Skiing. Days later he began studying Tomiki Aikido under Dr. James Farr Sensei. It was here that Jay first met and practiced with John Grinnell Sensei. In 1990, Jay ran into John and Betsy Grinnell Sensei outside a local movie theater, and soon joined the Greensboro Kodokan Dojo. Jay has travelled to Japan several times to study Aikido at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo and Kodokan Dojos in Aichi Prefecture. In 2001 Jay accepted the role of Senior Instructor of Greensboro Kodokan Dojo.

Greensboro Kodokan Dojo

Susan Dalton, Yondan - began Aikido in 1991, when her five year old son Ryan wanted to be a Ninja Turtle. All these years later she is still exuberantly practicing Aikido. In 2001 she took on the position of Dojo Manager. Susan teaches English and literature at Alamance Community College. She also taught Aikido as a PE course at ACC. Susan has written numerous articles for Aikido Today Magazine and has been of service to the greater Aikido community by helping organize several friendship seminars. You can view Susan’s contributions to the monthly column “The Mirror” at Aikiweb.com

Leslie Kausch, Yondan - Was introduced to the philosophy of Aikido in 1986 while studying Creative Conflict Resolution with Thomas Crum. She has been practicing the martial way of Aikido since 1992. For 11 years, Leslie instructed the children's and teen classes, which were modeled on those of our Sensei in Japan. With the exemption of joint locks and pressure points, children practice the same techniques as the adults, along with games, and a general atmosphere of fun. She also incorporates the philosophy of Aikido and some physical movement in her private counseling practice.

Tadamitsu Tanaka Shihan - managed the Kodokan Aikido organization based in Aichi Japan. The Kodokan system includes four dojos centered around Okazaki, Japan and three in Virginia and North Carolina. He began practicing Aikido at age eight, and also studied kendo and practiced Iaido, the art of drawing the sword. O’Sensei granted Tanaka Shihan’s Shodan and Nidan. His Sandan, Yondan, and Godan were granted by Kisshomaru Doshu. Moriteru Doshu promoted Tanaka Shihan to Rokudan, and the rank of Nanadan in 2012. Tanaka Sensei was dedicated to a life of budo, exhibited both in his focused instruction of Aikido and his joyous and loving manner everywhere. Tanaka Shihan perpetually and humbly shared his understanding of the practice and life, and for this we are always grateful.

The following individuals have either travelled from Japan to teach or currently lead classes at Greensboro Kodokan Aikido. Names are listed in the western style with the given name followed by surname.

Kodokan Aikido - Japan

Hajime Suzuki Shihan, Rokudan - Studied Aikido under Masanosuke Tanaka Sensei. He instructs in Okazaki and is the Dojo Cho for the Kodokan Koto Cho Dojo. Suzuki Sensei also has been granted a menkyo kaiden in Shinto Musoryu Jodo. He also holds the rank of Godan in Seitei Jodo, Godan in Tenshin Koryu Jujitsu, and Nidan in Houten Ryu.

Andrew Grochowski, Godan - Began his aiki journey in 1989. Along the way he has met many extraordinary individuals, with Minh Nguyen Sensei of Lehigh Valley Aikikai, Bill Sosa Sensei (d. 2002) of International Aikido Association, and John Stevens Sensei of Classical Aikido being the biggest influencers in his aiki development. He has been enjoying aiki training at the Kodokan Greensboro Dojo since 2008.

Mike Cundall, Yondan - Mike Sensei Instructs the Teens class. He began his aikido studies in Lexington, KY, while in college under the direction of Tony Graziano a student of Saotome Sensei. He transferred to the Aikido of Cincinnati and trained under McGinnis Shihan and Mehter Shihan. He has experience with Yoshinkan Aikido and has participated in their Enbu in Japan. In 2016 he returned to Japan to teach a seminar at the Yoshinkan school in Hamamatsu with his friend and teacher Mizuno Sensei.

Mike Cundall