Instructors at Agostini's Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness

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INSTRUCTORS

Renshi John D. Agostini

Born on February 17, 1959.
Graduated High School: Saint Raphael Academy in 1977, in Rhode Island.
Graduated Bryant College in Business Administration in 1981.
Opened Nick Cerio’s Kenpo of Cranston, Inc. in October 1994. Has remained in Cranston since.

Sensei Agostini holds rank in the following systems:
Nick Cerio’s Kenpo Jujutsu – 6th Degree
Isshin Ryu Karate – 1st Degree
Ryu Kenpo – Renshi Ryudoukai Kenpo Jututsu
Bushin Ryu Kobujutsu – 3rd Degree (Japanese/Okinawan Weaponry)
Shotokan Karate – 1st Degree

Sensei John has a great ability to learn and retain Martial Arts. But better than that he has a fantastic ability to convey the Martial Art he is teaching to the students. You can see this by watching his students during class training sessions.

Renshi Agostini’s relentless determination to learn Martial Arts is obviously seen by watching perform his self-defense, empty-hand kata and kobudo. His normal training sessions run 4 hours twice a week with master Hachidan David Lindsay.

Sensei Russell Landy

Born on August 18, 1941.
Graduated from Hope High School in Rhode Island.
Went to the Marine Corp on August of 1960 and honorably discharged in August 1966. Vietnam War Veteran.

Sensei Landy holds rank in the following systems:
Nick Cerio’s Kenpo Jujutsu – 5th Degree
Kodokan Judo – 2nd Degree
Kobujutsu Ikky – 1st Degree
Isshin Ryu Karate - 1st Degree
Kumi-Uchi Jujutsu - 1st Degree

Sensei Landy is the Chief Instructor at Nick Cerio’s Kenpo of Cranston, Inc. and Renshi Agostini’s right hand. His strong character displays patience, humbleness and tenacity while running all the children’s programs.

Sensei Landy is an essential part of Nick Cerio’s Kenpo of Cranston, Inc. Whether on the tatami showing techniques or off the tatami teaching a young child responsibility. He always trying to improve or direct some person towards a goal. He is a true Martial Artist!

Sensei Russell Landy and Sensei Ray Randal instruct CLCF Judo program at Nick Cerio’s Kenpo of Cranston, Inc., Rhode Island.

Sensei Landy also trains with Renshi Agostini and Hachidan David Linday.

Sensei Kimberly Branch

Born: September 1, 19xx
Graduated High School: Cranston East High School 198x
Started training at Nick Cerio's Kenpo in 1998.
She holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Nick Cerio's Kenpo.

Sensei Kim earned her 1st Dgree Black Belt with Renshi John in December 2001. She earned her 2nd Degree Black Belt with Shihan Carlos Miranda (another former student of Professor Cerio) in December 2004. Sensei Kim was one of Renshi John's 1st female black belts. Her commitment to learning never waivers. She is the children's instructor and her high energy classes bring enthusiasm to all her students learning the martial arts, which can be seen by watching her teach.

As Academy Director and Fitness Director for the school, she keeps things running smoothly and always has new and creative ideas for educational and fun programs.

Sensei Raymond Randall

Current Rank: Sandan (3rd degree Black Belt), 2004, Ukes: Sensei Russell Landy,
Jessica Brown, Examiner: Peter Contardo, Shichidan (7th degree)
Sensei Russ at the same time earned Nidan (2nd degree).
Uke: Ryan Ponder (grandson).

Earlier Ranks: Nidan, 1991, Uke: Tom Randall (son)
Examiner: Allen Thompson, Sandan, et al.
Shodan (1st degree), 1981
Brown Belt, 1979
White Belt, 1975
Years in Judo: Started in 1975 at age 38; 30 years as of March 2005
Clubs: Kent County YMCA in Rhode Island, student, instructor, competitor
Rhode Island Judo, student, instructor, competitor
Pilgrim High School Judo Club in Rhode Island, head instructor
CLCF Judo Club, co-instructor with Sensei Russ, student
Comments:
Joined Judo, because "It looked like gymnastics to me."
Two sons, Steve and Dave, and daughter, Karen earned Brown Belts;
one son, Tom, earned Shodan (1st degree); my wife Carol earned title of judo mom.
My former student Andrei Alvarez, Shodan, is head instructor for the Toray Judo Club and my former student Steve Smith, Shodan, is an instructor and still actively competing.
"One of my most memorable experiences in judo was preparing myself for my Nidan promotion with my sons Tom and Steve."

Sensei Brian Curtin

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Sensei James Aldredge

Born: July 4th, 1966
Graduated High School: 1985 Tollgate high School
Graduated with honors from the vocational trades in sheetmetal and woodworking.

Sensei Jim currently holds his 1st degreee and is training for his 2nd degree. He earned his 1st dergee in 1989 in another Kenpo system. After taking some time away from that studio Sensei Jim enrolled his son in Agostini's Academy, liking the training program from Sensei John and Sensei Russell, he joined to train with them. He feels both honored and proud to train with and help teach at the school. He ownes and operates United Sheet Metal Inc., a custom sheet metal fabrication and installation company.

Sensei Ryan Ponder

Born on June 21, 1988.
Graduated from Cranston East High School in 1999.
Went into the Army in 2008 and is currently a National Guardsman.

Sensei Ryan holds rank in the following systems:
Nick Cerio’s Kenpo - 1st Degree
Judo with United States Judo Association – 1st Degree

Sensei Ryan earned his 1st degree black belt in Nick Cerio's Kenpo with Renshi John in 1999 at the age of 11. He was the first child to hold black belt rank with Renshi John and was one of Renshi's first students.

Sensei Ryan is one of the Judo instructor's at the Academy along with his grandfather Sensei Russell Landy.

Sensei Joseph Franco

Born: October 6, 1960
Graduated High School: La Salle Academy 1978
Graduated University of Rhode Island 1983
Received BA in Political Science and Minors in History, Science and Business.

Sensei Joseph Franco presently holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Nick Cerio's Kenpo Jujutsu. He began his studies in Cerio's Kenpo as a teenager and had the opportunity to study under Professor Cerio for about a year and a half. He also studied under some of Professor Cerio's other black belts. It wasn't until the age of 39 that he began his study of Martial Arts again in earnest. It was very ironic that he met yet another one of Professor Cerio's black belt students, Sensei John Agostini. He feels very fortunate to have met Sensei Agostini along with Sensei Landy. They were very inspirational in his commitment to his studies of Martial Arts. Sensei Franco is presently studying for his Dan Rank in Isshin-Ryu and Kobojutsu.

Sensei Michael O'Brien

Born: December 4, 1977
Graduated High School: June 1996, Cranston High School West
Graduated University of Rhode Island 2000
Bachelor of Arts in History.

Michael holds a Nidan Rank in Nick Cerio's Kenpo and has begun training in Shotokan and various weapons. Sensei Mike competes regularly in Krane Tournaments and has won several events in Sai-Jutsu weapons. His enthusiasm and dedication to the education of the students at Agostini's Academy, along with his respect and devotion to Renshi John and Sensei Russell, make him an important part of the school.

Martial Arts

Students and enthusiasts of Martial Arts have many reasons for their interest. Some are drawn to the physical fitness and weight-loss aspects of training. Others seek to add discipline and self control to their lives. While still others are concerned about safety and self-defense.

Fitness

Fun, weight-loss, muscle gain, teamwork, personal coaching and the motivation to get in the best shape of your life! The training we do in our school is excellent for all around fitness and body conditioning. If your goal is weight-loss, stay in shape, or get toned, these classes are for you at Agostini's Academy of Martials Arts & Fitness, Inc. in Rhode Island.