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Instructors

David Giomi
 

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 Known for his ability to teach serious, real-world self-defense with an upbeat and positive teaching style, David Giomi has Black Belt/Instructor level rankings in disciplines such as Bruce Lee’s Art of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, and Kenpo Karate to name a few.

 Mr. Giomi also has over 20 years of experience in the bar and nightclub industry, giving him a unique, real-world perspective in the areas of self-defense and personal protection. 

 Though Mr. Giomi’s students have included members from all branches of the military, as well as security and protection specialists, his primary focus has always been training “ordinary people”, men, women, and children of all ages to be equipped to protect themselves in the modern world. 

 Sifu (Master Instructor) David Giomi has been studying martial arts since 1974, including nearly 10 years as a private student of Guro Burton Richardson, renowned instructor of Bruce Lee's Art of Jeet Kune Do. (https://jkdunlimited.com/pages/about-us)

 He was also one of Guro Burton’s hand-picked sparring partners.

 One of only two people in the world with Instructor ranking in both Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD (Original Bruce Lee method) and JKD Unlimited "MMA For the Street", Sifu David was the first person ever promoted to Instructor Rank in Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD by Guro Burton, making him a 3rd Generation Instructor of Bruce Lee’s Original Art with a direct lineage to Bruce Lee himself. He also holds the rank of 7th degree Black Belt in Chinese Kenpo, as well as a Black Sash Instructor (Sifu) ranking in Traditional Chinese Kung Fu (including Tai Chi and Internal Arts)

 One of the featured performers in the curriculum DVDs for the legendary Sifu Larry Hartsell’s Jun Fan JKD Grappling Association, Sifu David holds the rank of Full Instructor in the Jun Fan JKD Grappling Association.

 He was also an actor, stunt performer, and Assistant Fight Choreographer on the  martial arts movie "One Percent Full", winner of the Action On Film International Film Festival award for “Best Fight Choreography” in 2009.

(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3-DEaT00-NngpRlfa9MrHJ2IZna77rqP)

 

 Sifu David founded Hawaii Kung Fu/Cornerstone Martial Arts in Honolulu, HI in 2001 as a Christian Martial Arts organization, teaching Jeet Kune Do, Kenpo, traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, and Tai Chi Ch’uan as part of his Christian Martial Arts curriculum at the Palolo Valley Hongwanji Temple and Lili’uokalani Elementary School on the island of Oahu, and is currently the Head Instructor for Cornerstone Martial Arts Reno.

 

Bio:

  • 7th Degree Black Belt Kenpo Karate
     

  • Black Sash “Sifu” Ranking: Shaolin Kung Fu
     

  • Full Instructor Ranking: Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association
     

  • Instructor Ranking: Bruce Lee’s Original Jeet Kune Do (Jun Fan Gung Fu); 3rd Generation.
     

  • Instructor Ranking: Jeet Kune Do Unlimited Mixed Martial Arts For the Street (TM)
     

  • Instructor Ranking: Jeet Kune Do Concepts
     

  • Instructor Ranking: Filipino Martial Art
     

  • Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (JKDU BJJ for the Street)
     

  • Instructor Tai Chi Ch’uan/Internal Martial Arts (Christian-based)
     

  • Ninjutsu: Dragon Gate Sanctuary: Honolulu, HI
     

  • Hawaiian-Chinese Kempo Karate under Great-Grandmaster Professor William K.S. Chow

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  • Head instructor LV Tactical Training Las Vegas, NV
     

  • Primary assist on LV Tactical Training Counter-Terrorist Training for pilots and flight attendants of local Las Vegas airlines
     

  • Taught military and high-level security personnel in Honolulu and Las Vegas, NV
     

  • Security Supervisor Las Vegas, NV
     

  • Program Director Cultural Arts Training Foundation Las Vegas, NV

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  • Developed and taught Christian Martial Arts programs for Christian Home-School organizations in both Honolulu, HI, and Las Vegas, NV
     

  • Developed and taught Christian Martial Arts programs to both adults and children in both Honolulu, HI, and Las Vegas, NV
     

  • Developed and taught regular self-defense classes for Southern Nevada Children First (non-profit in Las Vegas, NV)
     

  • Developed and taught regular Tai Chi courses for Assisted Living Center, Las Vegas NV
     

  • Developed and taught the Anti-Bully Program featured in local news with local community leaders. Las Vegas, NV
     

  • Defensive Tactics Instructor, security company (unnamed) Northern Nevada
     

  • R.H.IN.O. Tactical Defense Instructor; specializing in the following areas:

  • R.H.IN.O. Fighting Systems

  • Active Shooter Response

  • Anti-Kidnapping & Anti-Abduction Training

  • Child Safety/Anti- Abduction Prevention Course

  • Edged Weapon Defense

  • Firearms Defense

  • Protection Specialist Training Instructor

  • Real Estate Specific Safety Training

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  • Was C.O.B.R.A. Defense Instructor for Nevada for over a decade until April 2024; certified and specializing in the following areas:

  • Certified C.O.B.R.A. Defense Instructor

  • Certified C.O.B.R.A. Fighting Systems Instructor

  • Active Shooter Response Instructor

  • Kidnapping & Anti-Abduction Instructor

  • Child Abduction Prevention Course Instructor

  • Edged Weapon Defense Instructor

  • Firearms Defense Instructor (C.O.B.R.A. Defense Systems)

  • Protection Specialist Training Instructor

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  • Founder Hawaii Kung Fu

  • ​​Founder Cornerstone Martial Arts Hawaii

  • Vice Chairman Community-School Board Lili’uokalani Elementary School Honolulu, HI
     

  • Licensed/Ordained Pastor

Served in the following ministerial positions:

  • Hope Chapel Mana’olana: Associate Pastor, Men's Pastor, Home Church Pastor; Worship Leader

  • Hope Chapel Honolulu: Worship Leader, Assistant Pastor

  • Hope Chapel Las Vegas (Home Church): Pastor

Cornerstone Martial Arts Reno Instructor David Giomi and Burton Richardson JKD in Italy
Cornerstone Martial Arts Reno David Giomi, Randy Couture, Burton Richardson
Cornerstone Martial Arts Reno group class picture
Cornerstone Martial Arts Reno David Giomi,Burton Richardson, Larry Hartsell
Cornerstone Martial Arts Reno  Gary Poe with Burton and Sarah Richardson in Hawaii

Gary Poe

Certified Martial Arts Instructor Gary Poe has been involved in Martial Arts for over 40 years. He has an extensive background in Jun Fan Jeet Kune do, Judo, Karate, Kick Boxing, Muay Thai, and Filipino Martial Arts.

 

He has trained with legendary martial artists including Jim Harrison, Mark Payne, Dan Inosanto, Francis Fong, Erwin Villezon, and most recently Burton Richardson. In 2003 he established and was head instructor of the Academy of Martial Arts & Fitness located in Sylmar California. He went on to teach Youth Judo and adult Jeet Kune Do in Kansas City, Missouri.

 

Gary created various programs modified to teach practical self-defense designed courses to adults, children, and women. Gary believes that martial arts can be a valuable tool in building self-esteem and personal discipline. He teaches with the purpose of building strong moral character in today's youth through martial arts training and encouraging positive affirmations and biblical principles.

 

Mr. Poe is passionate about mentoring students in physical training, mental development, spiritual growth, and Christian discipleship. It is his hope that every participant who trains in martial arts will experience growth and excellence in every area of their lives.

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