Gerard Senese, Director of the Ryu Shu Kan of Farmingville on Long Island is also Director of the Town of Brookhaven's Sachem Community Youth Services' Children's Karate Program. Sensei Senese began his training in 1974 in Taika Oyata's art which was called Ryu Kyu Kempo at that time & received his Sho-Dan in 1978.
He began teaching in 1980 & has been a full time instructor since 1984. He has also taught Women's Rape Awareness programs for Southampton Hospital's Women's Center, as well as seminars around the country in the advanced techniques of Taika Oyata's Shin Shu Ho Life Protection Art.
Kyoshi Senese has traveled with Taika Oyata to Washington D.C. to assist with F.B.I. training and also assisted in N.Y.C. at the NYPD Defense Instructor's academy. Kyoshi Senese has also traveled to Japan with his wife Hiroko (who is from Shikoku, one of the four main islands of Japan) and to Okinawa with Taika Oyata; to further his studies in Japanese/Okinawan culture and philosophy. Together with his wife, they are BOCES Arts-in-Education presenters and appear at public schools on L.I. to share the enjoyment of the Japanese culture through programs of taiko, folk song and dance.
Currently, Kyoshi Senese devotes his time to teaching Taika Oyata's Ryu Te to children and adults at his Ryu Shu Kan Dojo; and as an executive commitee member of the Japan Center at Stony Brook University, directs the community oureach events for the Center. Kyoshi Senese and his wife, Hiroko, are the executive producers of the "Sakura Matsuri"-Cherry Blossom Festival; the premiere cultural event of the Japan Center held at the Wang Center at Stony Brook University. He has also developed a Gentle Martial Arts program for the 50+ generations that incorporates Tai Chi, Okinawan Nai Han Chi and Samurai Sword kata.
Along with practicing Kendo, he performs Shakuhachi flute and directs the Ryu Shu Taiko Drumming Ensemble consisting of his Karate students, their parents and other members of the Long Island community.
Kyoshi Senese shares his enthusiasm of the unique art of Taika Oyata with all who show interest in learning about the original art of life protection of Okinawa and also shares his enjoyment of the other aspects of Japanese culture through festivals and workshops he hosts throughout the year.