Our Amazing Instructors

We Promise...

  • Outstanding coaching from some of the top black belt instructors in the world, personally trained by Shihan Quatrochi.
  • Proven performance strategies and concepts from Shihan Quatrochi’s 30+ years of training experience.
  • Unstoppable achievement through specialized planning, and consistent measuring, monitoring and feedback.
  • Rigorous accountability: Your instructor will become a friend, mentor and coach who wants and expects the best from you. Your instructor will challenge you to perform at your very best.
Anthony QuatrochiAnthony Quatrochi

Anthony Quatrochi

SHIHAN

Shihan Quatrochi has been training in the martial arts since 1987, and has over 30 years as an instructor. Being a student of many martial art systems and styles, it was not until he met his JuJitsu instructor that he realized that this was the style for him. Kokoro Kai JuJitsu is a unique Japanese based system from which other martial art schools branch. At AQMAI we do not teach one modality of the discipline but focus on the Martial Movements of the complete Art. He started teaching at a local health club in Dutchess County in 1990. In 2003 he took his loyal students to their new home: Anthony Quatrochi's Martial Arts Institute in the Southside Plaza in Wappingers Falls.

Shihan's many years as an instructor have solidified his belief that martial arts are one of the only things in our society that still hold on to traditional value systems and integrate physical as well as tangible lessons. He feels a need to give back to his students all the things he was very fortunate to learn from many great instructors.

Email Shihan Quatrochi

Our Teaching Team

Sensei Lou LaPollaSensei Lou LaPolla

Lou LaPolla

RENSHI / SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

Renshi LaPolla is our extremely talented and dedicated Senior Instructor. Renshi Lou La Polla knows first-hand the importance of learning excellent personal self-defense techniques. As a corrections officer for twenty-six years, Renshi La Polla has experienced more than most how the unexpected can happen. With twelve years of study at AQMAI, and with knowledge of training at other martial arts schools, he emphatically asserts that AQMAI is the best option to choose to learn to stay safe in an ego-free, family friendly environment. He does not equivocate, saying AQMAI is the only place he will ever train. Seeing others, children and adults , including his own son, progress in their learning of the art is a special benefit of his AQMAI relationship.

Sensei Adam WhiteSensei Adam White

Adam White

RENsHI

Adam White has numerous credentials and accomplishments.

We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.




Sensei Ron SchererSensei Ron Scherer

Ron Scherer

renshi

Renshi Scherer is virtually the embodiment of quiet assurance, an emblematic quality of the AQMAI style.

With over two decades of teaching eight grade, combined with a lifetime of learning and teaching martial arts, his patience and calm nature can always be counted on, on and off the mat.

As with many of our Instructors, Renshi began his time at AQMAI after bringing his own children into the school. He cites the fun and welcoming family atmosphere of the dojo as an initial appeal to begin his own training here in 2008. He continued due in part to the applicable every day skills of jujitsu. Amusingly, yet practically, learning to fall properly and be able to pop right up again is a particular skill he references as a learning milestone! His appreciation for the depth of the AQMAI discipline continues to grow as he continues to learn.

Not surprisingly, Renshi Scherer says special AQMAI moments for him include watching his children get promoted, and earning his own Black Belt. He looks forward to his continued learning with his AQMAI family and welcomes other to join in the experience.

Sensei James O'CallahanSensei James O'Callahan

James O'Callahan

sensei

Sensei James O'Callahan enjoys the "breakthrough" moments of being an Instructor, helping someone know and understand what they are truly capable of achieving. The "breakthrough moment" is, in fact, what led him to his training in the martial arts. After seeing a family member get hurt, and not feeling able to help, he chose to find and develop his own capabilities, and that is when he came to AQMAI. Training began for Sensei O'Callahan at the age of sixteen, and he says that he felt welcomed and at home at AQMAI right away. When asked why someone should study at the school, his answer is clear. "AQMAI is real. It's effective." His time here has helped him become focused and driven to always improve in his training, and all areas of his life.

Assistant Instructor PJ DarcyAssistant Instructor PJ Darcy

PJ Darcy

SENSEI

Sensei PJ Darcy frequently uses a particular word when asked about the AQMAI "family". Training at AQMAI the past eight years with his children, he says he's felt his definition of family grow to include his dojo training partners and instructors, in large part because of shared goals and ideals.

PJ is an extraordinarily self-motivated individual who participates in endurance challenges, including marathons and run-bike races, and he is targeting triathlons in the future. With his AQMAI teammates, he has completed many Tough Mudder and Spartan Races. He cites the school's tenet of constantly striving to improve within yourself, to be just a bit better today than yesterday, as a meaningful message that helps him and his children achieve their goals in life and in the study of ju jitsu.

It doesn't take long, working with Sensei Darcy, to see and know his dedication to his community, his family - both on and off the mat - and his art. His easy demeanor and ready smile make him a great teacher to any student and we were fortunate to welcome him as a Sensei in 2021.

Assistant Instructor Lauren SochaAssistant Instructor Lauren Socha

Lauren Socha

SENSEI

Lauren Socha is one of our newest Assistant Instructors. After just four years at AQMAI, her dedication and enthusiasm made her a natural for promotion. Lauren came to us for a trial after researching different martial arts styles and was hooked from her first day, when she learned the beginning steps of throwing a much larger opponent. She credits her time at the dojo with boosting her confidence and reinforcing self-discipline as she progresses through more challenging techniques. When asked why AQMAI is special to her, Lauren speaks of the atmosphere of the school as being a "great way to end the day" and looking forward to what she can achieve. We look forward to spending many more years with her, reaching her goals.

Assistant Instructor Sempai FioritoAssistant Instructor Sempai Fiorito

Rianna Fiorito

SEMPAI

Sempai Fiorito has an undeniable passion for teaching children. Beyond her mat time teaching Jujitsu to AQMAI’s younger students, she teaches yoga classes outside the dojo, and also works with children in the public school system. Her educational background has her particularly attuned to the “a-ha” moment in a student’s progress and she feels “honored” to be involved in a child’s recognition of personal achievement. She recommends AQMAI to families because of the school’s avoidance of ego-based attitudes and recognition in favor of emphasizing personal rapport with, and support of, students and their families, leading to open, genuine, long-term relationships.

While active in the local running community and chasing her own busy child, Sempai Fiorito still finds ample time to be an energized participant in AQMAI’s many offsite events and day camp opportunities, so chances are good that you will meet her when you come in to visit.

Assistant Instructor Derek DorienAssistant Instructor Derek Dorien

Derek Dorien

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

Derek Dorien, though still a Van Wyck Junior High student, has been an Assistant Instructor at AQMAI for two years already! Nearly four years ago he tried a class because his cousin attended the school, and he's been progressing rapidly ever since. His move to Instructor brought him onto the mat much more often, and he says the extra time at the school and helping others learn are things he truly enjoys. He often mentions the "fun" of training, and the confidence training brings him, and that he is looking forward to earning his Black Belt and becoming a Sensei (a full Instructor). We are beyond happy to know that Derek will be here for years to come.