BUSHI KARATE CLUB

 Renshi Chris holds his fourth-degree black belt from the AIKA federation. He began his martial arts career at UMass Amherst in 1996 achieving the rank of 1kyu with ISKF Godan Sensei Sara Grimes. Chris was granted black belt under Shihan Wayne Mello in 2001. Sensei Chris has always had a penchant for seeking out instruction from as many Sensei as possible over the years and brings a wealth of knowledge in how to perform and apply Karate technique to forms (kata) and fighting (kumite). 

Professionally, Sensei Chris graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with his BS in both Physiology and Chemistry. He then proceeded to attend Framingham State University and received his MBA. Currently employed at Alexion Pharmaceuticals as a Senior Director of Global Supply Chain bringing medicine to people with Rare Diseases. 

Renshi Kevin Carey, began his martial arts training in 2000, when Shihan Mello moved his karate dojo to Oxford, MA. He trained every possible chance he could, earning him the rank of Black Belt in 2004, at the young age of 15. Sensei Kevin started competing in karate tournaments right from the beginning and continues to enjoy competing today. Sensei Kevin became a 3rd degree Black Belt in 2013, earning him the title of Sensei. In 2025, he was awarded the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt). To this day, Sensei not only teaches and competes, but he continues to train and advance in rank as well.

 Sensei Sam Carey began her training at the age of 9. Training under Shihan Mello she earned her black belt in 2012. Later achieved the rank of Sadan and title of Sensei from AIKA under Sensei Kevin Carey in 2020. She earned her rank of Yodan in 2024. She originally fell in love with teaching in a dojo setting working one on one with students and running whole classes, and now is an aspiring English teacher. She is excited to begin her student teaching at Burncoat High School in Worcester this fall 2023 school year. Upon completing student teaching, she will continue in her education by pursuing a master's degree in writing from SNHU while she continues to train as a martial artist and work part time on the side.

 Sensei Leah began her Martial Arts career in 2003 at the Boston Karate Club achieving the rank of 3kyu under ISKF Godan Sensei Ali Mohajerani and officially joined the AIKA family as instructor to the Universal Karate class (4-6 years old) in 2014 with their two children, Dominic and Gabrielle. Leah achieved the rank of Shodan with AIKA in 2018 under Sensei DJ Oleski. Sensei Leah competes regularly in the IPPONE circuit along with international tournaments earning third place finishes in kata and sparring in 2018, sparring in 2023 at the Ozawa Cup in Las Vegas, kata at the USA Karate Nationals in 2021; and 2nd in short weapons at North American Open in 2025, In 2020, she achieved the rank of Nidan and in 2024 the rank of Sandan and title of Sensei with AIKA under Sensei Christopher Amato. 

She is a graduate of both University of Massachusetts, Boston and Northeastern University. She has earned her BS in Biology and MS in Biotechnology respectively. Currently employed as a Quality Consultant in the biotechnology field. In October, she runs Nightmare Marlborough, a non-profit Haunted House supporting the Marlborough food pantry.