SEVEN STAR WOMEN'S KUNG FU

All classes at Seven Star are taught either by our chief instructor, Sifu Michelle McVadon, or by students in advanced belt ranks (green, brown, and black) who have been mentored by Sifu Michelle.

This page provides a brief introduction to Sifu Michelle and the other black belts on the teaching staff.

Name:	Michelle McVadon
Rank:	5th degree black belt in Kajukenbo; Sandan in Aikido; Shodan in Seido Jujitsu

Sifu Michelle McVadon has been training at Seven Star Women's Kung Fu since 1983. She received her first-degree black belt in 1989 from Anne Moon, the school's founder, and became co-head instructor the following year. In 1995, upon Sifu Moon's retirement from teaching, Sifu McVadon became head instructor. She has continued her own Kajukenbo training under Professor Barbara Bones.

In 2003, Michelle's personal accomplishments and many contributions to the martial arts were recognized by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA), which named her their Martial Artist of the Year.

Each year the PAWMA board uses this award to recognize an outstanding martial artist. The board chooses a woman who is a devoted teacher and practitioner, someone who is dedicated to promoting martial arts and sharing skills and knowledge with others. Someone who is committed to the idea and reality of women's ability to reach the highest levels of martial arts practice, the belief that an organization can encourage and enhance the goals of female martial artists, and the vision to help make such an organization a reality.

Here is just part of what the PAWMA Board had to say about Sifu McVadon:

It is with great excitement that the PAWMA Board awards Michelle McVadon the honor of Martial Artist of the Year 2003. Michelle embodies all that the Martial Artist of the Year stands for and more—she is a woman of impeccable integrity, steadfast loyalty to her training and her students, and devoted service to the PAWMA community. As an organization, PAWMA has benefited from Michelle's commitment as a Board member, her on-going participation as a teacher at training camps, and her "behind-the-scenes" service as a role model to many women martial artists...

Sifu Michelle exemplifies what it means to be a martial artist—in mind, body and spirit.

Sifu McVadon was also honored in 2003 by the International Martial Arts Council of America, which inducted her into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

See the Photos page for more pictures of Sifu Michelle in action, including pictures from her Jujitsu Shodan test.

Name:	Allyson Riley
Rank:	4th degree black belt in Kajukenbo

Allyson started training at Seven Star in 1993 and holds the rank of fourth degree black belt in Kajukenbo. In addition to teaching at Seven Star, she works as a licensed aesthetician and has the joy of being mom to daughter Charlotte. In her free time (ha ha), Allyson goes to yoga class, walks her Welsh corgi and enjoys a glass of red wine with her husband John.

Name:	Jordan Blair
Rank:	2nd degree black belt in Kajukenbo

Jordan is devoted to empowering women through self-defense. She has been training at Seven Star since July 2000, and teaching since 2003. She received her first degree black belt in August of 2005. In 2006 she started training in Bo Fung Do with Master Uyen Pham. During a short leave of absence in 2008, she trained in New York and became a certified ground fighting instructor. Upon her return she received her 2nd degree black belt in June 2009. Jordan continues to train in both Kajukenbo and Bo Fung Do and has studied Traditional Northern Shaolin Kung Fu with Sifu Debbie Leung.

Name:	Esther Howard
Rank:	2nd degree black belt in Kajukenbo

Esther Howard earned her first degree black belt in 2002. She has been teaching at Seven Star since 1995 and is committed to the school for how it helps women to become physically fit, find and develop their power, and enjoy a sense of community. Esther's involvement in the martial arts extends beyond the walls of Seven Star. She was on the board of the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists from 2005 to 2008 and served as its president for 2 years.

Name:	Kate Wharton
Rank:	1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo

Kate Wharton began her training at Seven Star in 2001, receiving her first-degree black belt in 2007. She also trained for a year at Fifth River Poekoelan. A screenwriter, producer, and picture book author, Kate loves stories that empower women and children. She is continually inspired by the courage and tenacity of her training partners at Seven Star. Never athletic, nor a "natural" at Kung Fu, Kate's ability to learn a martial art has taught her that any task is achievable with enough perseverance. Armed with this knowledge, Kate vows to reveal to the world one of Kajukenbo's darkest secrets: it's really fun!

Name:	Carolyn Pearson
Rank:	1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo

Carolyn originally began her training at Seven Star in 1991. After spending her formative years as a confirmed bookworm, couch potato, and hater of P.E. class, she was surprised and delighted to find a physical activity that she both liked and was not completely terrible at. She enjoys the combined mental and physical challenge of training in the martial arts, and especially loves introducing new students to the art of Kajukenbo. Carolyn has been a teacher at Seven Star since 2003, and received her first-degree black belt in 2009. She also trained for three years in an eclectic style based in Tae Kwon Do.