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5th Dan, Shotokan Karate

3rd Dan, Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido BMA Instructor

Dr. Gray started his training in March of 2005, I.T.F. Tae Kwon Do and Shotokan Karate under Master Michael Pierce, founder of Midwest Self-Defense Arts Association. He earned his 1st-5th degree in Shotokan Karate from Master David Thompson. 

Dr. Gray earned his 1st-3rd degree black belt in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido under Master David Thompson. He is the Iaido Sword instructor for Blissfield Martial Arts.

3rd Dan, Shotokan Karate, BMA Instructor and Owner

Mr. Fox started his training in early 2000 in Isshinryu Karate at the American Okinawan Karate Academy under Sensei Richard Ballard. Mr. Fox started studying Shotokan Karate at Blissfield Martial Arts in March of 2014.

Mr. Fox earned his first Dan black belt in February of 2016. He has continued in his study of Shotokan Karate and received the rank of 3rd Dan and Instructor title in November of 2020.

He also studied Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu under Dr. William Gray. 

3rd Dan, Shotokan Karate, Instructor at BMA

1st Dan Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido 

Mr. O’Donnell started his martial arts training in 2005 in Tae Kwon Do and Shotokan Karate at the Midwest Self Defense Arts Association under Master Michael Pierce in Monroe, Michigan. In 2006 he began to study Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido in the same organization. In 2006 he began to train at Blissfield Martial Arts, which was an affiliate school of the Midwest Self Defense Arts Association at that time.

In 2008 Mr. O’Donnell earned his first Dan in Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do. This was followed by a second Dan in Shotokan Karate in 2012 as well as a first Dan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido. In 2015 he earned his third Dan and instructor rank in Shotokan Karate.

Mr. O’Donnell is continuing his studies today almost 20 years after starting his martial arts journey. He is currently chasing an elusive fourth Dan in Shotokan karate as well as his second Dan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido while continuing to train the next generation of students.

3rd Dan, Shotokan Karate, BMA Instructor

1st Dan, Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido

Mr. Andres first practiced Martial Arts at the Southside Dojo in Portage, Michigan from 2006 to 2010.  He primarily focused on Judo, but he also experimented with Karate and Aikido.  He started Shotokan Karate at Blissfield Martial Arts on April 22, 2015, along with his wife and three daughters.  On March 22, 2020, he earned his 2nd Dan from Blissfield Martial Arts with his wife Dixie and three daughters.  This accomplishment made them the only family at Blissfield Martial Arts to complete all the required tests together up to this rank as a family unit.  He continued his Martial Arts journey in the study of Shotokan Karate and Kobudo which moved him up to 3rd Dan Instructor Level at Blissfield Martial Arts on August 5, 2023.

In addition to being 3rd Dan in Shotokan Karate, Mr. Andres is 1st Dan in Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu (Japanese Katana).

3rd Dan, Shotokan Karate, BMA Instructor

Dixie Andres encountered Martial Arts in college with an introductory class to Tae Kwon Do (1993).  She took basic Kick Box at Health Trec (1999-2009) & Aikido at Southside Dojo in Portage Michigan (2006-2010). She started Shotokan Karate at Blissfield Martial Arts in 2015.  She earned 1st Dan black belt with her family under Master David Thompson, Dr. William Gray, and Master Michael Saxton (2018). They continued to 2nd Dan (2020) making them the first family at Blissfield Martial Arts to achieve all tests up to 2nd Dan as a family unit.  She continued to 3rd Dan (2023) so she could teach and provide families the same opportunity.  Dixie Andres has a passion and dedication to inspiring students to be the best they can be by promoting dedication and self-improvement by learning self-defense through the Martial Arts..

1st Dan, Shotokan Karate, BMA Instructor

Mrs. Risch is an instructor for the children’s classes and specializes in the youngest class designed for 4–6-year-olds. She is dedicated to helping others, while growing in her own skills and taking classes with her husband and sons.