About Us / Instructors
Dojo Karate’s Mission
Our mission at Dojo Karate is to help each student reach his or her highest personal potential; and to provide them the lifelong benefits of participating in the martial arts, through professional, superior karate instructions. Our students have the opportunity to advance through various belt ranks in order to achieve the ultimate goal of Black Belt. These advancements take place through goal setting, one-on-one tutoring and involvement in tournaments both in and out of our schools.Dojo’s Policy - Customer First
We will provide the best service in order to reach your goals, specifically in the areas of:- Self-confidence
- Respect
- Discipline
- Self-defense
Dojo’s Instructors
Elk River, MN - Keith Stormoen
Mr. Stormoen received his Black Belt in 1998, his 2nd degree in June of 2000, his 3rd degree in 2003 and his 4th degree Black Belt in March of 2009. He has been actively involved in karate for over 15 years, and has 4 years experience in jiu-jitsu. Previously, Mr. Stormoen taught gymnasts for 7 years. As a competitor, Stormoen has placed 1st in Musical Forms in international competition, as well as 3rd and 4th places in Sparring and Weapons competitions. He has also appeared in the video documentary “Jackie Chan’s Greatest Stuntsand Fights.”
Elk River, MN - Kevin Teachout
Mr. Teachout is a head instructor at Dojo Karate’s Elk River location.Buffalo, MN - Chris Hourscht
Mr. Hourscht has over 20 years experience in the Martial Arts. He received his Black Belt in 1993, his 2nd degree in 1996, his 3rd degree in 1999, 4th degree in 2004, and his 5th degree Black Belt in 2009. As a competitor, he has placed 4th for 2 consecutive years in Continuous Sparring at the World Super Grand Championships, and was a 5-time Grand Champion in team forms with the North Central Karate Association (NCKA). He has also appeared in the video documentary “Jackie Chan’s Greatest Stunts and Fights.”Buffalo, MN - Joey Dalton
Mr. Dalton is an instructor at Dojo Karate's Buffalo location.Buffalo, MN - John Morse
Mr. Morse is an instructor at Dojo Karate's Buffalo location.Waconia, MN - Janelle Cote
Ms. Cote is the School Director/Head Instructor at Waconia. She is currently a 2nd Degree Black Belt and has competed in the NCKA tournaments since being a Green Belt. At the Black Belt level, she has been ranked 1st in Musical Forms and Creative Forms. She won the 2007 NCKA Women’s -18-29 Grand Champion in Forms while being an avid member and instructor on Team Evolution. Ms. Cote also has experience in gymnastic competition and coaching.Waconia, MN - Travis Gelhaye
Mr. Gelhaye is an instructor at Dojo Karate's Waconia location.Monticello, MN - Leonard Zepeda
Mr. Zepeda started martial arts at the age of 5, learning Korean Tang Soo Do. He became a Junior Assistant Instructor at the age of 9 and at 12 he began training in traditional Tae Kwon Do, competing in Olympic style sparring. In 2004 Zepeda received his Black Belt in American Tae Kwon Do and in 2006 received his 2nd Degree Black Belt. He is the instructor at Dojo Karate’s Monticello location.Monticello, MN - Michelle Roske
Ms. Roske is a head instructor at Dojo Karate’s Monticello location.Rogers, MN - Stephen Hilgart
Mr. Hilgart has been training in the martial arts for over 16 years. He is currently a 3rd Degree Black Belt and has trained in several martial arts styles, including American Tae Kwon Do, American Karate, OkinawanShorei-Ryu Karate, and Xtreme Martial Arts.
Hilgart is also a certified personal fitness trainer, group fitness instructor, and has certifications in basic nutrition and sports related injury management. He has trained and taught realistic street self-defense systems, which include Compliance Direction Take-down (CDT), Self-defense Training for Occupational Protection (STOP), and Real World Defense (RWD). He is the instructor at Dojo Karate’s Rogers location.