Instructors

Julian AprileJA Headshot09

Julian grew up in Lakebay, WA where he earned his black belt in Isshinryu Karate. He graduated from Peninsula High School and earned a BA from the University of Washington where he also played rugby.  Julian then spent 4 years in Seattle working in recreation management and training in kung fu.  He later moved back to Gig Harbor where he learned Combat Arnis and became a personal trainer.  In 2009, Julian launched his San Do Kuen (Three Way Fist) martial arts curriculum.

Julian is inspired by the impact martial arts practice has on character development, health and longevity. He continues to train heavily in several martial arts and fitness programs. He is living his dream as the Owner & Head Instructor at Gig Harbor Karate Academy.  Julian lives in Gig Harbor with his wife Lauren (who is also a GHKA instructor) and two sons Aidan & Luca.

As an instructor, Julian specializes in youth martial arts lessons (ages 4-12 years) and private training sessions for adult fitness and martial arts development.

David Bird

guro-daveGuro David Bird began his martial arts studies in 1966 at a Judo school in Key West, Florida. Mr. Bird moved to Dallas, Texas in 1969 and began his study of Tae Kwon Do. Mr. Bird, after relocating to Seattle, Washington, received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1977. In 1979 Mr. Bird moved to Tacoma, Washington where he met Master Brocka and began his Arnis training. Guro Bird trained intensively with Master Brocka until 1984. Guro Bird has also trained with the Presas brothers, and the Filipino National Arnis Team. Through much of the 1990’s Guro Bird trained with and sponsored seminars with Sifu Richard Bustillo. Sifu Bustillo is a former student of Bruce Lee and a training partner of Dan Inosanto.

For more information on Remy Presas, please visit www.modernarnis.com. For more information on Sifu Richard Bustillo, please visit www.imbacademy.com.

Guro Bird’s certifications are:

  • 1977 black belt Tae Kwon Do
  • 1983 1st Antas Red Philippine Combat Arnis
  • 1983 1st Dan Shotokan Karate
  • 1989 5th Dan Shotokan Karate

Guro Bird competed heavily in tournaments from 1983 to 1990, taking titles in weapons, kumite, and forms. He also was featured in numerous martial arts magazines from 1984 to 1990.

From 1995 to 2000 Mr. Bird owned and operated the Tae-Sho Kickboxing-Arnis-Submission gym in Tacoma. Mr. Bird not only taught Arnis, but incorporated into his unique style Boxing, Kickboxing and Grappling skills. During this time, he was not only a teacher, but a coach to many amateur and professional fighters.

Guro Bird began teaching at the Gig Harbor Karate Academy in August of 2004.

Lauren Pekala

Lauren Headshot2Lauren was born on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1984. She later moved to Lakebay, WA where she lived until the age of 18. After high school she attended the University of Hawaii, Manoa.

Feeling a bit homesick for seasonal climate change, Lauren moved back to Washington to attend The Evergreen State College where she pursued her interest in Figure Drawing and sculpture, later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Lauren has been practicing martial arts at GHKA for 5 years and is a first degree black belt in Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu, and has settled down in the Pacific Northwest where she continues to cultivate her interest and excitement for martial arts and fitness instruction.  Lauren is married to GHKA Head Instructor Julian Aprile and they reside in Gig Harbor where they operate the Academy.

Lauren currently specializes in Choy Lay Fut instruction and leads the GHKA Boot Camp program.