Isshinryu Karate
Instructors
Sensei Julian Aprile
- A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
- Isshinryu Karate Black Belt
- Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu Instructor
- Combat Arnis Black Belt
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. Currently he resides in Gig Harbor where he teaches Isshinryu Karate and Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu. Julian is also a nationally certified personal trainer and a father of two boys Aidan and Luca.
Julian is inspired by the impact martial arts practice has on character development, health and longevity. He is continuing his training in Isshinryu, Choy Lay Fut as well as Philippine Combat Arnis.
He is living his dream as the Head Instructor at Gig Harbor Karate Academy.
Sensei Darrin Tollefson
Darrin Tollefson is a Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) who has been training at the Gig Harbor Karate Academy since March 2004.
His passion for martial arts started when he was a teenager growing up in Minnesota and has continued through the years. As a teen, he trained for a while in tae-kwan-do, and became a huge fan of martial arts movies.
Mr. Tollefson returned to martial arts after his sons enrolled at the academy and he could not resist watching from outside the Dojo — he hasn’t stopped since. A former U.S. Army soldier who trained to jump out of airplanes, Mr. Tollefson has enjoyed a variety of outdoors activities including mountain biking in Alaska, fishing, hiking and camping.
Darrin is the father of three sons and has lived on the Key Peninsula since 2001 after enjoying more than 10 years of living among mouse and mountains in Anchorage, Alaska.