Ron Jones, 5th Dan - Owner

Master Ron Jones is Chief Instructor and owner of Mercer Academy of Martial Arts. Master Jones began his training in the Korean Art of Tang Soo Do in 1980 in Trenton, NJ. Grandmaster J.C. Shin, President of the World Tang Soo Do Association, was Master Jones' first instructor, and from whom he received his first Dan black belt. He also trained with Master Charles Irwin and Master Denis James for many years while at Shin karate, then went on to train under the late Master Denis James and the American Korean Karate Association. Master Jones was the first student of Master James to receive a 4th Dan black belt. While teaching for and training under Master James, Master Jones started the Jones Karate Club at the YWCA Princeton, as well as Center Stage Karate in Florence, NJ.

Master Jones, now a 5th Dan black belt, is a dedicated and inspiring teacher of karate. He brings the teachings of his various instructors into the dojo, continuing in the tradition of a true martial artist. Along with his energy and enthusiasm in the classroom, he is a Master at recognizing a student's strengths and encouraging each student to reach his/her full potential. His commitment and dedication to his students and to the martial arts world have helped hundreds of students lead a more disciplined and focused lifestyle, and have in turn inspired Master Jones to continue his pursuit of success in the martial arts field.

LAURIE DEUMBERTO, 4th Dan

Master Laurie DeUmberto has been a martial artist for 15 years. She began her training with the late Master Denis James, and has trained for many years with Master Ron Jones and Master Charles Irwin. Master Laurie earned her 4th Dan, Master rank in October 2003.

She "loves teaching children", and it's evident in her consistency and dedication to the kids classes for the past 10 years. Master Laurie also spends extra time teaching kids tournament classes and has been a competitor herself for 8 years.

She has won 3 Grand Championship trophies and numerous trophies at all levels. Master Laurie continues to train for tournaments.

VALERIE LAYNE, 4th Dan

Master Layne began her martial arts training in 1988 under the guidance of Master Denis James and Master Ron Jones, and is the first woman at the school to achieve the rank of 4th Dan. Master Layne also holds an advanced belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. Her Jiujitsu training began in 1995 and she has trained with the Gracies at their academy in Torrance, California. She continues to train with Phil and Rick Migliarese at their Relson Gracie jiujitsu school in Philadelphia. Master Layne is experienced in teaching adults and children and considers women self-defense to be an area of special interest. She has taught women's self-defense programs and seminars at Gold's Gym and Princeton University.

In June 2004 Master Layne passed rigorous written and practical examinations as an ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor. Her certification by the American College of Sports Medicine is recognized as the gold standard.

RON KUBINSKI, 3rd Dan

Mr. Kubinski is a third degree black belt at Mercer Academy of Martial Arts, having trained in Martial Arts for 14 years and taught for 8 years.

The roots of his training are in Tang Soo Do and consist of forms, self-defense, and drills.  Ron achieved his black belt in 1996 from the American Korean Karate Association. 

He has progressed in weapons, ground fighting, and practical self-defense through training with many instructors, members, and friends.

Greg Giordono, 2nd Dan

Mr. Gregory J. Giordano began his martial arts training in 1997 under Master Denis James and Master Charles Irwin. Mr. Giordano was awarded the rank of 2nd Dan by Master Ron Jones, in December, 2004.

He began his teaching in 2000 by assisting Master James with children's classes and presently teaches the adult class on Wednesday nights (alternating with Mr. Murray). His classes focus on self-defense, kickboxing and conditioning.

Mr. Giordano has trained in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, under Master James and has attended seminars with Phil Migliarese of Balance Studios and Japanese Jiu-jitsu with Sensei Tom McDermott. He has weapons training in the use of sword and staff with Master Charles Irwin and sword with Sensei Rob Rivers. He has also attended boxing class with Boxer Jim "Rocky" McCray and has practiced self-defense in the other styles. Mr. Giordano continues to train under the direction of Masters Jones and Irwin. He has special interest in weapons training and heavy breaking.

Mr. Giordano is a practicing trial attorney in central New Jersey, and the father of four.

STEVE SAGNIP, 2nd Dan

Mr. Sagnip started training in 1997 under Master Denis James achieving his 2nd Dan rank in October 2005.  Mr. Sagnip has taught a beginner adults class more than three years, and continues as an assistant instructor under Master Jones and other advance black belts in order to advance his own teaching skills. 

He has competed in numerous tournaments earning 1st place trophies in Weapons, Forms, and Board Breaking.  Mr. Sagnip believes in explaining the purpose of technique is critical to mastering the technique.  A typical class may include drills in traditional marching techniques, katas, standup self-defense, ground/mat grappling, trips and throws, falling techniques, and “basic” free sparing and grappling. 

Mr. Sagnip believes in advancing his own skills. He has trained in Yoshitsune Jujitsu and currently also trains in Isshinryu.

MARY ANN HARPEL, 2nd Dan

Mary Ann Harpel Mary Ann Harpel has been training karate for over 7 years and achieved the rank of 2nd Dan in October 2005. Mary Ann has been a teaching assistant under Master Ron Jones of the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts in Ewing, NJ for 6 years, and teaches Mondays and alternate Friday and Saturday kids classes. Mary Ann brings a great deal of enthusiasm and energy into the classroom and has many years of teaching experience, having been a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer for 23 years. Her current area of specialty in the fitness arena is Kickboxing.

She also teaches basic self-defense courses for women at RWJ Center for Health & Wellness, as well as at the Fitness Center at Merrill Lynch. In addition to her regular karate training, Mary Ann trains separately to prepare for tournaments, and has been competing successfully in both Forms and Weapons for the past 6 years. She started the Little Dragons program at Mercer Academy in January 2005 to bring karate-based and life skills to preschool students. Mary Ann is the Program Coordinator for the Karate Kids/Little Dragons programs at RWJ Center for Health & Wellness located in Hamilton NJ. In September 2006 this program will expand to the Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center in Princeton NJ and at that time adult classes will also be offered in both facilities. These programs are running with the full support and backing of Master Ron Jones and Mercer Academy of Martial Arts. Mary Ann is honored and excited to be expanding the Mercer Academy Martial Arts program beyond the Ewing area.

Brad Murray, 2nd Dan

Brad Murray began training in 2000 under Master James and Master Irwin. He earned his current rank of 2nd Dan in October 2005. Brad teaches the adult class on Wednesday nights (alternating with Mr. Giordano) and trains as often as possible.

Brad's typical classes begin with an aerobic, drill-based workout and move into various self- defense and grappling techniques. Brad prefers the use of joint locks and submission techniques to actual strikes when possible.

Edward Rankin Gainsborg, Jr., 1st Dan

Edward Gainsborg started his training in martial arts in the mid 1980’s while a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. While in college Ed was a member of VMI’s intramural karate club and varsity fencing team. It was this combination that naturally lead to his interest in kendo and then finally iaido, which he has continued to study and practice privately for the past twenty years.

Edward resumed his formal martial arts training in 1999 at James Karate with Master Denis James. He continues to train today at the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts under the instruction and guidance of Master Ron Jones and Master Charles Irwin. Ed has also trained recently at the Virginia Academy of Kempo-Karate with Sensei Rob Rivers.

Mr. Gainsborg is an active member of the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts’ tournament team and in the past six years he has won over fifty trophies in Forms, Weapons and Breaking at both the local and national level.

Edward Gainsborg currently holds a 1st degree black belt from the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts and he leads the iaido study group class here at the dojo.

Assistant Instructor Eli Cadoff

Eli Cadoff started his karate training with Master Jones, when Eli was in kindergarten and Master Jones was the director of the Jones Karate Club at the YWCA in Princeton.  Eli, who is now 16, earned his black belt (Cho Dan) at the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts in October, 2005.

Eli and his father Evan, who is a red belt, train several nights a week, and particularly like jujitsu classes and learning to work with new weapons such as Sai and Tonfa.  Eli also trains with Master Irwin in the Tournament Class, working on both bo and hand forms.

Currently, Eli is the assistant teacher in Master Laurie DeUmberto’s beginner karate class on Wednesdays and Master Jones beginner and intermediate/advance kid classes on Saturdays. He enjoys working with the young students, helping them to learn not just the kicks and punches and forms, but also the importance of respect, concentration and mental attitude in karate training.

Susan Jones, 1st Dan

Susan Jones has been training karate for 7 ½ years. She is a 1st degree black belt. She began her training with Master Charles Irwin and has trained with Grandmaster J.C. Shin, the late Master Denis James, and Master Ron Jones. Susan met her husband Master Ron Jones when they began training together at Shin Karate. Their children now practice the Art of Karate, too. Mrs. Jones also manages the business end of Mercer Academy of Martial Arts along with Master Jones.

Susan has competed in several tournaments and has placed in sparring and forms. She currently teaches the Little Dragons 3-5 year olds at Mercer Academy. She also has a degree in Music Education and teaches Preschool Music. She loves working with children. Whether Mrs. Jones is teaching Karate or Music, she enjoys seeing the children grow in self-confidence, self-discipline, improving their techniques and most of all having fun!

Kelly Wittkop