Meet Our Instructors

SENSEI NIKHIL JOSHI

Sensei
4th Degree Black Belt
Director of Placentia Campus
Senior Instructor

Maximizing My Students’ Potential

I began studying with Shihan Wenneberg at the tender age of 6. When I was 9, I was assisting and teaching classes at AMAA. I grew up at AMAA, and I never left. Why would I’m Looking back, as a teenager I would have gotten into a lot of trouble without martial arts and AMAA in my life. As an adult, I am reminded every day of the lifelong benefits martial arts has given me. My sense of self-worth, humility, and belonging are directly tied to lessons I have learned from my AMAA family.

Given all of the challenges in the world today, I know that if more people chose to devote themselves to martial arts training and discipline, the world would be a better place.

My wife Megan and I manage AMAA’s Placentia Campus. We are honored to help both children and adults maximize their potential. My personal goal is to help as many people as possible achieve the rank of Black Belt because I know that achieving this rank is often directly tied to a person becoming all they can be in every aspect of their life.

SENSEI MEGAN JOSHI

3rd Degree Black Belt
Head Instructor
CPR & First Aid Certified

I Love Working With Children & The Community

I first walked through the doors of AMAA when I was 15. In 2007, I earned my Black Belt. I cannot imagine life with AMAA. Where would I be without this Dojo? This place, these people, mean everything to me.

During my college years, I worked with the Brea Olinda Unified School District’s child care program, earning Employee of the Year in 2008. After I graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2011, I began teaching with AMAA full time.

Nikhil and I devote our time and energies to developing stronger children and families. We want to make our community a better place to live. I’m an active member of the Placentia and Yorba Linda Chambers of Commerce and our team works closely with many schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

MR. ADAM RIGSBY

2nd Degree Black Belt
Assistant Head Instructor

My Students Journey Is My Passion

Like many kids, I participated in multiple sports, searching for an activity that appealed to me and where I could excel. Despite my best efforts, I did not find what I was looking for until I started training at AMAA. At 14, I began my journey from White Belt student to Black Belt instructor. My passion for martial arts grew as I progressed, as did my confidence and my ability to apply my success at AMAA to every other aspect of my life.

Becoming an instructor at the very place that literally changed my life and set me on a path to personal fulfillment and achievement is both an honor and a dream come true. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to a place and to a community that has had such a positive impact on my life.

What lessons do I teach my students? Karate for sure, but much more. I work hard to pass on the character traits I first learned at AMAA - persistence, determination, and resilience.

Especially for my younger students, I want everyone I teach to appreciate the inestimable value of pushing yourself so that you can enjoy every moment that life throws at you.

Trust The AMAA System, It Works

3rd Degree Black Belt
Senior Instructor
Program Director
CPR & First Aid Certified

Creating A Lifelong Positive Impact For My Students

I began studying with Shihan Wenneberg at the tender age of 6. When I was 9, I was assisting and teaching classes at AMAA. I grew up at AMAA, and I never left. Why would I? Looking back, as a teenager I would have gotten into a lot of trouble without martial arts and AMAA in my life. As an adult, I am reminded every day of the lifelong benefits martial arts has given me. My sense of self-worth, humility, and belonging are directly tied to lessons I have learned from my AMAA family.

MS. LYA QUEVEDO

2nd Degree Black Belt
Front Desk and Office Manager

Bringing Many Talents to AMAA

I started at AMAA in 2001. By 2002, I was already a member of the family. From the outset, I was “all in” with the core values and philosophy taught at AMAA. In 2004, I received my Shodan Ho.

Like all of us here, I know how special AMAA is, a community unlike any other. That is why I will be proudly celebrating 20 years of association with this Dojo next year.

While I love martial arts, it is not my only interest. I love to sew, anything from clothes to quilts to blankets. Photography and drawing have always been a part of my life. I enjoy rockhounding and camping and have a love for the outdoors, both nature and animals.

Supporting our military men and women is important to me, so I do volunteer work with military organizations associated with Camp Pendleton.

MRS. CRYSTAL WENNEBERG

Bringing Many Talents to AMAA
2nd Degree Black Belt in Goju Shin-Ryu
After School & Summer Camp Director
Black Belt Instructor
CPR & First Aid Certified

When People Walk Into This Dojo, They Feel At Home

I moved to Fullerton when I was 18. I didn’t know a soul. On top of that, I was timid. Back then, I had the hardest time meeting new people. From the moment I walked into AMAA, I felt comfortable, accepted, and challenged. My training in martial arts has given me discipline, respect, and physical strength. Even more importantly, I’m not nearly as shy as I used to be. Before AMAA, the thought of standing up in front of a group of people and talking to them terrified me. Now I regularly teach and speak in front of a class.
AMAA demands excellence and respect from every student, regardless of their age or background. Kids who train here have great role models who inspire them to go out into the world and make a real difference. Seeing the world through the innocent and optimistic eyes of our youth has had a profound impact on me as a person and as an instructor. My single greatest joy is watching our youngsters become responsible and disciplined young people.

MS LYN BLOCK

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – UC Irvine
Master’s Degree in Social Work – USC
After School & Summer Camp Director

Creating A Place Where Children Can Shine

I have always wanted to work with children. For my entire life, this has been my strongest passion. Since I have four kids of my own, I get plenty of practice at home! After earning degrees at UC Irvine and USC, I was certified in Early Childhood Education.

Why am I working at AMAA? Because I believe in the core values we teach here. I know how much martial arts training benefits youngsters. On top of all that great stuff, I get to do fun, silly, and creative things with the kids! What could be better than that? Nothing.

I love my job and all of my AMAA family.
I look forward to meeting your kids and helping them become outstanding young people. You could not put your children into a better program than the ones we offer at AMAA.

MRS. DANA HANEY

Shodan – 1st Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
BS in Computer Science, UC Riverside
Graduate of AMAA Instructor-Business College

I Switched Careers From Engineering To Karate

My involvement with AMAA began in 2004 when my daughters Rita and Megan started training here. I could not have known back then how much AMAA would become an integral part of my life. AMAA literally became my family when Megan married Sensei Joshi! That was sure a happy day. As was the day I retired from a 30-year career in Engineering and took the job of studio managing the front desk.

I liked my old position, but I love being a full-time member of the AMAA team. While it was a radical career change for me, working with my kids and husband Jack every day (Jack is AMAA’s resident photographer) is so much fun.

I tell anyone and everyone that AMAA’s martial arts program is simply the best. Everyone here works as hard as possible to help every student reach their full potential.

MS. VERONICA ANGUIANO

Office Manager

I Love Being Part Of An Amazing Team!

At the American Martial Arts Academy (AMAA), we are all about helping people become healthier, happier, and more confident. Our philosophy is that martial arts is for everybody, no matter if your 6 or 86 (or anywhere in between). We provide the best martial arts experience for your entire family by combining outstanding instructors with state of the art facilities. Our Karate and fitness programs tone your body, clear your mind, and cleanse your spirit.

Nine years ago, I started at AMAA as an Administrative Assistant. Three years later, I became the Office Manager, a position I still hold. The best part of working at AMAA is the people ? the staff, the parents and students. I make personal connections with everyone around me, and that?s something I treasure. I know others have said this, but it is so true ? AMAA is both a family and a Dojo. The positive energy created by what we do is fantastic!

In 2020, I became a mom for the first time. My husband and I love spending time together with our baby and our German Shepherd, Samantha. I recently joined a walking group for mothers, which helped kick start my weight loss journey.

MS. JANACK WONG

After School & Summer Camp Lead, Placentia
Student at Cal State Fullerton – Studying to Become an Elementary School Teacher

I Love Helping Kids Thrive At AMAA

For the past six years, I have been working in AMAA’s After-School and Summer Camp Programs.

From the moment I started at this Dojo, everyone was welcoming and supportive. One of the best things about AMAA is that I am encouraged to bring new ideas to the job. That not only keeps things interesting, but it also allows me to contribute and makes me feel respected.

During my free time, I love to cook, work with wood, and spend time with my husband, family, and friends.