::WESTCHESTER MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY::

We specialize in MMA training TAKE A LOOK!
WMAA offers an excellent children's Program TAKE A LOOK!

Meet The Instructors

Chuck Giangreco: Owner/Chief Instructor

Chuck has been actively training in the martial arts for twenty years. His life-long goal has been to seek out and study the best martial arts and train with superior instructors. This quest has led him to acquire a diverse background and to be certified by some of the foremost martial artists of our time.

Chuck has taught martial art seminars around the world for a wide range of audiences- the general public, law enforcement and military groups; including NYPD, FBI, US Navy Seals and US Army Special Forces.

Chuck's certifications are under several notable instructors.
• Instructor Certification in Jun Fan Gung Fu/ Jeet Kune Do, the Filipino Martial Arts and Maphilindo Silat under Sifu Dan Inosanto (Bruce Lee's protégé).
• Full Instructor under Guro Harley Elmore Warrior's Way International
• Level 5 in Giron Arnis Eskrima under Grandmaster Tony Somera
• Associate Instructor 4 Katipunan 2 in Sayoc Kali under Tuhon Chris Sayoc

In addition he has trained with other elite instructors such as Ajarn "Chai" Sirisute (President of the Muay Thai Association USA), the late Pendekar Herman Suwanda (Head of Mande Muda Penjak Silat) and consistently trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under world champion Sean Alvarez.

Chuck not only loves training in the martial arts he has developed the love to teach and help others benefit from the martial arts as he has. This led him to open his school, The Westchester Martial Arts Academy (WMAA) in 2003. Chuck teaches both adults and children, one of his favorite programs is the WMAA "Flagship" program, the Juniors Black Belt Club. Chuck's strength as an instructor is his ability to cultivate each student individually. He realizes that every student develops differently and has their personal strengths and weaknesses. Guro Chuck makes sure to take each of his students under his wing and uses the martial arts as a vehicle to help them become successful at the academy, in school, at home and in life.

Kara Giangreco: Owner/Senior Instructor

Kara began her martial arts career in 1995 studying Tae Kwon Do in Miami, Florida. She was an active competitor and won several championships including the gold medal in the Connecticut State Championship which earned her a national ranking.

Kara's certifications are under several notable instructors.
• Instructor Certification in Jun Fan Gung Fu/ Jeet Kune Do, the Filipino Martial Arts under Sifu Dan Inosanto (Bruce Lee's protégé).
• Full Instructor under Guro Harley Elmore Warrior's Way International
• Level 4 in Giron Arnis Eskrima under Grandmaster Tony Somera
• Associate Instructor 3 Katipunan in Sayoc Kali under Tuhon Chris Sayoc
• Honored to be elected the Woman of the Year by Filipino Martial Arts Magazine

Kara began her training in Jeet Kune Do Concepts and the Filipino Martial Arts in 1999 and holds instructor certification under Bruce Lee's protégé, Sifu Dan Inosanto to teach Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do Concepts and the Filipino Martial Arts. In addition she is certified by Guro Harley Elmore, founder of Warrior's Way International, to teach Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do Concepts, the Filipino Martial Arts and Muay Thai/Thaiboxing. Kara has trained extensively under Tuhon Chris Sayoc, 5th Generation inheritor and head of Sayoc Kali and holds the rank of Associate Instructor Level 3.

Kara continually improves her teaching methods by studying and researching childhood development and cognitive learning modalities to provide the best age specific programs in the area.

Dylan Cathers: Assistant Instructor

Dylan a life-long martial artist was one of the first students at Westchester Martial Arts Academy when it first opened in 2003. Dylan is an Apprentice Instructor Level 3and in October 2009 will test for Full Instructor under Guro Chuck Giangreco and the head of Warrior's Way International, Guro Harley Elmore. Dylan is also a candidate for Instructor Certification in Jun Fan Gung Fu/ Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts under Sifu Dan Inosanto (Bruce Lee's protégé).

Denise DeCesare: Fitness Instructor

Denise has been a professional in the fitness industry for over 20 years. Her fitness philosophy is derived from her experience as a college athlete as she learned to overcome obstacles and as a team captain to create positive reinforcement for her team mates. She has a passion to teach, educate and make a new fitness professional or novice member feel successful.
Denise has a BA from Fordham University and a MA from Columbia University. Her professional career in Programming and Directing includes 6 years for Town Sports International and over 7 years for Equinox in both Group FItness, Personal Training and Traning and Development. She has written articles for Shape Magazine, Family Circle, Westchester Magazine, Gotham and The Journal News. Her Primary certifications include CSCS, NASM, NSCA-CPT, ACSM, M.E.S Post Rehab Specialist, ISCA Athletic Trainer and CHEK level 1 Practicioner.

Speciality certifications include Kettlebell Concepts Levels 1,2, and group exercise, AI stretch, TRX Suspension Training,, Core Fusion and ACSM Pre and Post Natal. Her Pilates training was done through Stott Pilates in Full Apparatus and Comprehensive Matwork. Additionally, Denise has completed workshops with Polestar in Rehab and function.

Denise is also a Footwear tester for Nike International and is a per diem staff member for college and professional sports team in the Strength and Conditioning and Flexibility departments. She is currently working to defend her dissertation at Columbia University in order to obtain her PHD.