Our Instructors
Head Instructors
The Head Instructors of the Bushido Karate Association have each been training in karate for at least 25 years, each with at least 15 years of experience instructing karate, fitness, and self defence programs in the Edmonton area. Our instructors are committed to creating a training environment for members to train in a safe, fun, and engaging way.
Sensei James Freeman
6th Dan, Head Instructor
Adult Program Lead
Founder of The Bushido Karate Association
2022 SWKKF Leadership Award
Sensei James Freeman, 6th Dan, has been teaching youth programs in the University area since 1989. Sensei started karate in September 1985 at the University of Alberta and received his Shodan by August 1990. He has competed in many competitions over the years, winning in both kata and kumite, and went to the National SWKKF Tournament in 1992 and 1996.
Sensei Freeman has also studied Iyengar yoga and has competed in numerous triathlon and running competitions since 2003. He is a two-time 1/2 Ironman finisher, and a six-time 1/2 marathon finisher with a personal best at the 2007 Okanagan Half Marathon of 1:27:35. He studied Resistance Training with the Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association, and has brought free weights, resistance bands, and stability balls into the core karate training program for adults. In 2008, Sensei was certified by Sensei Iain Abernethy as an Instructor in his Bunkai Jutsu teaching methods. Since 2010, Sensei has been an Outdoor and Indoor Soccer coach with the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association. Sensei Freeman is a Professional Engineer with APEGA, and received both an MBA and a MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta. He owns his own consulting company Valentis International Inc, sits on Boards, is an active angel investor and Executive-in-Residence with the Foresight CleanTech Accelerator, advises the Alberta IoT Association, and is SVP Digital Strategy at Westgen Technologies Inc.
Sensei Freeman achieved his 6th Dan on May 5th, 2018, in Edmonton.
Sensei Craig Pettie
5th Dan, Head Instructor
Adult Program Lead
Founder of The Bushido Karate Association
Sensei Craig Pettie, 5th Dan, started karate in 1989 and received his first degree black belt rank in 1992. He has been teaching youth and adult karate programs since 1991. He received his Godan in May of 2019.
In addition to karate instruction, Sensei Pettie has many years of experience working with children in a variety of therapeutic settings and disciplines (Psychology, School Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy). In 2002 Sensei Pettie shifted careers and is now in the Information Technology industry as a Systems Analyst/Developer.
Sensei Scott Knowles
4th Dan, Head Instructor
Adult Program Lead, Youth Program Lead
Former National Team Member
2021 SWKKF Leadership Award
Sensei Scott Knowles, 4th Dan, began training in karate in 1994 at the age six. He earned the rank of Shodan in May of 2007, Nidan in May of 2010, Sandan in May of 2014, and Yodan in May of 2019. Sensei Scott has been teaching youth and adult students since 2002, and has taken on the role of Head Instructor for the BKA youth and adult programs.
Sensei Scott has received certification as an instructor in the Bunkai principles of Sensei Iain Abernethy. He has also received a Salute to Sports Excellence award from the City of Edmonton, and the 2021 SWKKF Leadership Award.
Sensei Scott is active on the tournament circuit, achieving success in both kata and kumite decisions at events across the country. He attended the Shintani National Team Tryouts in 2008, 2010, and 2012, and held a middleweight position on the Shintani Canadian National Team.
Sensei Scott studied Computing Science (with specialization in Business) at the University of Alberta, and has gone on to form his own development company. He is currently working as the Director of eCommerce and Marketing for Nordic Holdings in Edmonton.
In his spare time, Sensei Scott enjoys photography, digital art, video games, and skiing.
Instructors
Our instructors are a phenomenal team of people who are excited to share their knowledge with our youth and adult members. These instructors have a passion for karate and are always ready to get to work with our students.
Sensei Elliott Knowles
4th Dan, Instructor
Adult Program
Sensei Elliott Knowles has been studying karate since the spring of 2002. He has been active in teaching various programs in southwest Edmonton since 2004. Originally training with the University of Alberta club, he moved to and joined the SWKKF and the Bushido Karate Association in October 2006. He received his Shodan ranking in May of 2008.
Sensei Elliott has been an active athlete most of his adult life and has focused on karate, triathlons, skiing, scuba diving, and weightlifting as his primary areas of interest. He has competed in and won within his division at multiple karate tournaments within the province. He has travelled the country and North America to compete in triathlons, and was highly ranked within his age group nationally and provincially. His personal best in an Olympic distance event was 2:18 in Calgary.
Sensei Elliott is married with two children, both of whom also train under Sensei Freeman at the Bushido Karate Association, he is extremely proud of both of them.
Since graduating from Business he has worked in the advertising and marketing community in Edmonton. He has been self employed as a Marketing / Advertising and Design consultant for the past 8 years. E Graphics and Design representing several retailers in the Edmonton area.
Sensei Bernadine Jugdutt
3rd Dan, Instructor
Adult Program, Youth Program Lead
Former National Team Member
2020 SWKKF Leadership Award
Sensei Bernadine Jugdutt, 3rd Dan, has been training in Wado-Kai karate since 1994. She started training with the Bushido Karate Association in 2004, and since then earned her Shodan rank in 2010, her Nidan in 2016, and her Sandan in May 2019. She is currently an active instructor with the BKA Grandview program as well as one of the head coaches of the BKA Team.
Bernadine received her B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Alberta in 2012. In the summer of 2012, she relocated to Montreal to pursue an M.Sc. in Physics. During this time she was fortunate to secure the lightweight women’s position on the 2012-2014 Shintani Canadian National Team, and had the opportunity to train and compete in dojos across Canada.
After completing her M.Sc. in 2015, Bernadine returned to Edmonton and resumed a teaching role with the BKA. She received her MD in 2021 and is currently doing her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Alberta.
Sensei Adam Knowles
3rd Dan, Instructor
Adult Program, Youth Program
Sensei Adam Knowles, 3rd Dan, began training in the year 2000 in the Riverbend area, transferred to the University area in 2002, and began training in the Grandview area since 2006. He received his Shodan in May of 2012, his Nidan in May of 2016, and his Sandan in May of 2021. He has competed in several tournaments across the province.
Sensei Mike Reynolds
3rd Dan, Instructor
Youth Program
Sensei Michael Reynolds, 3rd Dan, began training in Wado Kai Karate in 2008 with the Bushido Karate Association. He earned his Shodan ranking in May of 2013, his Nidan in May 2016, and his Sandan in May of 2021. Michael began teaching youth at Grandview in 2012, and is currently an active youth instructor with the BKA.
Over the years Sensei Michael has enjoyed attending many clinics to hone his karate, and has trained with Sensei Iain Abernethy exploring bunkai jutsu. He has also competed in numerous tournaments, consistently winning or placing in both kata and kumite.
Outside of karate, Sensei Michael received a B.Sc. in Physics and Mathematics in 2008, and a Ph.D. in Medical Physics in 2015, being awarded many scholastic prizes and scholarships over his post-secondary tenure. Currently he is part of the (ART)2 team investigating a novel hybrid Linear accelerator – MRI device for the treatment of various cancers, carrying out extensive research into radiation detector design.
Sensei Michael is an avid recreational athlete and fitness buff, and has completed the AFLCA exercise theory course. While karate and weightlifting form the cornerstones of his training, he also enjoys soccer, biking, running, hiking, and swimming in his free time.
Sensei Michael Chmay
3rd Dan, Instructor
Youth Program
Bio Coming Soon.
Sensei Sidney Taylor
2nd Dan, Assistant Instructor
Youth Program
Sensei Sidney Taylor, 2nd Dan, began training in 2003 at eight years old in Spruce Grove. In 2013 she earned her 1st Dan and soon after became one of the head instructors of her club. She taught for a year before taking a short break and moving to Edmonton where she began training with Bushido Karate Association in 2016. Sensei Sidney began assisting in teaching and has helped organize the Bushido Karate Camp with Sensei Bernadine in 2018/2019. She earned her 2nd Dan May 2018.
Sensei Sidney is finishing her decree in Ecology with a minor in French. She has a passion for animals and biology and loves to figure out how things work. In her spare time she enjoys writing, drawing, bouldering, and gardening.
Sensei Stefan Iordache
1st Dan, Assistant Instructor
Youth Program
Sensei Stefan Iordache, 1st Dan, started karate at the age of six with the Bushido youth program. After progressing to the adult class, he attained his Shodan rank in May 2021 and in turn became an assistant instructor.
In addition to his regular training, Sensei Stefan is an original and current member of the BKA Tournament Team. With many accomplishments in tournaments over the years, Sensei Stefan believes the Team to be a large part of his karate journey, and has helped him build the skills to be accepted as a member of the Shintani Canadian National Team. Sensei Stefan is grateful to be recognized as the 2023 Male Athlete of the Year through the SWKKF REACH awards.
Outside of karate, Stefan is a Neuroscience student at the University of Alberta, and is eager to pursue a career in medicine. He is active in many U of A clubs, and is currently Vice President for Youreka Edmonton, an organization that conducts research in collaboration with high school and university students. Stefan’s enjoyment of science extends to health-related studies, and has led to his publishing multiple research papers, with a recent focus on analyzing pulmonary hypertension.
Alongside karate, Sensei Stefan enjoys a diverse range of sports. He represented his high school as captain of the swim team, leading the team to their 34th consecutive city championship. He has continued swimming with the U of A club, and is now additionally playing rugby, recreationally climbing, and has completed a sprint triathlon.
Sensei Cristina Iordache
1st Dan, Assistant Instructor
Youth Program
Sensei Cristina Iordache, 1st Dan, began practicing karate at the age of four with the Bushido Karate Association. She earned her Shodan rank in May of 2021, and began assisting with the instruction of the youth class soon after.
Sensei Cristina is active on the tournament circuit, frequently placing and winning in her divisions in local and provincial tournaments. She accredits her successes to the BKA Tournament Team, which she has been a part of for six years. Sensei Cristina also holds a developmental position on the Shintani Canadian National Team, and feels fortunate to experience karate as a sport on a national level.
Outside of karate, Cristina is an involved high school student who enjoys her courses of biology and chemistry; she aspires to continue studying these subjects in university. She has a passion for scientific research and has been successful in publishing a systematic review.
In her spare time, Cristina enjoys alpine skiing, playing rugby with her older brother, and hiking with her family and dog.
Sensei Natalie Wong
1st Dan, Assistant Instructor
Youth Program
Sensei Natalie Wong, 1st Dan, began training karate at the age of 4 with the Bushido Karate Association. She earned her Shodan rank in May of 2021, and has since also become an assistant instructor for youth classes.
Sensei Natalie is proud to have been a part of the BKA tournament team since 2018. Over the years, she has enjoyed competing in numerous tournaments and attending clinics to hone her skills. Additionally, she is extremely grateful to have received the Female Athlete of the year REACH award from the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation in 2022.
Natalie graduated from high school in 2023 and is currently studying at the University of Ottawa completing a BMus degree in cello performance. She will miss her karate family dearly.
Outside of karate, Natalie enjoys a wide range of sports, and has received many athletic awards over the years. She is an avid advocate of long distance running and was the captain of her high school cross country team. She also enjoys playing volleyball, and spending time outdoors mountain biking, backpacking, and skiing. Aside from sports she is extremely passionate about music, which she began formally in cello at the age 3. Natalie has been principal of her youth orchestra and been a part of the University of Alberta orchestra in 2022. She has also won many awards and scholarships during this time.
Last, Natalie is also very active in leadership activities in her school and community. She has been highly involved in her school’s leadership program as well as participating in the youth volunteer group WILD Outside.