American Martial Arts Institute

Our School

American Martial Arts Institute Staff

The following is a list of the Active Black Belt Instructors and Staff of the American Martial Arts Institute. Instructors must be recertified every year by Grandmaster Crandall by demonstrating the standards of training, teaching skills, and fundamental knowledge for the American Eagle Style. These individuals must also teach classes regularly. An Active instructor in the school must meet at least one of the following requirements: they must teach classes at least once per week regularly, or they must be in direct contact with Grandmaster Crandall at least once per month to remain informed and further their training. Active instructors receive monthly updates regarding the school's continued growth from the main office and Grandmaster Crandall. Learn more about Instructor Status here.

Grandmaster of the American Martial Arts Institute

Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr.

Grandmaster Crandall is certified as a 10th Degree Black Belt and is the Head of the American Martial Arts Institute.

Titled Instructors

There are two administrative titles within our organization: Senior Instructor and Chief Instructor.

These two titles are not earned but rather appointments by the Grandmaster of the school to people who are taking on administrative responsibilities. These appointments are not permanent and may be removed and shifted to others based on school needs.

There is a Master Instructor status which is added to an individual's name if they pass the 7th Degree exam. This person is referred to as a Master in the style. Similar to earning their black belt this title is theirs forever. At this time two individual have earned this distinction, Master Cheryl Freleigh; she is the first person in the history of American Eagle Style to earn this title and the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt under Grandmaster Crandall. AND, Master Nicholas Chuff.

There is no limit to the number of people who may hold the title Master Instructor, and a 7th degree black belt may one day test for the rank of 8th degree black belt, the last level of black belt for which there is a testing in American Eagle Style. The rank of 9th degree may be held by only one individual, appointed by the Grandmaster. There may be only one 10th degre black belt, the highest rank in American Eagle Style; this person is the Grandmaster, a title which passes to the current Grandmaster's designated successor. The title of Grandmaster and 10th degree are passed together. At this time, Grandmaster Crandall has not pubicly identified a sucessor.

The title of Master may exist in one other context in American Eagle Style. The title of Master OF the Style. This title may only be held by one individual, and they are the designated sucessor to the Grandmaster. This individual's belt no longer possess red tips to indicate rank, rather their belt is embroidered with the name and the title Master. At this time, no one holds the title Master OF the Style; however, as indicated above, Master Cheryl Freleigh has earned the rank Master IN the Style, and therefore is a Master Instructor.

Speak with your instructor if you have any questions regarding these titles, ranks, and positions. The head of the American Martial Arts Institute and American Eagle Style is Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr., who is the founder of the school and style. This title and rank was bestowed to him by a council of Grandmaster's. For more information speak with your instructor and read the section of this website about Grandmaster Crandall.

Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr.

Grandmaster Crandall is certified as a 10th Degree Black Belt and is the Head of the American Martial Arts Institute. Click on Grandmaster Crandall's name to learn more about his numerous contributions to the history of the martial arts and his credentials. Secure Living Online board member.

Master Cheryl Freleigh
Master Instructor, 7th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica. Master Freleigh is the co-author of the Superkick Workbook. The title of Master Instructor in American Eagle Style is earned and added to the instructor's name at the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt. This is not an appointed title and is permanent. Certified Director of the Superkick program. Secure Living Online board member.

Dr. Nick Chuff
Master Instructor, 7th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica. Co-producer of the instructional DVD: American Eagle Style Self-Defense, Volume 1. The title of Master Instructor in American Eagle Style is earned and added to the instructor's name at the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt. This is not an appointed title and is permanent.

Miss Linda Möller
Chief Instructor, 6th Degree. Instructs classes at Albany.

Mr. Eric Stalloch
Chief Instructor, 6th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica. Proprietor of the Utica location. Certified Cane Master, American Cane System. Certified Superkick program instructor. Co-author of the book Be Safe Physically and Mentally with the Crandall System, co-producer of the instructional DVDs Practical Cane Self-Defense, Volume 1 and Cane-Fu: Moving Beyond Disabilities. CEO of Secure Living Online.

Mr. Steve Riley
Senior Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Albany. Proprietor of Albany satelitte location. Certified Superkick program instructor.

Instructors

Mr. Nathan Morris
Instructor, 6th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica. Co-author of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Iaido Workbook Text and Renshi in Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall school of Iaido.

Mr. David Phillips
Instructor, 6th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica. Tashi in Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall.

Mr. Don Brown
Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Albany.

Mr. Tim Cumings
Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mrs. Daryl Eastwood
Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mrs. Lynn Jessee
Instructor, 5th Degree. Mrs. Lynn Jessee is also a certified Cane Master in the American Cane System. Co-producer ofthe instructional DVD Cane-Fu: Moving Beyond Disabilities. Secure Living Online board member.

Mr. Dean Johnson
Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Albany.

Mr. Mark Sanson
Instructor. 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mr. Arturo Santiago
Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Albany.

Mrs. Marilyn Stalloch
Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mr. Tim Stalloch
Instructor, 5th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Ms. Linda Austin
Instructor, 4th Degree. Instructs classes at Albany.

Mrs. Christie Catera
Instructor, 4th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mr. Travis Donley
Instructor, 4th Degree.

Mr. Paul Lilley
Instructor, 4th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mr. Robert Pagano
Instructor, 4th Degree. Instructs classes at Albany.

Mrs. Gisella Stalloch
Instructor, 4th Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Miss Mary-Margaret Krukonis
Instructor, 3rd Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mr. Al Sacco
Instructor, 2nd Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Miss Amanda Peterson
Instructor, 2nd Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mr. Mark Spiridigloizzi
Instructor, 2nd Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Mr. John Freleigh
Instructor, 2nd Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Miss Sabrina Kowalski
Instructor, 2nd Degree. Instructs classes at Utica.

Staff

Dr. Bret Jessee
Staff, 5th Degree.

Mr. Joe Wereszynski
Staff, 5th Degree.

Mr. William Walker
Staff, 1st Degree.

Special Note

Instructors that are listed on our website are actively teaching in our school. We would like those that check our website to know that there have been many great people who have shared their lives with us as black belt instructors and because of family demands, job changes, or health can no longer help. There are many and we wish them continued success and thank them for all they have done. Some have made a true difference in our school, such as Jill Crandall who has passed on. Others include Wayne Handy, Nicole Crandall, Jeff Machold and many others who stay in regular contact with our school although life's demands do not allow them to be active instructors.

Thank You
Chief Instructor Eric Stalloch