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INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Darin Yee
In the year 1960 Darin Yee began his studies of the martial arts in Boston’s Chinatown. He studied under old school where Darin Yee shined shoes, washed dishes and windows.
After earning his right to learn, he must conquer obstacles such as standing in a horse stance for 20 minutes and achieving a complete split which the Chinese called a “letter one horse”. From warm ups, stretching, kicking and punching, it was determined White Crane would be where Darin Yee would begin. The next style was “Tiger”.
In 1964 Darin Yee joined the Bamboo Hut Club where he met Chin Pui and began Praying Mantis. In 1965 he began studying the Hung Gar System which is now his biggest influence. Darin Yee was introduced to Uechi-Ryu in 1969 by personal childhood friends. Most of these friends continued their relationship and still workout with Darin to this day.
While teaching the Martial Arts, Darin Yee will recommend his students first study Uechi-Ryu as this system is all anyone needs. Upon request, he will teach Chinese Kung-Fu but only after they have proven to be good Uechi-Ryu students.
As a student of the arts, Darin Yee has been declared a Kung-Fu Master by agencies appointed by the Chinese Government to recognize and certify such. Darin Yee has also achieved master rank through the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation which is one of the most recognized and respected Uechi-Ryu organization in the world.
As a competitor, Darin Yee has competed successfully throughout America, Asia and all over the world. For many years, Darin Yee trained personally and taught only his 2 sons Kevin and Eric Yee and a few personal friends.
After meeting and befriending many martial artists Darin Yee has decided to share his many years of studies, knowledge and understanding. Darin Yee’s expertise is teaching advance students but is having a blast teaching young and beginner students.
Title of Honor: Kyoshi
IUKF 7th degree Black Belt (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation)
Master of
• Hung-Gar
• Choy-Li Fut
• Tiger
• White Crane
3 time All Asian World Champion in Fighting & Form
Sensei Darin Yee has been certified and authenticated by the Chinese Martial Arts Research Society, the only official organization established and recognized by the Government of China.
Gary Wong
Gary Wong began his study of Uechi-Ryu at Mattson Academy on Hancock Street Boston in 1969. He quickly became a member of a special tournament team competing very successfully all over the United States representing Mattson Academy.
In conjunction with his study of Uechi, Gary began studying Chinese kung fu to further understand this science of combat. The kung fu Gary studied was praying mantis, white crane, tiger, choy-li fut, fut gar and hung gar.
Gary’s teaching experiences began in 1971 at Mattson Academy when he assisted in the children’s classes on Saturday mornings. He was later recognized for his insight and teaching abilities and signed to teaching private lessons.
In the mid and late “70s”, Gary began working out and teaching in Boston Chinatown. There, Gary had the opportunity to experiment and execute many of the techniques most people can only talk about. Gary Wong has influenced many of the student still training in Chinatown, Boston today.
Gary has brought his many years on experience to the Budokan Martial Arts Club to help his life long friend to expand their ability to teach. The Budokan Martial Arts is fortunate to have a teacher of Gary’s knowledge and abilities with us.
Title of Honor: Kyoshi
IUKF 7th degree Black Belt (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation)
Master of
• Fut-Gar
• Choy-Li Fut
• Tiger
• White Crane
Herman Yee
Herman is a life long friend to Darin Yee, Gary Wong and George Deraney. He began his training in Uechi-Ryu in 1969 at
While many only talk about their bravados and imaginary heroics through their silver tongue, Herman lived it growing up in the ghettos with his life long friends. They trained hard and grew up tough due to the necessity of the times but mostly because of their loyalty and respect for one another.
The ones who stayed strong and loyal have prevailed together. The weaker and less virtuous have dissipated.
Herman has spent many years along with his friends teaching Uechi-Ryu in
Title of Honor: Kyoshi
IUKF 7th degree Black Belt (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation)
Kevin Yee
Kevin began his study of the martial arts in 1978. He trained primarily with his father, Darin Yee. Kevin trained in White Crane until his father began traveling twice a year to
Kevin began his study in Uechi-Ryu in 1983 after his father decided Kevin should study Uechi-Ryu first as this system of training was all he needed for self defense. Everything else would be secondary.
Kevin began competing in 1995 while working out with the Karate Team at
Judo and Jujitsu was also a part of Kevin’s training because his father has always insisted ground skills are as important as stand-up. In 1998 Kevin and his brother Eric both began their training in MMA outside of their father’s dojo 2 to 3 times a week. Kevin fully respects, understand and train in all avenues of the martial arts.
IUKF 4th degree Black Belt (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation)
• Choy Li Fut
• White Crane
• Tiger
• MMA
Eric began studying Uechi-Ryu in 1983. He trained primarily with his father, Darin Yee who at this time decided to stop international competitions and can dedicate his time training his children.
Eric began competing in 1997 while working out with the Karate Team at
Although Judo and Jujitsu was always a part of Eric’s training, he place a lot more of his emphasis in that direction in 1998. Along with his brother Kevin, they both trained in MMA outside of their father’s dojo 2 to 3 times a week.
IUKF 4th degree Black Belt (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation)
• Choy Li Fut
• White Crane
• Tiger
• MMA
Tai Chi Master
Awards & Accomplishments:
• National Martial Arts Champion of he Rep. of China
• Member of the National Shao Lin Kung Fu Team
• Black Belt in Kendo
• Master of Science degree in Recreation Management
• Bachelor of Science degrees in Phys. Ed. and in Movement Studies
• Certified in Reflexology and Therapeutic Massage
• Certified Instructor in Chinese as a Second Language from the Taipei Language Institute
Melissa began her Uechi-Ryu training in 2007 at the Budokan Martial Arts Club. She studied diligently and attended every class that was allowed to her. Off days when she did not attend class, Melissa would take every opportunity to practice at home with her older sister Brianna. Together, they worked on perfecting their katas and sharpen their fighting skills.
After studying only two months, Melissa performed so well at her very first tournament that one of the instructors on a competing school accused Melissa of having the skills of someone studying for over 5 years. That would mean she started at the age of two.
In the tournament circuit, Melissa has won her share for both kata and kumite. Melissa has also won Grand Championships in multiple categories in the Uechi-Ryu Karate Championship Series.
1st degree Black Belt (shodan) International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation
Brianna began her martial arts training in 2007 under sensei Darin Yee at the Budokan Martial Arts club. Her passion was such that she made sure she took a little time out everyday with her sister Melissa to practice and improved what she had learned the previous classes.
After only 2 months into her new training, Brianna entered her very first tournament and placed high among 20 plus competitors surprising all expectations. From that experience, Brianna entered many more tournaments winning in many categories including weapons. Brianna was also a Series Grand Champion in Uechi Ryu.
1st degree black belt (Shodan) promoted by the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation.
Max Lalanne - Junior Black Belt, Instructor in Training
Max Lalanne became Uechi-Ryu Junior Black Belt in 2009 at age 12, after passing his shodan test in front of an illustrious panel of senior Uechi sensei, headed by its US Grandmaster, the 10th degree jyudan, sensei George E. Mattson. Max has been studying all aspects of Uechi-Ryu karate and tiger-crane kungfu with sensei/sifu Darin Yee since 2008 at the Budokan Martial Arts, and is in parallel studying from sensei
Mattson at the Mattson Academy virtual dojo.
Max is a proud member of IUKF (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation) since 2008. Some of his favorite Uechi moments include learning sparring techniques from sensei Gary (Wong), sensei Tom (Hallahan) and sensei Herman (Yee). One of Maxʼs many Uechi achievements include becoming the New England Kata and Weapons champion in the 2008 Junior Championships held in Brockton, MA.
A young polymath, Max follows a French/English bilingual curriculum and is equally passionate in various subjects such as Language Arts, Greek mythology, Astronomy, Filmmaking as in Martial Arts. Max not only designed the collectable “Uechi Rocks” tiedye Tʼs and sweatshirts for the 26th annual Uechi-Ryu Summerfest in 2009, he and his sister Mia were also the artists behind its official commemorative T-shirt. Furthermore, they are also credited for the cover dragon artwork of sensei Mattsonʼs long-awaited upcoming book: The Way of Uechi-Ryu Karate
Max and his family divide their time between New Hampshire and New York City, he can
be reached at HysteriaProd@gmail.com
Mia Lalanne - Junior Black Belt, Instructor in Training
Mia Lalanne received her Uechi-Ryu Junior Black Belt in 2009 at age 15, after passing her shodan test in front of an illustrious panel of senior Uechi sensei, headed by its US Grandmaster, the 10th degree jyudan, sensei George E. Mattson. Mia has been studying all aspects of Uechi-Ryu karate and tiger-crane kungfu with sensei/sifu Darin Yee since 2008 at the Budokan Martial Arts, and she is in parallel studying from sensei Mattson at the Mattson Academy virtual dojo.
Mia is a proud member of IUKF (International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation) since 2008. Some of her favorite Uechi moments include learning sparring drills from sensei Gary (Wong), sensei Tom (Hallahan) and sensei Herman (Yee) of Budokan Martial Arts. One of Miaʼs many Uechi achievements include becoming the New England Sparring, Kata and Weapon Champion in the 2008 Junior Championships held in Brockton, MA.
Mia follows a French/English bilingual curriculum and is equally passionate in various subjects such as Language Arts, Science, Math, Photography, Filmmaking as in Martial Arts. In addition to creating sensei Mattsonʼs WinterFest logo, Mia and her brother Max are also the proud artists behind the official commemorative T-shirt for sensei Mattsonʼs 26th annual Uechi-Ryu Summerfest in 2009. Furthermore, Mia and Max are also credited for the cover dragon artwork of sensei Mattsonʼs long-awaited upcoming book: The Way of Uechi-Ryu Karate.
Mia and her family divide their time between New Hampshire and New York City, she can be reached at HysteriaProd@gmail.com