Meet the Team

Master Austin Curtis

Head Instructor, Goleta

Husband and father of three. Head Instructor at the Goleta dojo and Hall of Fame Instructor of the Year (2022). California President of the Global Hapkido Association. 7th Dan in Hapkido, with additional rank in Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Master Garret Curtis

Head Instructor, Granada Hills

Husband and father of two. Head Instructor of the Granada Hills dojo. Has been teaching Hapkido since 1997. 7th Dan in Hapkido and 1st Dan in Taekwondo. Grew up in a family of martial artists and now calls Granada Hills home.

Sensei Litzy Diaz

Program Director

3rd Dan black belt. Started training at Santa Barbara Dojo at age eight and never left. Now serves as Program Director. Currently studying nursing.

Master Melodee Meyer

Founder

Founder of Santa Barbara Dojo. 7th Dan Grandmaster with the Global Hapkido Association. Author, speaker, and creator of the KUT Method.

Master Alex Rodriguez

Instructor

5th Dan black belt. Full Instructor in Jeet Kune Do. Leads the Black Belt Class. Over ten years on the mat. Lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and son.

Master Ray Janik

Head Instructor, Downtown

Head Instructor of the Downtown Santa Barbara dojo. 4th Dan black belt in Hapkido, certified through the Global Hapkido Association. Teaches youth and adult Hapkido as well as the Black Belt class. Fielding Graduate University alum. Enjoys scuba diving and travel, and brings a patient, detail-oriented teaching style to every class.

Sensei Isabel

Student Experience Lead

Black belt who started training on Zoom during the pandemic. Now leads student experience. Loves thrifting and dog adventures.

Amanda

Fitness Coach

Fitness coach at Santa Barbara Dojo Downtown.

Certified Kickboxing Instructor. Over ten years of yoga practice.

Started training in 2019 and is a KUT success story. Background in engineering.