Teaching Staff

The Dojo Cho (Head Instructor) of Suigetsu Dojo is Dara Masi. She began her study of the martial arts in 1986 and is a direct student of Dennis Palumbo, Menkyo Kaiden Shihan San Dai Kichu in Hakkoryu Jujutsu. She is currently ranked at Menkyo Kaiden Shihan in Hakkoryu Jujutsu (equivalent to 7th degree black belt). Both Shihan Masi and Suigetsu Dojo are members of the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation. Shihan Masi is proud to be an instructor of Hakkoryu Jujutsu, learning and passing on the true techniques of this art.

Shihan Masi is also a student and instructor of Iaido. She is ranked at Nidan in Soshoryu Heihodo Iaido, founded by Masakazu Tazaki, Sensei and Shodan in Aiki Toho Iaido founded by Shoji Nishio, Shihan. She is currently a student of Joji Yoshida, Shihan and Michele Benzamin-Miki, Sensei in Aiki Toho Iaido. Shihan Masi teaches classes in Iaido for adults and children at Suigetsu Dojo and is one of very few martial arts instructors training and ranking children in the martial art of Iaido.

Shihan Masi is a life member of and instructor in Jujitsu America. She along with the members of Suigetsu Dojo hosted the Jujitsu America 2002 Convention.

Shihan Masi has taught Jujutsu seminars throughout the United States for schools and large organizations. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Women's Martial Arts Federation for four years as its Treasurer and served a six year term as President of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors, which she co-founded in 1998.

Melanie Fine joined Suigetsu Dojo as co-owner and instructor in December of 1995. She began her study of the martial arts as a graduate student in 1976. She studied Tae Kwon Do for 2 years, then began an 18 year study of Tang Soo Do under Master Maynard Stanley in Cincinnati, Ohio. She received her Shodan in 1982, Nidan in 1985, and Sandan in 1991. She was Head Instructor of Karate Temple in Columbus, Ohio, for 7 years.

In 1994, she met Shihan Dara Masi, became her student in Hakkoryu Jujutsu. She received the rank and title of Shihan (5th degree black belt) in 2007.

In addition to Jujutsu, she studies T'ai Chi Ch'uan with Master Wasentha Young. She is certified in Koho Igaku Shiatsu and has completed the Non-acupuncturist Certification Program in Zheng Gu Tui Na Chinese Medical Massage.

Shihan Fine is a member of the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation and a lifetime member of the National Women's Martial Arts Federation, the Assoication of Women Martial Arts Instructors, and JuJitsu America. She has actively supported the women's martial arts community for more than 25 years, serving on the Board of the NWMAF for 7 years - 5 years as Treasurer, and 2 years as Chair from 1990 through 1997 and serving as its Archivist for many years as well. Shihan Fine was a Board member of the AWMAI during 2004 and has actively assisted that organization since its inception.