Rifkin Professional Karate Center
7930 Alabama Ave. Canoga Park, CA (818)888-0743

Our Instructors & Staff Members

"I want to tell you how much we appreciate you and what you do for your school; for the excellence you demand and accomplish with all of us...even those of us us on the sidelines. Although the students on the mat do the hard work, there's a quality standard you have set us for us all--this may not be a "team sport" like soccer or basketball but "Team RPKC" takes all of us to a level of higher achievement. You make me a better mom because you make my kid a superb Martial Artist. This became quite clear to me at the tournament yesterday. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart..."

-SL

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the martial arts and have attained a level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

After extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff now enjoys sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

Master J.D. Rifkin  (Master Instructor)  Master Rifkin has been intensely involved with the Martial Arts for over 24 years, having competed at the regional, state and national levels. He has created a school unique in its endeavor to educate and train its students to the highest levels. His dedication to the students of RPKC is proven daily, as he teaches his own classes regularly. For more information click on Master Rifkin

Mr. Thomas Dang  (Head Instructor) Mr. Dang started his journey in the world of martial arts at the age of 5. Training for the past 14 years, he has competed in national and state competitions. Also, having military background in the U.S. Marine Corps, he has been able to travel throughout the world and take part in current events. His passion for martial arts grows from training students and having an impact on their lives. Martial arts is not only a place for self defense, but for children to enhance discipline and self confidence. Besides martial arts and the Marine Corps, Mr. Dang is also working on his Bachelor's degree in Biology and Bio Medical Physics and plans on attending medical school.

Mr. Peter Layton  (Instructor)  "I have come full circle, for now I see my martial arts training as a spiritually uplifting experience. Many times during my workouts in this school, I have been pushed and I have pushed myself, past the point of exhaustion. In those moments, my body says “stop”, my mind says “I can’t” and another part of me says “you can, keep going”. What is that other part? I believe that inner voice is the voice of my soul—my Higher Self. Anything the helps me hear the voice of my soul is worthwhile, and important to me."

Ms. Brittany Thacker  (Instructor) When I step on the mat, everything else fades away and has no effect on me. Martial Arts has helped me to deal with any problems I had, and through that, helped me to accept things I cannot change, Because of Martial Arts, I know what it is to put your heart into something and how amazing it feels when it pays off....I think the most important lesson I have learned from Martial Arts is how to draw confidence from yourself and use that every day.

Ms. Leilani Smith  (Instructor) Born in Osan City, Korea, Leilani has been training at Rifkin Professional Karate for 7 years and currently holds the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt. "I originally took martial arts to enhance my resume and now this journey with Master Rifkin has changed my life....it has lead me to realign my physical, renew my focus and has developed a passion to persevere on this road to self-empowerment with humility, self-improvement, with courage and self-discovery. I am thankful in finding this school and being instructed by their staff".

Mr. Chris Bosque  (Instructor) Chris Bosque is a certified 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Having trained since the age of 11, he has an extensive background in Aikido and Karate, Mr. Bosque has competed in countless tournaments in and around California. With a passion for teaching children and adults, Mr. Bosque always likes to leave the students smiling, sweating and learning. His goal is to have each and every student leave the mat with something more than when they first stepped on, whether it’s martial arts or just a better sense of themselves. Focusing his energy on teaching and his own education, Mr. Bosque is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Law.

Mr. Jim Tatone  (Instructor) A lifelong fitness and training practitioner, Mr. Tatone also holds the distinction of being both a Black belt and the parent of a Black belt. This gives him a unique perspective of the benefits of martial arts training for students of all ages. He also holds a certification as a fitness trainer. “Unlike sports where you train to peak for the season, martial arts pushes you to always be at your best, and to continue to push that peak higher and higher. Being a martial artist is a lifestyle. As a student I will continue to train hard and maintain my highest level at all times. As an instructor it is my goal to help students achieve their highest level.”

Ms. Christina Walsh  (Instructor) Now, instead of telling myself, "good enough", and accepting the flawed technique, flawed from injury, flawed from complacency and fear... Now I tell myself that I CAN do it better, and I can get that 360...perhaps not today, but I will, and every day I will try harder to get there, and to address the other obstacles before me me with confidence and diligence...an all parts of my life.

Ms. Mahsa Ostowari  (Apprentice Instructor) Ms. Mahsa Ostowari has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Mr. Mishan Rambukwella  (Apprentice Instructor) Mr. Mishan Rambukwella has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Mr. Antonio Anderson Mr. Antonio Anderson has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Mr. Christopher De Palma  (Instructor (Jiu-Jitsu)) Christopher S. DePalma began his martial arts training at the age of four. Christopher was born into a family that took combat and self defense very seriously. When Chris was born, his father was already a legend on the mat, both as a combat fighter, and as a CIF state champion in wrestling. Chris’s grandfather was also a champion boxer in the military. With lots of pride, tradition, and focus, the name “DePalma JuJitsu” was birthed after combining traditional Japanese JuJitsu, with extreme self defense methods and the addition of Brazillian JiuJitsu. Christopher has trained with many of today’s top Sensei’s and fighters including, Harold Brosious( Father of American Ketsugo JuJitsu), Ed Keller, and MMA legend Royce Gracie! With the irreplaceable years of “ father to son” training, the application of many systems and teachers, Chris merged his knowledge into a no nonsense, without bounds system, known as “ DePalma JuJitsu”. This discipline focus’s on accelerated learning methods, combat conditioning, and extreme JuJitsu( both stand and ground). Thus the nickname “American combat JuJitsu”. With the goal of eliminating the fear most face with confrontation, and the desire to teach others to react with deliberateness and efficiency, Chris remains dedicated to teaching practical applications to all levels of interest. Mr. De Palma is also available for Private lessons throughout the week.

For more information about the Rifkin Professional Karate Center staff or training programs, please contact us at (818)888-0743 or by clicking here.