Sensei Stanley Crump
Sensei/ Owner
Stanley Crump began studying Uechi-ryu (a style of Okinawan Karate) in 1994. In 2017, he earned his Rokudan (6th degree black belt), and in 2011 – a Shihan certification (Master Level Instructor) under his teacher, Grand Master Kiyohide Shinjo. Stanley has traveled extensively to enjoy personal, advanced training from some of the world’s foremost masters of karate, including Grand Master Kiyohide Shinjo (Sensei Stanley’s direct teacher), Narahiro Shinjo, James Thompson, Seiko Toyama, Kanmei Uechi, Shinyu Gushi, and Bill Hayes. In 1996, he began teaching karate throughout Howard and Montgomery Counties. In 2006, he opened the Okinawan Karate Dojo (formerly known as Ellicott City Fitness and Karate). Sensei Stanley has competed in international tournaments all over the world (Japan, Canada, United States, Argentina, and more) and has won 1st place in the Heavy Weight division of kumite (sparring) multiple times. His attention to detail and application can also be found in his study of kata, as he has been a top-finisher in this event in several all-style, international/invitational tournaments.
Having completed certified courses in Reiki (the ancient art of healing and therapeutic touch) under Dr. Rik Lostritto, Ph.D, Sensei Stanley works to strike a balance in his understanding, training, and instruction of the hard and soft aspects of karate. On a personal note, Stanley has certifications in CPR and First Aid, worked for 22 years in the healthcare industry, is a fitness/bootcamp instructor, and a Spartan Racer! Since 1996, he has facilitated Bridges and Helping Hands mentorship programs, in-school karate/leadership training, and has been an active/involved HCPSS business partner and PTA member with more than 10 schools in Howard County and 2 schools in Baltimore City. Stanley is married with three kids.
Robert Wilkie
Head Instructor / Kobudo and Sparring Instructor
Robert Wilkie graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2014 with a Bachelors of Science studying Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. He began training in martial arts his senior year (Fall 2013) and started studying Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He has trained in a mix of other styles including Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Boxing, and Judo/Jujutsu at the UMD Black Belt Club before joining the Okinawan Karate Club where he was first introduced to Uechi-Ryu. Both clubs helped Robert discover his passion for the martial arts. After graduating, he joined the Okinawan Karate Dojo in August 2014 under Sensei Stanley Crump.
He left the scientific industry to become the full-time head instructor in September 2016. He earned his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in July 2017, competed in the 1st International Karate Tournament in Okinawa, Japan in August 2018, earned his Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in July 2019, and earned his Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in January 2022. He also trains other styles of martial arts, such as Ryukyu Kobudo Hozonkai (traditional Okinawan weapons) under Sensei Masakazu Kinjo, AUSKF Kendo (way of the sword) under Sensei Sean Kim.
Sarah Litman
Office Administrator/ Assistant Instructor
Sarah Litman is a Registered Nurse, Certified Health Coach, Certified Child Care Director and Child Care Teacher. She worked at the University of Maryland Medical Center as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse for over 8 years, prior to taking time off from (paid) work to raise her two children. She has been studying Uechi-Ryu karate since 2018 and holds the rank of Nikyu (brown belt with a stripe). She is often in karate class with her husband, son, and daughter – who are also students of the dojo. Sarah has been office administrator and assistant instructor at The Okinawan Karate Dojo since June of 2018. She has a passion for connecting with and supporting the female students at The Okinawan Karate Dojo, and providing training and social opportunities just for them. Outside of the dojo, Sarah enjoys reading, hiking, horseback riding, and spending time with her adorable mini-Bernedoodle pup.
Kobi Crump
Senior Instructor
Kobi Crump has been a member of the Okinawan Karate Dojo since he was three years old. He received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2017 at the Florida Koshukai, his Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in November 2019, and Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in January 2022. He became a member of the OKD teaching staff in 2016. He currently attends Howard Community College. Outside of the dojo, he is a referee for all ages of basketball and he loves to play as well! Two of his favorite pastimes are spending time with his friends and brother, Avery, and playing video games.
Brianna Avery
Senior Instructor
Brianna Avery is a Shodan (1st degree black belt) and has been practicing karate at OKD for seven years. She is a certified childcare teacher and is attending Towson University working towards her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. In addition to working at the dojo, Brianna works at the childcare center on Towson University’s campus. In her freetime, Brianna enjoys hiking with her dog, painting, and cooking.
Liza Roseman
Senior Instructor
After earning her Shodan in 2019 (1st degree black belt) and Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in 2022, Liza Roseman is currently the dojo’s youngest Nidan and assistant instructor. She’s been practicing karate for almost nine years. She’s a freshman at McDonogh School, and her favorite subject is fine art. Outside of school and the dojo, Liza enjoys playing club lacrosse and drawing. She’s found that her study of karate has helped greatly in supplying the self discipline needed to excel at those hobbies, and she’s excited to dive deeper into everything karate can bring.
Jorden
Senior Instructor
Nikkyu (Brown Belt w/ 1 Stripe)
Tre Romard
Senior Instructor
Nikkyu (Brown Belt w/ 1 Stripe)
Tre started his martial arts journey in 1990 with judo and folkstyle wrestling. Starting in 1996 he was focused on boxing, kickboxing, and kung fu (Hung Gar/Choy Lee Fut). In the mid 2000’s Tre spent the majority of his training in kickboxing/Dutch kickboxing and Muay Thai. At this time, he also branched out into BJJ for additional ground defense knowledge. Tre joined Okinawa Karate Dojo in Feb 2018 to study Uechi Ryu.
Gabi Peters
Senior Instructor
Gabi is a Shodan (first-degree black belt) and is a graduate of our STORM program. She has been practicing karate since 2013. She decided to quit circus school so she could learn karate, because she learned how she could apply karate to her every day life.
Karate is one of her many extracurricular activities besides trumpet, jazz, and piano.
Since graduating from the STORM program, She has learned about different things, such as being a role model, a teacher, and a fellow student. Her favorite thing about being on the STORM team was seeing karate from the eyes of a teacher, as well as a student.
Seth Ragin
Senior Instructor
Nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Krish Bakshi
Assistant Instructor
Tristan Tran
Assistant Instructor
Tristan Tran is currently a sophomore at Mt. Hebron High School. He has been practicing karate since 2013 and earned the rank of Shodan (first-degree black belt). Studying karate has helped him with his daily life such as teaching him humility, respect, and discipline. Outside of martial arts, he enjoys playing soccer and chess.
Guadalupe Vasquez
Assistant Instructor
Guadalupe is 15 and currently in the 9th grade at Marriott’s Ridge High School. Her favorite school subjects are math and english. She has been practicing karate for almost 7 years, and she first started to study martial arts so she could learn how to defend herself, have respect for those around me and so she could build up her confidence. Outside of school and the dojo, she enjoys reading and drawing. She also enjoys talking to her friends and getting to know new people. Karate has helped her focus for a longer period, she learned self-defense and self-respect during her time at the dojo.