Both women have taught regularly at the international, multi-art training camps sponsored by the National Women's Martial Arts Federation, the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists, and the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors.

Since 1985 more than 100 students have completed the years of dedicated training required to earn a black belt. Currently, 21 professional instructors teach in Thousand Waves' martial arts and self-defense classes and outreach programs.

Jun Shihan Nancy Lanoue

Nancy Lanoue has been practicing martial arts since 1977. For two years, she studied Goju Karate and women's self defense under Sensei Susan Murdock at the Women's Martial Arts Center in New York. During this time, she began to develop a political analysis of violence, and to understand how martial arts could be a non-violence practice. From 1979 to 1982, with two other women, she started and co-directed an organization called SAFE, which created empowering seminars on self-defense and brought them to schools, community groups, and corporations.

In 1991, Sarah moved to Chicago to live and work with her partner, Nancy Lanoue. Together they serve as Co-Executive Directors and Head Instructors of Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center. When Sarah first came to Chicago, the dojo was small and offered classes in Seido Karate only. She began training in Seido at that time, while continuing to practice Kajukenbo. During the first decade of their collaboration, Nancy taught Sarah Seido Karate while Sarah taught Nancy Kajukenbo, all while both were teaching most of the classes, plus running the dojo.

Since that time, the dojo has grown tremendously, enabling Sarah and Nancy to focus on areas of special interest. Sarah received her 5th degree black belt in Seido in 2005 and her 5th degree black belt in Kajukenbo in 2002. Sarah loves children and very much enjoys her position as director of Thousand Waves' acclaimed summer camp for children, Camp Kokoro. She continues to teach and perform at national training camps, produced by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists and the National Women's Martial Arts Federation.

Kyoshi Martha Fourt

Kyoshi Martha holds a 5th degree black belt in Seido Karate. She has taught in the adult Seido Karate program since 1988. A software engineer at Chicago Board Options Exchange, she holds a BA from the University of Chicago.

"I was one of the very first students in 1985 in the karate program that became Thousand Waves. I fell in love with it and never stopped. At various times in my life I have also studied other arts including aikido, kyudo, and tai chi; but Thousand Waves is my martial arts home and family. When I teach, my most important goals are always to communicate to my students my own love of karate, and to try to help each one, regardless of athletic ability, feel that he or she can learn this art and find it rewarding. Teaching brings me out of myself, lets me enjoy my students' progress, and compels me to deepen and articulate my understanding of my art."

Sensei Sarah Seidler

Sensei Sarah is a 4th degree black belt. She has been training for over 20 years, having begun with Jun Shihan Nancy at the Women's Gym in Chicago. Sarah is a social worker and has her own psychoanalytic psychotherapy practice.

Sensei Jonathan Hannah

Sensei Jonathan holds a 4th degree black belt in Seido Karate and teaches in the Adult Program. He is a graphic artist and composer as well as a martial artist.

"Each student comes to study Seido Karate for different reasons. It is very satisfying when I can help students achieve their goals, and even more so when I can deepen their understanding of martial arts."

Sensei Peggy Shinner

Sensei Peggy holds a 4th degree black belt in Seido Karate and a 1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo. She teaches in the Junior, Youth, Teen and Adult Programs. A writer whose work has been published in literary magazines and anthologies, she teaches at Roosevelt University.

"Teaching is like a two-way mirror in which you experience the creative interplay of giving and learning. A writing mentor once assured me that soon I would figure out the hard thing I was working on, and then I would move to the next hard thing. Teaching is empowering someone to move on."

Sensei Triston Alvarez

Senpai Triston holds a 4th degree black belt in Seido Karate and a 1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo. He teaches in the Junior, Youth, Teen and Adult Programs

"When I began my training here at Thousand Waves at the age of 10, Jun Shihan Nancy and Kyoshi Sarah began teaching me karate with the guiding principles of love, respect, and obedience. Training here has taught me as much about life as it has about martial arts and 11 years later it is my great pleasure to pass on those teachings to both kids and adults. Osu!"

Senpai Sally Wigginton

Senpai Sally holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate. She teaches in the adult prgram. She works as a teacher, teaching reading to English language learners.

"I am happy to be back teaching at Thousand Waves after an almost ten year absence. Remembering the movements I once knew so well and striving to learn new material provides me with a mental and physical challenge. It reminds me of what it is like to be a beginner marial artist. My hope is to share my enthusiasm for my training through my teaching."

Senpai Marie O'Brien

Senpai Marie holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate and 1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo. She is Thousand Waves' Director of Violence Prevention Programs and teaches in the Adult and Self-Defense and Empowerment Programs.

"I've been an educator in several fields: cultural studies, science, ESL, and teacher training. Teaching karate and violence prevention has allowed me to use my teaching skills in a new arena, pushing and broadening me as a teacher and as a student of the martial arts. I believe that implicit in being a good teacher is being an eternal student - open to learning new skills and recognizing that we all have things to learn from each other."

Senpai Katherine Nichols

Senpai Katherine holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate and a 1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo. She teaches in the youth program. Her professional training is in the visual arts.

"I love karate, and I enjoy passing on my love of the art to others."

Senpai Alan Miller

Senpai Alan holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate and teaches in all of the Martial Arts programs at Thousand Waves. He has trained in Seido for 15 years and volunteers at Chicago high schools coaching crew teams for boys and girls.

"The part of teaching that keeps me coming back for more is being able to watch the students that have difficulties with training overcome them, and getting to be part of the experience that shows them how strong and focused they can be."

Senpai Rebecca Angevine

Senpai Rebecca holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate. She Co-leads the Adaptive Seido Karate Program and teaches in the adult program.

"Studying Seido Karate gives me a way to face the challenges that life throws at me. It gives me a way of looking at my mind and my fears; a way of relaxing and focusing; a way of not giving up. Teaching gives me the opportunity to pass along the joy of the movement of the art and maybe some of the tools I have learned."

Senpai Thomas West

Senpai Tom holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate and a 1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo. He teaches in the Adult, Junior and Youth programs and previously was a Thousand Waves Violence Prevention/Self-Defense Instructor. He is president of Cardinal Point Learning Systems, Inc., assisting organizations to turn their organizational values and competitive advantages into sustainable change. He has been awarded the CPLPT, Certified Professional in Learning and Performance, by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) and holds a Masters of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Senpai Akinwande Oyebanjo

Senpai Akinwande holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seido Karate and teaches in the Youth and Teen Karate Programs. He is a college student.

Senpai Kate Webster

Kate Webster holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seido Karate. She teaches in the junior, youth, teen, adult, and Self-Defense and Empowerment programs and was a prior instructor in Chimera's Self-Defense for Women program and student of Shotokan Karate. She holds a PhD in Comparative Education from the University of Chicago and is an adjunct professor at Roosevelt University in Sociology and Women's Studies.

"My life is all about teaching, mentoring, and guiding people to break out of their internal boxes and be more of who they can, want, and love to be. Training and teaching at Thousand Waves continually challenges me to break out of my own boxes and stay in the present, and connect my mind, body, and spirit to give back to this amazingly enriching and spiritful community."

Senpai Max Kuroda

Senpai Max holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seido karate. She and Senpai Rebecca co-direct the Adapted Seido Karate (ASK) program, in which they and many volunteers teach a curriculum adapted for children with physical disabilities. She is an epidemiologist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago where her research focuses on cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and epilepsy.

"Kaicho once told me "everyone is your senpai (senior) because you learn something from everyone." I think that is the magic of teaching - Whether it's karate or something else, we are, in fact, all teachers. We may be teaching karate to the children in the ASK program, but they are teaching us about living with a disability, about courage, and, above all else, about non-quitting spirit."

Senpai Joshua Keesecker

Senpai Joshua holds a first degree black belt in Seido Karate. He teaches in the Junior, Youth, Teen and Adult Fitness programs. Joshua is an avid soccer player and physical trainer; he combines his athletic background with a patient yet enthusiastic teaching style for all ages.

"I was literally running by Thousand Waves in 1999 and had to stop. I was drawn by the effect instructors had on students of all ages and physical abilities. OSU; to strive with patience means to be your best, try your hardest, and everyone has a best regardless of their age. I think Thousand Waves encourages students to be their best."

Senpai Denise Coleman

Senpai Denise is a 1st degree black belt in Seido Karate. She teaches in the Little Kicks and Adapted Seido Karate programs and also serves on the Thousand Waves board of directors. She works as an accountant and has been at the same company for 23 years.

"I have been training at Thousand Waves since 1991. Teaching in the Little Kicks and the ASK program has helped me to realized I am always learning and has helped me to strengthen my self-confidence. Being open to the Seido way has helped me to have a non-quitting spirit in my every day life and in all that I do."

Senpai Carmiña Andreuzzi

Carmiña Andreuzzi is a 1st degree black belt in Seido Karate. She teaches in the Junior, Youth, and Teen programs. Carmiña is an artist and works in landscaping.

"Seido Karate has been both a humbling and empowering experience for me. It has given me much self confidence by teaching me to value what I have instead of to focus on what I lack. The goal is not to be the best but to be a better person today than I was yesterday. Technique over strength, spirit over technique. It is an honor to pass these values onto the younger people in my life."

Senpai Gabrielle Silverstein-Tapp

Gabrielle Silverstein-Tapp holds a first degree black belt in Seido Karate and teaches in the Juniors and Youth programs. She is an undergraduate at DePaul University, and has followed her love of music to pursue a Bachelor's of Music in vocal performance.

"I learned about Thousand Waves and Seido Karate through friends at my elementary school, and though we all joined together as seven and eight-year-olds, I am the only one who has continued my martial arts study throughout a ten year span. I can't imagine any other art form or physical activity that brings me more joy and fulfillment than being able to train with my second family, and learning how to pass it on to young Seido students."

Senpai Yesica Barrera

Senpai Yesica is a 1st degree black belt. She teaches in the adult program. She is a freelance photographer and teaches animation to teens.

"You only have to watch one karate class at TW to see how each individual takes from karate what they need to learn about themselves. You see people grow; you see yourself grow. It is an honor to pass on what my teachers have so diligently taught me."

Senpai Sarah Kranz

Senpai Sarah holds a first degree black belt in Seido Karate. She teaches in the Youth, Teen, Adult and Functional X Fitness classes. She is a licensed physical therapist and ASCM certified personal trainer.

"I believe that the art of teaching is an opportunity to share and to learn. I approach my teaching assignments hoping to present the material in a way that the lesson is the experience - that each of us, both teacher and students, will leave our time together more connected in our bodies, minds and spirits."