MI Association / Phonenix Martial Arts
Phoenix Martial Arts and it's Affiliates are all standing members of the MI Association which found by the world renown Sifu Cass Magda. This world wide origination purpose and commitment is to follow the highest standard of Martial arts teaching and philosophy. A list of the Phoenix instructors and Schools are below
Head Instructor
Sifu Dustin Santomenna
Phoenix Martial Arts of Massachusetts
Sifu Dustin Santomenna began his training with Sifu Greg Pichardo in 2002 and became his first certified instructor in the Magda Institute Association, directed by Sifu Cass Magda. Sifu Dustin holds Full Instructor credentials in Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali & Buka Jalan Silat under Sifu Greg and is a Senior Representative for his association, Phoenix Martial Arts. His first exposure to martial arts was as a child, from his father, a Shorin Ryu Blackbelt. He later dabbled in various styles of Karate and Kung Fu earning a blackbelt in a composite Karate style.
After graduating college with a degree in History and Literature, he moved back to New York and was introduced by his father to Sifu Greg Pichardo, who also became a student, and he began training in the arts of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Indonesian Pentjak Silat, and Muay Thai. At Sifu Greg’s academy, Dustin became a devoted student and staff member, helping to assist in teaching classes and running the school.
Through his studies with Sifu Greg, Dustin learned an appreciation of all martial arts styles and to become a seeker of knowledge. After relocating in 2006 to Massachusetts, he began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Professor Carlos Terrinha, becoming only his 4th American student to be promoted blackbelt in 2015. He also began a tutelage under Guro Guy Chase, learning the Villabrille/Largusa Kali System and Silat Mande Muda, and Catch Wrestling. At the same time Dustin began teaching small group classes and privates in Massachusetts, and he continues to teach the arts of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Indonesian Pentjak Silat and Grappling Arts at TMI Self Defense in Hopedale, Massachusetts. He is proud to represent Sifu Greg Pichardo and to be an affiliate of the Magda Institute Association.
Head Instructor
Sifu Nathan Marinone
Phoenix Martial Arts of Connecticut
Sifu Nathan “Mabilis” Marinone brings over 30 years of martial arts experience, having trained in a wide range of systems across the United States. He began his journey in 1993 with Tae Kwon Do. After a few years of exploring different Martial Arts, he discovered Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do in 1998. Since then, Sifu Nate has continued to expand his training, studying Wing Chun Kung Fu, Yang Tai Chi, Indonesian Pentjak Silat, Inosanto Kali/Silat, Serrada Escrima, Teovel Balintawak, Modern Arnis, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and Catch Wrestling.
He holds Full Instructor credentials under Sifu Greg Pichardo and serves as a Senior Representative for his association, Phoenix Martial Arts. He is also an Instructor and the Connecticut Representative for the Magda Institute Association, led by Sifu Cass Magda.
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Sifu Matthew Fanning
Phoenix Martial Arts of Hudson Valley New York
Sifu Matthew Fanning started training under Sifu Dustin Santomenna in 2007 in an after-school program teaching Filipino Martial Arts. This led him to join the main program at Phoenix Martial Arts Massachusetts. Sifu Matt would often travel with Sifu Dustin to seminars for his teacher Sifu Greg Pichardo and the founder of the Magda Institute Association Sifu Cass Magda. This sparked a passion to go out and seek information. He has traveled across the US and all the way to the Cass Magda Italy Summary camp. In 2019 he was recognized as an instructor in Phoenix Martial Arts and the Magda Institute Association. He currently is an Senior Associate Instructor in Phoenix Martial Arts under Sifu Greg Pichardo and an Instructor in the Magda Institute Association along with a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He actively trains with other styles in the Hudson Valley area.
Sifu Steven B.
Phoenix Midnight Combatives Long Island New York
Sifu Steven B. longtime student and assistant to Sifu Greg Pichardo, Steve B. has over 25 years of martial arts experience and over 20 years of Law Enforcement experience in both civilian and military settings. He has trained in a wide mix of martial arts and styles, with many renowned teachers. He is well versed in all ranges of combat.
He holds rank and certifications in both traditional and eclectic styles. Steve is warm and approachable and uses a detail-oriented teaching style. His expertise allows him to teach modern reality-based applications in a relatable way. Steve volunteers as a youth leader, regularly teaches to civilian, police, corporate, and military students one-on-one and in groups, and can relate to all age groups and audiences.
Picture coming soon
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Chuck Leverone
Phoenix Martial Arts of Massachusettes
Chuck Leverone Jr. started his martial arts at age ten in Kempo mostly because it was fun and he really enjoyed it. As the years progressed, he continued to enjoy it and grew eager to learn more. On September 7, 1996 he received the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) from Professor Nick Cerio and Shihan Craig Seavey in Nick Cerio’s Kenpo Karate and Jiujitsu. On August 16, 2008 – Mr. Leverone received the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in Nick Cerio’s Kenpo Karate and Jiujitsu and was awarded the title of “Shihan. On April 5, 2013 – Mr. Leverone started training in Filipino Kali and Indonesian Pentjak Silat under Sifu Dustin Santomenna.. In 2019 - Mr. Leverone started training in Serrada Escrima under Guro Nathan Marinone and has earned the rank of Antas Isa. In 2023 - Mr. Leverone received his Black Sash in Kali / Silat from Sifu Dustin Santomenna and became an Apprentice Instructor in the Phoenix Martial Arts Association. Mr. Leverone has studied Tai Chi under Dr. Aihan Kuhn, Aikido and Jiujitsu under Shihan Jason DeLucia and Chin Na at Yang’s Martial Arts Association.
Johnathan Turner
Phoenix Martial Arts of Massachusettes
Jonathan Turner started his martial arts training in 1997 training Shaolin-do karate and earning his 1st degree Brown belt before entering the Marine Corp in 1999. While in the Marine Corp Jonathan trained in McCullough's Submission Fighting in 2000 and in 2002 the newly implemented Marine Corp Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) where he earned his tan belt. After leaving active duty Jonathan moved to Massachusetts where he worked for The Department of Youth Services and now currently as a Corrections Officer for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. Jonathan started training in Phoenix Martial Arts under Sifu Dustin Santomenna in 2013. He received his Black Sash in JKD / Kali / Silat in 2023 and became an Apprentice Instructor in the Phoenix Martial Arts Association.
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Guro Jeb Walton
Phoenix Martial Arts of Connecticut
Jeb Walton began studying Filipino Kali in 2016 with Sifu Nathan Marinone. In 2024 he received his Black Sash in Filipino Kali under Sifu Nate and was invited into the Phoenix Martial Arts Instructor Program by Sifu Greg Pichardo. In addition to continuing his studies into the Filipino Martial Arts, Jeb also actively trains in JKD.
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Guro Michael Dwyer
Phoenix Martial Arts of Fort Lauderdale Florida
Michael Dwyer has over 24 years of experience in martial arts and started training at age 8 in Southern England. He studied Goju-Ryu Karate, Hakko-Ryu Jujistu, Yoshitsune Jujitsu, and Taekwondo before joining Phoenix Martial Arts of Massachusetts in April of 2012 learning the arts of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Indonesian Silat and Muay Thai under Sifu Dustin Santomenna. In recent years he has also studied Boxing and coaches for Sport Jujitsu in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In November of 2023 he became an official chapter affiliate of Phoenix Martial Arts, specializing in Buka Jalan Silat. In 2025, Mike became an Apprentice Instructor in the Phoenix Martial Arts Association. It is his lifelong passion to train and teach martial arts.
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Paul Soloman
Chapter Affiliate - Hudson Valley New York
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Coming soon
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