CURRENT INSTRUCTORS

Melissa Bell Sensei

Melissa Bell Sensei is the Chief Instructor and Dojo Cho at the Sarasota Aikikai in Sarasota, Florida. She personally teaches all the aikido classes at the dojo.

Bell Sensei began her training in 1992 at the Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington D.C. under Shihan Mitsugi Saotome and other senior instructors including Patty Saotome Sensei and Frank Bell Sensei.

Bell Sensei presently holds the rank of 5th Dan (ASU/Aikikai) and has received all her ranks directly from Saotome Sensei. She has also trained six years (through Shodan) in Shotokan Karate under Rick Hotton Sensei at the West Wind Dojo in Sarasota, Florida and continues this association through the Sunday Morning Keiko martial arts community.

In addition, she has received the honor of the Ueshiba Juku designation from Saotome Sensei; This signifies she is a carrier of the teachings of O’Sensei as transmitted through Saotome Sensei.

She continues her own training at the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) Intensive Training Camps, and at other national seminars under Saotome Sensei, Ikeda Sensei and Mary Heiny Sensei, along with other senior ASU instructors.

One of her favorite quotes from Saotome Sensei:  “The secret of aikido?  there are three:  Distance… Timing… and Looking Good!”

legacy instructors

Duane "Peewee" Jones Sensei

Peewee Jones Sensei started his Aikido practice in 1973 and started training under Saotome Shihan in 1975. He trained and taught at the Sarasota Aikikai for over 40 years and was promoted through the rank of Rokudan (6th Dan) at the recommendation of Saotome Sensei.

His spirit is often at the dojo to welcome new students and share in the training and the old time stories with true aiki spirit. Peewee Jones Sensei passed from this world in 2022.

Daryl Schrader Sensei

Daryl Schrader Sensei took his first Aikido class in 1967 under Koichi Tohei Sensei. When Saotome Sensei came to the US in 1975, Daryl was among the first students to seek him out.

Daryl Sensei was promoted through the rank of Rokudan (6th dan) at the recommendation of Saotome Sensei. He trained and taught at the Sarasota Aikikai for many decades. His common sense wisdom and unflagging support for the dojo are often missed. Daryl Sensei passed away in 2022.