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 the majority of 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!”

Zachary White Sensei

Zachary White Sensei is an instructor at the Sarasota Aikikai in Sarasota, Florida. He was promoted to the rank of Nidan in 2022 and since then has also completed the dojo's teacher training program.

Zach Sensei began his training at the Sarasota Aikikai in 2015 with our legacy instructors, and under Melissa Bell Sensei since 2016. He continues to train regularly at the Sarasota Aikikai, in addition to training at seminars and classes with Saotome Sensei and other senior ASU instructors.