American Jiu Jitsu Instructors

shihan TONY AVILA

Tony Avila is the owner and head instructor of American Jiu Jitsu (AJJ) of Maplewood, a club organization under the American Jiu Jitsu Federation.

Shihan Tony started his American Jiu Jitsu training in 1994 while attending college at MIT.  In 1997, he successfully completed the AJJ Instructor Certification Course and was designated an AJJ Certified instructor.  He went on to earn rank of Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) in 1998.  Renshi Tony then received his Nidan rank (Second Degree Black Belt) in 2001, Sandan (Third Degree Black Belt) in 2005, and Yodan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) in 2012.

In 2019, Shihan Tony advanced to his present level of Master, the rank of Shihan (Fifth Degree Black Belt), by O’Sensei Joe Puleio, the founder of American Jiu Jitsu Centers.  This title is only awarded to a select group of elite martial artists in the American Jiu-Jitsu systems.

Shihan Tony has taught thousands of students, including the preparation of high ranking students for various levels of black belt.  Shihan Tony’s breadth of teaching ranges from teaching children self-defense and anti-bullying to training local Law Enforcement officers as well as Dept. of Homeland Security field agents. His teaching methods ensure that all levels of students understand the basic mental theory and physicality associated with each technique, with safety as a primary concern. 

Shihan Tony grew up in the Rio Grande Valley (extremely SOUTH Texas) and ventured off to pursue his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as Columbia University.  He has a long lasting career in finance, currently working in midtown Manhattan and living in Summit, NJ.

Sensei Ed Tall

Ed Tall began training in American Jiu Jitsu under O’Sensei Joseph Puleio at the hombu dojo in 2003. Upon moving to NYC, he continued training at daughter school New York Jiu Jitsu, under multiple excellent instructors, one of whom was Sensei (now Shihan) Tony Avila.  In 2007, Ed became a certified instructor in the American Jiu Jitsu Federation, and taught at NY Jiu Jitsu.  Currently, he is a regular instructor at American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood, where he also trains under Shihan Avila. On Sept 8, 2019, Sensei Ed promoted to the rank of Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt under O’Sensei Joe Puleio. Congrats Sensei Ed!!
In addition to running adult and kids classes, Sensei Ed runs Women’s Intro to Jiu Jitsu courses at AJJ Maplewood as well as multiple Self Defense Seminars.
In his free time, Sensei (Dr.) Ed is a professor of Biology at Seton Hall University.

SENsei TERRENCE DALTON

Sensei Terrence Dalton began his Jiu Jitsu training back in 2013 here at American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood. In 2017, Terrence completed his Instruction Certification and has contributed much of his time helping share his knowledge of Jiu Jitsu teaching Anti-bullying and Self-defense in our children's classes.
In 2024, Terrence promoted to the rank of Shodan Black Belt, receiving the title of Sensei.

SENpai John Bowman

John  began his Jiu Jitsu journey in 2001 in Harrison, Arkansas. After relocating to New Jersey,  he began training here at the American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood in 2012 under the expert instruction of Shihan Tony Avila.
In 2019 John became the AJJ Program Director assisting Shihan with studio operations and membership.
After completing his Instruction Certification in 2021, John began to dedicate much of his time to sharing his knowledge with  students of all ages.
Outside of the AJJ community, John is an incredibly involved husband, father, and business owner.

SENpai Christiane noll

After 3 years of consistent auditing as an AJJ parent, Christiane donned the Gi and has been developing her own practice under Shihan Tony Avila ever since.

Since completing her instructor certification, Christiane has found her AJJ passion of introducing the newer and younger members of the dojo to the principles and foundations of AJJ. Her classes are full of energy yet insightful in nourishing for young minds

The rest of the week, she is an award winning Broadway and concert performer with a career spanning over 30 years and has been sharing and teaching her art to young people and adults alike.

Senpai Jamie LaVerdiere

Jamie’s journey in American Jiu Jitsu began after years of watching his child’s class from the sideline. Though, he has been training his mind and body his whole life, first as an athlete, then as a dancer, and now as a martial artist.

Jamie has been helping others connect their mind to their bodies for decades as a personal trainer, choreographer, and now we are fortunate to have him as an instructor of American Jiu Jitsu after completion of the instructor certification program.

Outside the dojo, Jamie has an illustrious Broadway career spanning multiple decades and dozens of shows.

SENpai Mia avila

Mia began their training in American Jiu Jitsu at the young age of six, pioneering the kids’ program at AJJMaplewood.
Throughout their 12 years, Mia participated and assisted in self-defense seminars for women, leading them to becoming a certified instructor. Senpai Mia gives back to the AJJMaplewood community by teaching our youngest students of our Samurai Programs.

Mia is currently attending Case Western University studying Biomedical Engineering.

AJJ Teen Instructors

Tai Chi Basics - Sifu Rick Little

Sifu Rick Little

Sifu Rick's formal introduction to Asian martial arts began with Goju Style Karate when he was in high school.  While he was a college student, though, he was introduced to Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan by Sifu Sidney Austin.  After college and law school, he began studying Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan under Sifu Al Bender (9th Dan Kung Fu master and (former) student of both Master Bow Sim Mark and Grand Master Peter Kwok). 

Sifu Rick, whose training includes a variety of traditional Chinese weapons, earned his Tai Chi Chuan teaching certification and his Second Degree Black Belt from Sifu Al Bender. He began teaching Shaolin Kung Fu and Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan under the direction of Sifu Bender in 1999.

In 2004 Sifu Rick developed his Tai Chi Basics method of instruction, and he has been teaching Tai Chi Chuan,  viz.,TCB,  at AJJ Maplewood since 2015.