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WSA Instructors
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Sensei André Dulce
7th Degree Black Belt (Sichidan)
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Sensei Larry Byers
Sensei Byers is one of the original 17 students who signed up on the very first
day of class for WSA.
Rank: Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
Martial Arts: 32 years - karate
Spouse: Cindy
Children: Steven (25) Rachael (23) & Heather (19)
Occupation: Senior Vice President and Commercial Surety Underwriting Director, Contractors
Bonding and Insurance Company.
Started karate training in 1971 at a Goju Ryu dojo in Southern California and joined
WSA on October 1, 1973. Favorite kata is Unsu.
The Hollywood version of karate is usually about breaking boards and overpowering
others. This is unfortunate because the reality is far more interesting. Personally,
I enjoy the challenge of constantly striving to improve my technique. No matter
how many years one practices, there is always room for improvement. Fortunately,
the desire to improve one’s self is far more important in karate than raw athletic
talent. A person with average physical abilities who trains diligently and gives
110% will progress farther and more rapidly than an athletically gifted individual
who gives less than 100%.
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Sensei Neal Nathanson
Rank: Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
Martial Arts: 32 years - karate
Spouse: Stephanie
Children: Michael (10) & Eisbeth (9)
Occupation: Neurologist - Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology,
University of Washington School of Medicine.
Started karate training in 1967 in Philadelphia with Sensei T. Okazaki and joined
WSA in 1979. Sempai Nathanson holds the and his favorite kata is Sochin. "Karate
is like most things in life that are worth doing - the more you put into it - the
more you get out of it. The thing that I think is interesting about karate is that
the longer you train, the more I realize how much more there is to learn and how
much further I need to improve."
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Sensei Mark Cron
Rank: Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
Martial Arts: 21 years - karate
Family: Tami (spouse), Scott (9), Mikey (6)
Occupation: Itochu, Inc. Director of Export Building Material to Japan
Fluent in Japanese
Residence: Issaquah
Sempai Mark Cron began his karate training in Osaka, Japan and acheived the rank
of Shodan (1st Degree Black) in Shorinji Kempo. He studied Shotokan in Colorado
before coming to WSA 13 years ago. Sempai Cron says that karate is a great relief
from the pressures of daily life. He helps with teaching dutes at the Bellevue Dojo
and fills in at the Pine Lake Dojo whenever Sensei is out of town. His favorite
kata is Shochin and his best sparring technique is a very strong gyaki zuki (reverse
punch). You will find Sempai Cron in just about every WSA activity and function
and is always urging everyone on in spirit with words of encouragement! He would
like to pass this on to all students: "Think of Karate as a Way of Life and
not just a sport. Remember the Dojo Kun. It will make Karate more interesting and
easier to train if you stay in it for the long haul!" Whenever Sempai teaches
students will always have a great class with loud kiais and lots of karate spirit!
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Sensei Dave Skerlong
Rank: Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
Martial Arts: 25 years - karate
Spouse: Jackye (Yellow Belt)
Children: Michael (6yrs - Orange Belt) & Natalie (4)
Occupation: Plant Manager - GM Name Plating Inc., Seattle Division
Sensei Skerlong is in charge of teaching at the Everett Dojo.
Sempai Dave Skerlong started with Washington Shotokan Association in 1974, about
a year and a half after the dojo first opened its door. His other interests are
skiing, shooting sports (target) and keeping up with his two children. His favorite
kata is Nijushiho and favorite sparring technique is a jab followed by a reverse
punch. He teaches the Friday evening classes whenever Sensei is not there. Not only
does he enjoy the karate training, but also the great health benefits that comes
along with the training. His karate training tips are: a) train regularly and often
b) keep stances low c) loud kiai (yell). One will find Sempai Skerlong at every
- yes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening for class. His training is like
clockwork! One will always notice his extra low stances and good kicks! For a good
workout - be sure to see Sempai Skerlong on Friday evenings!
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