Yudansha

Dermot McDonald began his practice/study of Aikido in 1972 under the direction of Graham Burt Sensei, who had come from England, where he had been a student of Senseis Nakazono and Abe.
In 1977 Burt Sensei encouraged Dermot to open another dojo to help spread and develop Aikido. McDonald did so and it remains today the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland, where Dermot continues to train and to teach enthusiastically.
Sadly, in 1979 Burt Sensei passed away; it was revealed, however, that in his will he had left Dermot his sword. This was a great honour, of course, and was interpreted to mean. please continue.
Realizing that he still needed a teacher, shortly thereafter Dermot attached himself to Yamada Sensei of New York Aikikai. Over the years, McDonald says he has been very fortunate to have trained under many of O Sensei’s original students and foremost Aikido Masters.
Currently Dermot holds the rank of 7th Dan and is a certified Shihan – Master Instructor.

Neil has been practicing aikido for a long time.

Paul began training in Aikido in 1989 under the direction of Derm McDonald Shihan.
He graded for shodan in 1998 (Y. Yamada Shihan), nidan in 2003 (C. Berthiaume Shihan) and sandan in 2007 (Y. Yamada Shihan).
Paul was promoted to the rank of Godan in 2019, and maintains his shidoin certification.
Paul has attended seminars with some of Aikido’s foremost master instructors (N. Tamura Sensei, M. Kanai Sensei, T. K. Chiba Sensei, and Y. Yamada Sensei).
He travels to seminars as often as possible.

Jim started Aikido with McDonald Sensei at Brother Rice High School in late 1987, joining Graham Burt Aikikai shortly thereafter; he is currently fifth dan, shidoin.
As well as practicing at the Aikido Institute, Jim and Paul Glavine started a children’s club, St. Matthew’s Aikikai, in 2006. This club transitioned to become Beaconsfield Aikikai in the 22-23 school year.

Mark began practicing aikido at Graham Burt Aikikai under the direction of Derm McDonald Shihan. After a long absence, he returned to practice in 2008 under the direction of Kevin McDonald Sensei and Bill McDonald Sensei and was graded for shodan in 2012 by Donovan Waite Shihan (RIP), and for Nidan in 2019 by Claude Berthiaume Sensei.

Mark has attended seminars instructed by Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan (RIP), Donovan Waite Shihan, Claude Berthiaume Shihan, Yukio Kawahara Shihan, Massimo di Villadorata Sensei and Yumi Nakamura Sensei. He currently trains at the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland once again under the direction of Derm McDonald Shihan.

Daniel started practicing Aikido at the age of seven, under the instruction of Paul and Jim at a children’s club. He later joined Aikido Institute of Newfoundland with Sensei McDonald, and was awarded his Shodan in 2019 by Claude Berthiaume Sensei.

Photo Credits: Colette Phillips