About Us
Traditional and Adaptive Students
At the Academy at Rising Sun, the only label you have is "student". We are the first martial arts school in Vermont with a dedicated adaptive program for students with disabilities. We are a non-profit organization 501(c)3. Our program is Okinawan Karate based a mix of kenpo and Tae Kwon Do. Students earn rank at their own pace with a testing format best suited for their success. We believe that the benefits of martial arts training should be available to all the seek it. We are your local karate school!
THE SENSORY STUDIO IS NOW OPEN
Built for our students with sensory issues, the studio will be used for small karate classes, mat chats, private lessons, stretching class, yoga and meditation. Our first advanced class in this space claimed it became a "think tank", allowing them to expand their techniques and ideas to flow.
I would like to thank the many people that worked on this space to get it ready in time. Bob Scarcello worked many late nights and did all the heavy lifting for this project. Kaylee Selleck, Julie Chadwick and Reilly Granger - your help was invaluable. Thank you.
March/April 2019
THE ACADEMY IS CLOSED APRIL 9 AND 10TH
Winter/Spring 2019 Classes
Kids Karate
Our kids program welcomes the traditional as well as the adaptive student. Our program emphasizes leadership skills, goal setting, body and boundary control, respect for themselves and others. We also have a strong self-defense program that will help the student feel more confident in their abilities to defuse situations.
Adult Program
The adult program is based on traditional martial arts with adaptations made for students with limitations. We teach Okinawan style of Karate with traditional kata and bunkai. Self-defense techniques encompass styles like Ju jitsu, judo throws and aikido. Beginners are welcome.
Traditional Class - Monday 5pm
Adaptive Class - Wednesday 6:30pm
Dynamic Energy Class
This 30-45 minute class is designed for the student who needs to move. Perfect for students with ADHD. We keep this class based on traditional karate with a fast, methodical pace steeped in repetition. Some students are assigned martial arts mentors to help keep them motivated and focused.
Rising Sun Summer Camp
The 2019 Summer Camp Schedule begins with
Adventure Camp I June 24-28th.
Adventure Camp 2 on July 8th-12th
This is a summer day camp open to ALL campers ages 6-16. The camp will be open on a first come, first serve basis.
Camp runs Monday - Friday 9am-4pm
9am- 4pm
Activities include:
Daily workout, games, crafts, hiking, swimming and challenges! Each day will include activity choice so campers can participate in programs that interest them. We will be have a lego racing day, programs in photography, dance, fort building, boat racing, first aid, wood burning and lifeguarding!
No martial arts experience is necessary. Everyone will have fun!
$50 non-refundable deposit due at time of signing. $100 is due the first day of camp.
Warrior 1 - Teens
NEW PROGRAM - WARRIOR 1- PRETEENS. This 4 hour course will be held IN MARCH (date to be announced) at 77Furnace Rd, Pittsford, VT.
Open to all 5th and 6th graders, as well as Middle-school students. (Membership at Rising Sun not mandatory).
This course recognizes that today’s preteens need better skills to overcome the obstacles they face in their daily life.
Using Martial Arts Principals, we will empower the teen to better deal with cyber bullying, harassment, threats and fear of school shootings.
When we consider the increase in teen anxiety, depression, suicide, drug abuse and in light of the police intervention at Middlebury Middle School to stop a school shooting, the need to armor our children with skills and techniques that can save their physical and emotional life is imperative. Course is limited to 12 students. $25 MEMBERS*/ $35 NON-MEMBERS. (*Members are currently enrolled at classes at Rising Sun)
Advanced Karate
This class is by invitation only. Students are expected to participate in one other karate class in addition to advanced class. Advanced class offers theory, advanced technique, takedowns, sparring and weapons.
Happenings
Kripalu Yoga
YOGA WILL RESUME IN APRIL. Due to the many cancelled classes due to weather, we will wait until it warms up a bit to resume! Paula Ligouri
MAKE UP CLASSES
The Monday, March 25th Make-up class does not have enough students signed up. The next make up class will be in April.
Zumba
Taught by Lisa Tracy, this class has flexible impact and intensity to meet the needs of the beginner to advanced student. The music motivates and its hard to believe exercise can be such fun.
MARCH STUDENT OF THE MONTH
MILES ROBBASON
Miles is a new student to Rising Sun. A bright young man with an inquiring mind, Miles has made a huge splash in our martial arts community. Recently put up for his first promotion, it was apparent that he was close to having all the requirements for the second belt! Given the option of testing for the first belt or practicing a bit longer and testing for the second belt, Miles opted to wait and increase the challenge. On March 19th, he tested for Orange belt/ white stripe and gave an unprecedented beginner performance. His kata was well executed, with great timing and focus. We are all excited to watch his progress here at the Academy. He certainly looks like a potential black belt. Congratulations Miles.
Congratulations Raul Soto
Raul Soto, who was our student of the month last month, was awarded an honorary Black Belt from Rising Sun.
Soto left Venezuela right before his black belt test. He came to our dojo and has brought strong traditional technique and power. Quick to share and appreciated and respected by all, we look forward to seeing his honorary degree turn into a full one.
SUMMER CAMP
2019 Summer Adventure Camp
Week 1 - June 24th-28th -
Week 2 - July 8-12th -
A collage of favorite activities from past camps! Daily workout, activities, hikes, games , crafts, swimming, challenges and fun!
$150 per week
$165 week for non members
9-4pm Monday - Friday
Calendar
Classes are subject to change
MONDAY
Private lessons by appointment
Traditional Adult Class 5pm
5:30-6:15Zumba
TUESDAY
8AM - Morning Stretch By Appointment
4pm-4:30 Dynamic Energy
5pm -5:45 Kids Karate
WEDNESDAY
12PM-2PM Private lessons
4pm Kids Karate
5pm Advanced Karate (by invitation)
5:30-6:15 Zumba
6:30pm-7:30pm - Adult/Adaptive
THURSDAY
4pm-5pm Kids Karate - waiting list
only
MAKE-UP CLASS SCHEDULE * Must sign up online 48 hours prior to class
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Our Staff
Renshi Kathy Maxey-Scarcello
Opening Rising Sun Martial Arts in 2001, Maxey-Scarcello, 4th dan has been a community dojo teaching kids, adults and students with disabilities. Overseeing all curriculum and staff, the school has expanded since becoming a non-profit organization. With roots in the Pittsford community for over 30 years, Maxey-Scarcello lives in Wells, VT with her husband.
Sensei Mark Madison
2nd Dan, Mark Madison teaches adult and adaptive classes. A web designer, vocalist for the Solaris Choral Group, Madison began his martial arts training in Manchester Vt. Madison and his wife Robyn live in Danby, VT.
Sensei Raul Soto
Sensei Raul Soto brings his strong experience in Shotokan to Rising Sun. We will see much of his influence in the higher rank kata. His desire and love for teaching adaptive martial arts has made him a perfect fit here at the Academy. A native of Venezuela, Raul resides in Pittsford, VT with his wife and son.
Support Staff
Emily Jannene
Sempai Emily came to Rising Sun with an advanced level in Kenpo karate. Currently ranked a brown belt, she supports the adult/adaptive class.
Al Lovely
Sempai Al Lovely found Rising Sun through his grandchildren that were training. Another Kenpo practitioner, Al was quick to learn our style and supports the Adult/Adaptive class.
Josh Tabor
Sempai Josh is our highest ranking adaptive student. He is beginning his Instructor training in September 2018 and will be supporting the Tuesday Kids Karate class.
Student Support Staff Fall 2018
Kaylee Selleck
Kaylee can be found in the dojo on any given day, training, doing chores and helping other students. Invited to the advanced class at a beginner rank, she has grown from a shy, meek girl to an outgoing, strong young woman. Kaylee is assigned to the Tuesday Kids class, but I suspect you might see her in other classes as well.
How do I get on the Student Support Team?
Mature students that focus on their training, work hard and show an interest in theory and martial arts history are welcomed into the Leadership Instructors Program. Assisting under an instructor's guidance, the student learns how to guide and motivate the younger student.
Keenan Hogan
Keenan was a great asset in 2017 classes. His calm and gentle demeanor made it easy for him to teach technique to younger students. His attention to detail and incredible memory has helped him to move up in rank. Keenan is a Wednesday Kids class assistant.
Donate Now
WE ARE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and enable more students with Autism, ADHD, Physical and Cognitive Disabilities to benefit from martial arts training. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Belt Ranking Test Photo Gallery
LEGO Racing Fundraiser Photo Gallery
