5640 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, United States
About Our Instructors
Sensei Richard Todd
Sensei Richard Todd
Sensei Richard Todd
Richard Todd began his karate training in 2002-2003 at Montessori Centers, at the after-school program run by then 4th Degree black belt, Sensei Gensheimer. What began as a fun extracurricular activity turned into a
lifelong passion.
Since then, he has trained at Hanshi Phil Morgan’s dojo in Plainfield for five years, attended numerous sem
Richard Todd began his karate training in 2002-2003 at Montessori Centers, at the after-school program run by then 4th Degree black belt, Sensei Gensheimer. What began as a fun extracurricular activity turned into a
lifelong passion.
Since then, he has trained at Hanshi Phil Morgan’s dojo in Plainfield for five years, attended numerous seminars and trainings in other martial arts, and competed at several local tournaments. He earned his Godan (5th degree black belt) in November 2019, and deeply enjoys nearly all aspects of Karate.
Sensei Vince Hernly
Sensei Richard Todd
Sensei Richard Todd
Vince Hernly started karate in the summer of 2006 and received his black belt in the fall of 2009 under the instruction of Sensei Jeanie Gensheimer. He earned the rank of Godan (5rd degree black belt) and the "Sensei" title on November of 2019.
He has been teaching for Sensei Gensheimer for several years. He enjoys teaching all skill-level
Vince Hernly started karate in the summer of 2006 and received his black belt in the fall of 2009 under the instruction of Sensei Jeanie Gensheimer. He earned the rank of Godan (5rd degree black belt) and the "Sensei" title on November of 2019.
He has been teaching for Sensei Gensheimer for several years. He enjoys teaching all skill-levels and finds that teaching others is often a great way to deepen his understanding of karate.
Sensei Richard Todd
Sensei Ben Hernly
Ben Hernly has been teaching karate for 6 years and plans to continue for many years to come. He started training in the first grade and it had a massive influence in his life.
Ben was the first one in his family to take karate and now four members of his family have black belts. He hopes that his teaching can give others the same experience and opportunity that he received from karate. Ben is a gifted instructor – dynamic and entertaining.
Sensei Donald Braid
Donald Braid, inspired by his daughter’s experience with Sensei Gensheimer, began his karate training in 2013. He quickly realized the physical and mental discipline of karate is life-sustaining. When he started teaching for Sensei in the schools in 2018, he became aware of the additional pleasure that comes from helping others progress in the art. Braid earned his Godan (5th degree black belt) from Sensei Gensheimer in 2021.
He received his black belt under Master Gensheimer in 2014 in spite of back and knee problems, and received the rank of 5th Dan in 2025. He has been teaching for Master Gensheimer for over 7 years. He believes that the martial arts can benefit everyone, regardless of their size, age, gender, ability, or limitations.
Sensei Robert Bilek
Robert Bilek was interested in martial arts as a kid who was bullied by bigger kids. He trained in Aikido as an adult from 1992-2003, earning 1st degree black belt. He began training in Karate in 2012 under Sensei Jeanie Gensheimer as an Ivy Tech College credit class.
He received his black belt under Master Gensheimer in 2014 in spite of back and knee problems, and received the rank of 4th Dan in 2019. He has been teaching for Master Gensheimer for over 4 years. He believes that the martial arts can benefit everyone, regardless of their size, age, gender, ability, or limitations.
Sensei Rachel Jackson
Sensei Danny Hargrove
Sensei Broxton Bird
Broxton Bird joined Jeanie Gensheimer Martial Arts in 2018 with his son and daughter as a family activity. He earned his black belt in November 2022 and was awarded the rank of Sandan (3rd degree) and the title of Sensei in November 2025. Broxton enjoys working with students of all ages and has been teaching at the Riviera Dojo and at the Sycamore after-school karate program since 2022. He loves teaching karate because of the community it creates and the multitude of benefits that it offers to students of all abilities.
Sensei Carmen Taylor
Carmen Taylor began her martial arts journey after joining her children in a karate program they had started through school. New to Indiana and initially interested mainly in fitness, she stepped into the dojo unsure whether karate would be the right fit—and quickly discovered the joy of learning outside her comfort zone (and occasionally being asked to hit people). With a background in math and science, she especially enjoys self-defense and grappling, which offer a form of problem solving where the feedback loop is immediate and remarkably honest. As an instructor, Carmen enjoys helping students of all ages develop confidence through steady practice and a focus on fundamentals. She values the dojo as a supportive space where students are encouraged to take risks, learn from mistakes, and grow together—quietly, methodically, and with just enough discipline to keep the inner ninja mostly under control.