Meet the team
Our Staff
KWINTEN KEMP
7th Degree Black Belt
KWINTEN KEMP
Kwinten is the Heber Valley Tora Jutsu School Founder.
He has been in martial arts to some degree since he was a youth, having now over 20 years experience in multiple martial arts, such as: Tora Jutsu, Jujitsu, Aikido, Hung Gar, Hapkido, Kempo, Capoeira, Taekwondo, and Ninjutsu.
He loves all things martial arts and constantly seeks to improve the school, become a better teacher, and, above all things, loves seeing students learn and progress. You may also find him rock climbing or on mountain bike trails.
KAELEB KEMP
3rd Degree Black Belt
KAELEB KEMP
Kaeleb is the school director and has been training since he was 6 years old back in 2010.
Kaeleb is a martial artist through and through. He lives it as a lifestyle and is always seeking to improve his skill level. He is a talented teacher and is very creative.
He seeks to channel his creativity through many forms of art and writing, the foremost being his martial arts.
ELLIE EPPERSON
3rd Degree Black Belt
ELLIE EPPERSON
Ellie started her martial arts training when she was about 12-13 years old.
She assists at most of the classes and will be your teacher and friend.
Ellie is a diligent martial artist with a deep understanding of the history and culture surrounding our art. She teaches thoughtfully and is adept at traditional teaching methods.
JoANN GRIMES
1st Degree Black Belt
JoANN GRIMES
JoAnn started at the dojo in late January 2017.
Hitomi is a dedicated martial artist, disciplined teacher, and embodies the element of fire in her art. She is great at commanding a room and keeping students on track.
JoAnn keeps the dojo afloat in the most chaotic of times.
ALANNA KEMP
1st Degree Black Belt
ALANNA KEMP
Alanna started training in December of 2016. The very first time she walked into our school she fell in love with Tora Jutsu.
When she began her martial arts journey as a teenager she was very timid and lacked confidence. Tora Jutsu has shown her how strong and worthwhile she really is!
Her favorite thing about martial arts is that unlike most sports, women can compete with (and beat!) men (seriously ladies, Tora Jutsu will show you how strong you really are!!!).
She is super excited to share this martial art with anyone and everyone, because she knows that it can change lives.
She is the head instructor of the Spanish immersion class on Fridays, so if you speak Spanish or would like to learn it, she would be thrilled to train with you on Fridays.
You will see her training in regular classes as well- she can’t get enough of it!
ALEX RANNIGER
2nd Degree Black Belt
ALEX RANNIGER
Alex is an assistant instructor at Heber valley Tora Jutsu.
He started martial arts training at age seven and has experience and backgrounds in Karate,Jujutsu, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and Shorin Ryu.
Alex has over 7 years experience in martial arts and over 200 hours of teaching experience.
He believes that we can all better ourselves and live a fuller life through mind and body training.
Alex will help other students, both younger and older, to achieve that goal.
He is an energetic student and teacher, and is knowledgeable beyond his youthful age.
LINDSAY BUHLMAN
1st Degree Black Belt
LINDSAY BUHLMAN
Lindsay started training in Tora Jutsu as a youth, Fall of 2015.
She embodies patience and strength of character and body.
Through her many years of dedicated training she consistently progressed in all aspects of Tora Jutsu.
She has demonstrated high quality teaching capabilities as a young Sensei.
She is compassionate and stable minded, and helps to balance the energy of the classes.
BLAKE STEPHENS
1st Degree Black Belt
BLAKE STEPHENS
Blake joined the Heber Valley dojo with his wife, Kaelin, in Fall of 2017.
He has a background in various eastern and western martial arts and has been a diligent student and teacher in Tora Jutsu.
He obtained his Shodan in Tora Jutsu in November of 2021.
He is knowledgeable about many angles of martial arts. He embodies animal styles effectively and is able to think deeply about the history, stories, and teachings of Tora Jutsu.
He also excels in weapon use with nunchaku, staff, sai, and sword.
He is uniquely gifted at teaching small children.
KAELIN STEPHENS
1st Degree Black Belt
KAELIN STEPHENS
Kaelin joined the Heber Valley Dojo with her husband, Blake, in Fall of 2017.
She is intelligent and creative in her approach to teaching, learning, and everything in between.
As a model dojo mother she embodies both the strength of a warrior and the tenderness of a nurturer.
The room lights up when she walks in. She is also exceedingly gifted at teaching small children.
DAVID FARRELL
2nd Degree Black Belt
DAVID FARRELL
Dave’s martial arts journey started as a kid taking Judo. His father also taught him some Karate, Jujutsu, and Aikido that he learned in the Marines.
At 17 Dave went into the Army and learned more combat Karate.
After the Army work and family kept him busy so he let martial arts stay in the background. He would spar with Blackbelt friends but never bothered to obtain any formal belt rank.
At age 54 he had a series of significant medical issues which brought him to start training in Tai Chi; which led him to this dojo.
Through this dojo he practices Tora Jutsu as well as several internal martial arts.
Dave is a calming influence in the dojo, very wise, and authoritative when needed to keep order. His kind demeanor makes him a great instructor.
CHELSEA LINFORD
1st Degree Black Belt
CHELSEA LINFORD
Chelsea Linford started November of 2017 after her sister introduced her and quickly advanced through the ranks and was chosen to be a Red Belt when she was 14 due to her gift of teaching and learning quickly.
She is excellent at teaching the needed discipline to students in classes and has natural and significant gifts for teaching.
She is strong and shows elements of Earth and Water in her style. She jumped into the martial art, and loved learning and making new friends.
She has loved helping out with classes. She likes learning new things, and improving herself. She is very athletic and loves making her body and mind in tune with each other.
ELIAN POPE
1st Degree Black Belt
ELIAN POPE
COMING SOON
SHELBY JONES
1st Degree Black Belt
SHELBY JONES
COMING SOON
AMBER SMITH
Red Belt
AMBER SMITH
Amber joined the Tora Jutsu family in 2021, and she has loved every moment of training and growing since.
Before discovering martial arts, she did gymnastics for 14 years, and you will still find her doing handstands and cartwheels around the dojo.
Tora Jutsu has helpled fill the hole gymnastics left in her life, and she is passionate about becoming the best she can and helping others do the same.
She loves working with people of all ages, and having a good time!
Amber currently lives in Provo, but she comes to the dojo as often as she possibly can. She looks forward to seeing you there, too!
LINK METCALF
Red belt
LINK METCALF
COMING SOON
DAVID FRESQUES
Red Belt
DAVID FRESQUES
Dave is a solid and devoted martial artist.
What started as a journey for his two youngest sons has now developed into something he and his family enjoy doing together.
He began training in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu nearly 30 years ago and has felt right at home, and feels he has found a family within our dojo. In his words, “The camaraderie is unmatched, and I have found great purpose, meaning, and discipline once again, by becoming fully immersed in the Kokusai Tora – Jutsu Kyokai martial art, having the determination to finish what began long ago.”
David is a solid red belt that learns quickly, lives the art as a part of his lifestyle, and is very strong. He is patient and helpful with students. David is a strong martial artist with a good sense of judgment and decision making, and learns quickly.
ANGELA NEERINGS
Red Belt
ANGELA NEERINGS
Angela brings a calming and willing influence to her martial training.
She is collected and quick to learn and apply Tora Jutsu principles.
The first to help out when needed and very observant. She trains with some of her awesome children and helps us stay on track.
BYRSON BYRD
Red belt
BYRSON BYRD
COMING SOON
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