Instructors
Sifu Collin Lieberman
Director & Head Instructor
Collin moved to Ithaca in 2012 and fell in love with the city that he now calls home. This move offered a life-changing opportunity for him - to transform his passion for martial arts & fitness into a full-time venture, providing exceptional training to hundreds of families in our community.
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Collin personally teaches for most of Centerline's programs, including Adult Martial Arts, Fitness and Kids Kung Fu.
20+ Years of Martial Arts...
As a teenager, Collin was inspired by martial arts legend and founder of Jeet Kune Do (JKD), Bruce Lee. At age 18, Collin discovered a JKD school near his hometown and wouldn't stop talking to his parents about it. They signed him up as a birthday gift shortly thereafter, and what a gift if was! Flash forward more than 20 years, and "Sifu" Collin now owns his own martial arts academy. He is a certified Senior Full Instructor in Bruce Lee's art (Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do) under Sifu Raffi Derderian.
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Collin is also a Red Sash in the art of Kuntao Silat DeThouars, having been introduced to one of the finest Kung Fu & Silat instructors in the country (Sifu Matthew Cohen) while on one of his trips to train at the renowned JKD Inosanto Academy in Santa Monica, CA.
Additionally, Collin has cross trained in many martial arts styles, including Taijiquan (with world champion Stephen Watson), Filipino Kali, Muay Thai, Western Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The result of all this... a deep respect for those who undertake the journey of the martial artist - one of endless self discovery and self improvement.
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A Fire for Fitness and Movement...
Collin was an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from 2012-2016, and continues to enrich his fitness education through various classes, workouts & workshops. In addition to founding the Centerline Kung Fu Strength and Kickboxing programs, Collin has experience with Kettlebells, Original Strength, CrossFit, Pilates, Forrest Yoga, Qi Gong, and Neigong.
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Laura Thomas
Manager, Instructor, Gowlin
Laura is a Kickboxing, JKD Foundations, Kids Kung Fu, and Little Dragons instructor at Centerline. While Laura primarily practices Silat, Jeet Kune Do, and Kickboxing, she also trains in Muay Thai, dabbles in BJJ, and loves to find opportunities to train whenever she travels. A former High School Spanish teacher and Cheerleading coach, Laura loves to motivate her students and is passionate about helping people to feel good in their bodies. Laura is available for Private Coaching in Kickboxing, JKD Foundations, and Kids Kung Fu.
Izzy Herold
Manager, Instructor, Sija
Izzy started training at Centerline in 2018. Since then she has become a certified fitness instructor, as well as an Apprentice Instructor in the Kids Kung Fu program. Izzy primarily studies Kuntao Silat, and Jeet Kune Do. She has spent time exploring kickboxing, Muay Thai, Qigong and BJJ, which has had a significantly positive impact on Izzy’s life. She strives to share that positive empowerment whenever, wherever, and however possible. Izzy also enjoys painting, playing with dogs, and baking!
Patrick Wilshire
Jeet Kune Do Sisook
Patrick trained for many years in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Ving Tsun before coming to Centerline in 2015. He is an assistant instructor in our Jeet Kune Do program. Patrick also studies Kali and Silat.
Jake Seegers
Kids Kung Fu Gowlin
Jake is a Kids Kung Fu Instructor at Centerline, where he trains in Jeet Kune Do & Kickboxing. He also practices Aikido, and Japanese swordsmanship. Jake is a certified Personal Trainer, and has created his own gamified fitness program: FitQuest. He is passionate about sharing the knowledge he continues to receive through his many years of study with the community. Jake is available for Personal Training.
Melissa Pope
Bootcamp Instructor
Melissa has taught elementary physical education since 2006, and has helped countless kids live an active, more healthy lifestyle. Melissa leads our popular outdoor Boot Camps.
Mike Blegen
Jeet Kune Do Sisook
Mike has studied primarily Chinese martial arts, including Northern Shaolin Longfist, Wushu, Ba Gua, and Tai Chi. He started training at Centerline in 2016 and is an assistant instructor in our Jeet Kune Do program.
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Christian Przygocki
Kuntao Silat Assistant
Christian started at Centerline in 2017. He holds a previous instructor rank in Filipino Kali. He has also had training in various arts including JKD, Western boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Qi gong and meditation.
Shikhar Bajracharya
Jeet Kune Do Sihing
Shikhar began training at Centerline in 2016. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, 3rd degree brown belt in Shinto-Ryu Karate, and 6th kyu in Toyama Ryu Battodo. He has since continued training in Jeet Kune Do, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Silat, and Boxing.
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Luigi Guzzon
Jeet Kune Do Sisook
Luigi joined Centerline in 2016 when he started training in JKD. He has studied and practiced Wushu Nan quan [black sash first rank (1st Duan)], Chang quan, Tai Chi, QiGong, Sanda, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing.
Kathy Henion
Fitness Instructor
Kathy came to Centerline in 2016 as a mother of one of our Kids Kung Fu students. She decided to take advantage of our kickboxing classes, and loved it so much she decided to get certified as an instructor. Kathy also has training in boxing, Muay Thai, Push Hands, and other movement arts including dance, group fitness, yoga, and Pilates.
Gabbie Smith
Fitness Instructor
Gabbie’s first introduction to jabs and kicks was in HS, following along to Billy Blank’s Tae Bo VHS tapes. Fast forward some decades when she happened upon Kickboxing at Centerline in 2019, and fell in love with the supportive community and how the classes bring together various martial arts and fitness techniques for a fun and invigorating workout. Gabbie is passionate about creating uplifting environments where all learn and grow stronger alongside each other, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to do so as a kickboxing instructor at Centerline.
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