Brad Bergeron
Brad Bergeron began his training in Aikido almost 25 years ago at the University of Texas in Austin. After moving to Duluth, Minnesota in the late 80's he began "Northern Lights Aikido," at the suggestion of his teacher and the head of Seidokan Aikido, Rodrick Kobayashi Sensei. Brad has been teaching Aikido for 20 years, and has taught many students who have achieved black belt status and started their own dojos. He has trained in many styles of Aikido and holds rank in three. He also worked and trained full-time in Japan for 18-months. His current rank is Yondan, which he has held for more than a decade, since the death of his teacher Kobayashi Sensei. Brad has conducted and hosted numerous seminars in the US. In addition, he has participated and taught a number of International programs as well. One of the more notable was his trip to Russia with Kobayashi Sensei just before the fall of the Soviet Union. Other notable International seminars he has conducted include: Tokyo, Japan; Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel; and Thunder Bay, Canada. Brad continues to teach regular classes in Duluth, Minnesota with help of a number of excellent instructors. Currently, Brad is working with a group of independent dojo to form a new international coalition to support Aikido in the 21st Century, called "100 Pillars: International Aikido Association." The effort is based on the idea that "ALL of us, are smarter than ANY of us" (one of Brad's favorite sayings).
Frank Guldbrandsen
Dr. Frank Guldbrandsen is the instructor of the University of Minnesota Duluth Aikido program, a for credit physical education class. After achieving a P.H.D. in Educational Philosophy in 1972 Dr. Guldbrandsen continued his education and received his D.S.C. in Holistic Health and Medicine. As a part of his D.S.C., Dr. Guldbrandsen trained for two years in White Crane Kung-Fu at the Center for Natural Bio Holistic Health and Medicine. Dr. Guldbrandsen began his training with Bergeron Sensei in Duluth Minnesota in the mid -80?s, as well as being fortunate to study under Kobayashi Sensei. In the late 80's, Dr. Guldbrandsen began teaching the Aikido course at the U. M. D where he has introduced around 1000 students to Aikido. He is currently working in the Education Department at U.M.D. and introducing Aikido to students.
David Greske
I live in Duluth, Minnesota. I discovered Aikido and started practicing about 10 years ago and I've achieved the rank of Nidan. I've enjoyed attending seminars in Tokyo, Japan, St. Louis, Missouri, Long Beach, California, and LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I have had the opportunity to practice with the late Bill Sosa Sensei, Brad Bergeron, Ross Robertson, and many others. Our dojo in Duluth is at the local YMCA where Sensei Bergeron is the Chief instructor and Forrest Williams and I each teach a class a week. Teaching helps me in my own learning and journey through Aikido by allowing me to observe techniques, practice techniques, and then to teach the techniques which is on of the best ways to learn for yourself and help others along the way. I plan to continue practicing and learning, wherever and however it takes me. Learning to be balanced and aiki is a continuous process that changes through life. I also own a home and I'm co-owner of a masonry company based in Duluth. I have also been involved in real estate and development. I enjoy anything that involves stone or brick and enjoy spending time near Lake Superior.
Forrest E Williams, III
Began Aikido training in 1989 at Northern Lights Aikido Dojo in Duluth under the instruction of Brad Bergeron Sensei. Received rank of Shodan from Seidokan Kancho R.T. Kobayashi in 1993. Received rank of Nidan from 100 Pillars International Aikido Association in 2005 (signatories: Brad Bergeron, Ross Robertson, and Eli Landau). End Bio, over. Favorite quote: "Ain't got time for the jibba-jabba!" - Mr. T