About Us

Shuseki Shihan Donald LaMattina:

Chairman

International Toshindo Karate Federation

Bio

Donald LaMattina began his study of Japanese karate in March 1965 under the tutelage of renowned Grandmaster Soshu Shigeru Oyama. After 11 years of study, he was awarded the rank of fourth degree black belt and was internationally certified as a Kyokushin instructor. In 1986, Shihan LaMattina became co-chairman of the International Toshindo Karate Federation. On April 26, 2019, he rose to the rank of ninth degree black belt.

Shuseki Shihan LaMattina is currently chief instructor at North Castle Martial Arts. He supervises a staff of four senior black belt instructors and four junior black belt instructors. Shihan LaMattina is experienced in kobudo (weapons) training and self-defense techniques and is a certified instructor.

Achievements

• As a highly recognized tournament competitor, Shuseki Shihan LaMattina competed internationally, winning more than 60 tournament titles in both sparring and kata (form competition).
• Youngest student to ever earn the fourth degree black belt (certified instructor) in the Kyokushin Karate system in North America.

Favorite Kata

Kanku – The significance of Kanku is that no matter what problem or dilemma you may face, each day the sun rises anew and the universe is before you. As long as you are here and the sky and the sun are before you, you are never defeated.

Favorite Martial Arts Quote

Kenjo No Bitoku – With true strength comes humility.

Advice to New Students

Develop the self-discipline to begin training and then train consistently on a regular basis.

Shihan Paul Geller

Master Instructor

Bio

Shihan Paul Geller earned his Nanadan (seventh degree) black belt at Toshindo Karate in June of 2019. His martial arts training began in 1978, when he studied Shotokan karate under Sensei Mori. Almost 20 years later, he resumed his training with Shihan LaMattina at Toshindo Karate. He currently holds the rank of brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Shihan Paul comments that karate training has had a notable impact on his life, sharpening his physical and mental acuity. He enjoys the family atmosphere of the dojo. Karate has indeed become a family activity, and Shihan cherishes the time spent training and participating in tournaments with his son Sensei Douglas, who wears a 4th degree black belt. Shihan Paul enjoys both training and teaching at North Castle Martial Arts.

When not at NCMA, Dr. Geller can be found at his White Plains dental office, or with his wife and two children, or pursuing his hobbies of cycling, swimming, scuba diving, and making people laugh.

Achievements

• NYS MAC 2010 senior black belt karate – 1st place weapons, 2nd fighting
• BJJ: gold medal open and lightweight Blue belt Masters 2015 and 3rd place middleweight Blue belt masters 2016
• 2012 Blue belt competitor of the year Team Jucao

Favorite Kata

Kanku

Favorite Martial Arts Quote

You don’t stop training martial arts when you get old, you get old when you stop training!

Advice for New Students

Don’t stop. The tortoise will always beat the hare.

Shihan Alberta Prieto:

Master Instructor

Bio

Shihan Alberta started her karate journey in 2003 when the school her daughter was attending had a free month for parents. After the first class she was hooked. She started training with us in April 2005 with her daughter Sensei Aila. She earned her Shodan (first degree) black belt in December 2005. During her twenty years of teaching and training with Toshindo she rose to the rank of Rokudan (sixth degree) black belt and was awarded the title Shihan on July 10th, 2022.

Achievements

• Shihan Alberta has achieved top placements at many tournaments through the years.
• She had achieved an undefeated championship status in Grappling in the NAGA circuit.
• She started for Team Toshindo in competitions around the country and has helped competitors to win National and State championships.
• She has earned Hall of Fame Award in judging from the KRANE martial arts association, named Referee of the year by NY Twin Tower Karate and is nationally known and respected judge for the NASKA tournament circuit.
• Shihan Alberta is known for her strong teaching style and believes anyone can get better. She is fiercely protective of her students and loves to see their progress.

Favorite Kata

Pinan San Dan – Simple but complex

Favorite Martial Arts Quote

Nana Korobi Ya Oki – If you fall down seven times, get up eight times.

Advice to New Students

Come prepared to succeed and you will. Practice is the key to success. If you practice you will succeed. Success does not come easy. You must put the work in. Respect for others is also important in making yourself happy and will help you succeed!

Shihan Amanda LaMattina

Master Instructor

Bio

Under the instruction of her father, Shuseki Shihan Donald, Shihan Amanda started training as a young girl (some might say before she could even crawl!). By the time she was almost done with high school, she earned her Sandan (third degree) black belt. In 2013, she earned her Yodan (fourth degree) black belt and the title of Sensei. Amanda then went off to college at Fairfield University, where she joined the Martial Arts Club under the style Tang Soo Do. She not only became Co-President of the club but earned a red belt and an Instructors Award. Outside of karate, Shihan Amanda is a veterinarian, and is married to fellow black belt and marathoner Piotr Kostyk. After twenty-five years of training and teaching, Amanda earned her Godan (fifth degree) and the title of Shihan (Master Instructor) on July 10th, 2022.

Favorite Kata

Seienchin

Favorite Martial Arts Quote

Nana Korobi Ya Oki – If you fall down seven times, get up eight times.

Advice to New Students

Perseverance is the key to success, both inside and outside of the dojo. Have a goal, and don’t stop!

Sensei Michael Froning

Senior Instructor

Bio

Michael Froning began training in Karate in 2014 under Shuseki Shihan Don LaMattina and currently holds the rank of Sandan. Karate is a family affair for the Fronings with son Henry, who holds the rank of Nidan, and Ariana, a brown belt. Karate is now an integral part of his life and Sensei Froning loves both teaching and training. Sensei Froning achieved a Ph.D. in 1998 and has built and managed apartment buildings in the Bronx since 2015.

Favorite Kata

Skino – Kata of Thrust

Favorite Martial Arts Quote

Nana Korobi Ya Oki – If you fall down seven times, get up eight times.

Advice to New Students

A black belt is a white belt who never quit. Karate teaches your mind, body and spirit to never give up – no matter what!

Sensei Ethan Gattrell

Bio

Sensei Ethan started training in 2009 and became an instant fixture. By 2015, at 14 years old, he had achieved the rank of Nidan (second degree black belt), and his passion truly took off. At this point Shihan LaMattina began training Ethan to run classes on his own and this further expanded his training and knowledge and love for the art even more. Now, a decade later, Sensei Ethan is a Yodan (fourth degree black belt), and continues to dedicate himself to his craft in learning for himself and also teaching the students here at North Castle Martial Arts.

Sensei Ethan is also a full-time coach for a child development training center in Danbury, Connecticut that uses functional and foundational fitness to incorporate brain and character development in children. Complementing his martial arts knowledge, Sensei Ethan is also a certified kickboxing instructor for KickFit CT. He uses the skills gained from both areas to add to provide variety and excitement within the tradition and discipline of the martial arts.

Favorite Kata

Seienchin – Deliberate and artful, yet powerful and explosive, this advanced kata puts on display the true patience, precision, and technical excellence of its performer.

Favorite Martial Arts Quot

Ko Gaku Shin – Keep your mind open, to learn.

Advice to New Students

The ability to accomplish anything begins with the belief you can achieve it. Repetition, consistency, and resiliency trump all physical talent.