Rodrigo Lopes

Rodrigo is is a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcio "Mamazinho" Laudier and a Certified Black Belt instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Gracie Jr. and Gracie Barra. Rodrigo started learning Jiu-Jitsu in 1992 from Walter Mattos and Mario Sperry in Brazil. After moving to the United States in 1997, he began teaching in Seattle and then he became an instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rodrigo has competed in Brazil, California, Hawaii, and locally in the Northwest. In 2004 Rodrigo received his Black Belt promotion from Mamazhino after twelve years of training. The following April, 2005 he started Seattle Gracie Barra at the Tully's Academy and in December 2007 he started the Bellevue Gracie Barra Academy. Rodrigo was awarded his 1st Degree as a Gracie Barra Black Belt durring a visit by Professor Marcio Feitosa in August 2007 .

Stefan Dahlstet

Stefan Dahlstet has been interested in various martial arts for as long as he can remember. He boxed while in high school and started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while living in Southern California at Gracie Barra San Diego in 1997. He became a student of Mamazhino in 2002. After 10 years of dedication, Stefan was promoted to Gracie Barra Black Belt in 2007. In addition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Stefan is nearing completion of his Masters of Electrical Engineering at UW. He currently teaches classes on Wednesday and also runs the Seattle Gracie Barra Kids Program. Stefan is always ready to help another student or answer any questions.

Jesse Ruth

Jesse Ruth started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing in 2000 with PFS Rep Chris Anderson in Newport News, VA. He immediately began competing in grappling and various other martial arts competitions while also becoming more and more interested in Yoga and different ideas on exercise. He was promoted to blue belt before the end of his Navy enlistment in January 2001, and in April he moved to Chris Brennan's NG Academy in Irvine CA for five months of live in training in BJJ/MMA. After a summer in California, Jesse attended college in Ohio for four years and trained with Novia Unio BB Eduardo "Dudu" Barros, Pedro Sauer Rep Tony Rinaldi, BJJ & Submission Grappling Instructor Mike Demco. In fall of 2005 after graduating with a degree in Art, he again moved, this time to Seattle WA and after one year here he received his purple belt from Rodrigo Lopes and Marcio "Mamazhino" Laudier. Jesse currently runs Sunday classes that are a mix of BJJ, Kickboxing, and Yoga.