Our Instructors & Staff
Our instructors have spent decades devoted to training in the martial arts. Through extensive testing and certification, our staff members enjoy continuous learning and share their experiences with the next generation.
Our instructors have spent decades devoted to training in the martial arts. Through extensive testing and certification, our staff members enjoy continuous learning and share their experiences with the next generation.
Founder & Dojo Owner
Shihan / Dojo Cho
9th Dan/8th Dan/3rd Dan
(Awarded the title "Knight of the Clear Blade of Truth" in 2006) トッド ノークロス
Sensei Norcross began studying Uechi-Ryu Karate at the age of ten in Massachusetts. He earned his first Black Belt in Karate at the age of seventeen.
Looking for a Martial Art with more depth, he began traveling the U.S. to train in Ninjutsu at the Kinryu "Barn Dojo" with An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes in 1984. He continued to make regular trips to Ohio for weekend seminars with Hayes and various Tai Kai around the U.S., as well as to Soke Masaaki Hatsumi's seminars.
He was first published at the age of seventeen in the Musubi Journal, conducting a training interview with An Shu Stephen K. Hayes.
He began training with Shihan Mark Davis at the Boston dojo in 1986. Throughout the years, Mr. Norcross has attended dozens of Tai Kai, Advanced Workshops, Seminars, and events with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Fumio Manaka, Shoto Tanemura, Toshiro Nagato, Tetsuji Ishizuka, Yukio Noguchi, Hideo Seno, Koryu Muramatsu, and Arnaud Cousergue in Japan and Mitsunari Kanai Sensei (New England Aikikai) in Boston, MA.
In 1999, he moved permanently from Massachusetts to Dayton, Ohio, to become a personal student of Black Belt Hall of Fame member An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes.
In 2006, he opened a full-time Samurai/Ninja school (The Dojo Martial Arts) in Mason, Ohio, 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
His hit single "Ain't Nothing Gonna Break My Stride" has earned a double-platinum award on Spotify with over 2,300,000 streams.
- Bujinkan Budo (9th Dan) - Sakki Test given by Dai Shihan Arnaud Cousergue (France)
- Budo Taijutsu Shihan 9th Dan (Hanshi)
- Awarded Bujinkan Shidoshi Teaching License by Masaaki Hatsumi in Japan
- To-Shin Do (3rd Dan in 2007) awarded by Stephen K. Hayes
- Uechi Ryu Karate (Shodan in 1987)
- Presented the Eastern Name 'Ho-Un' (Dharma Cloud) in 2004
- Member of Stephen K. Hayes' Marishi Kai Instructors Guild Dignitary Protection Team
- Awarded the warrior name 'Ryotoshi' (Knight of the Clear Blade of Truth) in 2007 by SKH
- 刀 能 流 Tōnō Ryu Sword Style Founder (2011)
- Amazon Books Best-selling co-author of Elite Martial Artists in America (2024)
- Co-Author of Elite Martial Artists Worldwide (2025)
- 2025 International Best-Selling Contributing Author (Elite Martial Artist Worldwide Compilation Book) Award Winner.
- 9.75 million song streams achievement award on Spotify
He was a member of the Marishi-Kai protectors guild. He has bodyguarded several times for the Dalai Lama, Muhammad Ali, and other celebrities and dignitaries.
He is certified through Wright State University in Anti-Bullying Psychology.
From 2002-2005, he co-founded and taught hundreds of students at Spirit Quest - a non-profit inner-city youth program with 5 locations.
Throughout the decades, he has taught self-defense courses for Local and State Law Enforcement, the U.S. Military, and various Public and Private School systems.
Outside of the dojo, Mr. Norcross has Degrees in Philosophy and Recording Engineering (Recording Workshop, Chillicothe, Ohio).
He hosted the YouTube learning series "Relaxation Oil Painting" - based on the techniques of television artist Bob Ross.
He has written and recorded 32 original albums of music (including the popular 'Taiken' Taiko Drum training music Series I-IV) and instrumental compositions for television and film.
He co-authored a chapter in the 2024 Amazon best-selling Elite Martial Artists in America Volume 2.
In 2025, Sensei Norcross was awarded the "Best Seller Elite Martial Artist Worldwide Volume 3 in 35 categories across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK on Amazon Books.
In 2026, Sensei Norcross was awarded the "Best Seller" Elite Martial Artists From White Belt to Wisdom Volume IV: Life Lessons on the Journey to Mastery. Sensei wrote a chapter in the book. Get your copy today on Amazon!
He resides in West Chester, Ohio.
Mr. Norcross has traveled throughout the U.S., teaching workshops and seminars on the Martial Arts and the Weapons of Budo.
He has many LDS (Long-Distance Students) worldwide.
If your dojo or training organization wishes to host a continuing education seminar with Mr. Norcross, contact thedojocincinnati@gmail.com for more details and hourly/daily/weekend pricing.
Under his leadership since 2006, The Dojo has become one of the most respected martial arts schools in the Greater Cincinnati area, celebrating over 20 years of training students of all ages.
Sensei & Shidoshi
Shidoshi
Godan — 5th Degree Black Belt
Inazuma
Sensei Danes has a real passion for martial arts, which you can experience in his classes.
He earned a Shodan Black Belt in Jukado before joining The Dojo. Outside of his martial arts training, Zane works in Information Technology as a Project Manager for Johnson and Johnson.
Inside the dojo, he enjoys working with adults and kids and learning the art of the Japanese sword and Classical Budo. In 2022, he earned the warrior name Inazuma (Lightning Bolt). He has earned the rank of Godan, 5th Degree Black Belt.
Outside The Dojo, Zane enjoys golfing, spending quality time with his family, and exercising.
Senior Instructor
Yondan — 4th Degree Black Belt (Renshi)
Yama Arashi
Sensei Norfleet is a parts/maintenance coordinator for Kroger Co., serving about 75 technicians and 115 stores throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area.
One of the original students from 2007, Blake enjoys unarmed classes and the Bo staff. He brings great energy and an easy-going spirit to The Dojo, and loves working with both youth and adult classes — always willing to help new students.
In 2021, he earned the warrior name Yama Arashi (Mountain Storm). He has earned the rank of Yondan, 4th Degree Black Belt.
Off the mat, Blake enjoys quality time with his wife and kids, working on cars, and painting.
Instructor
Sandan — 3rd Degree Black Belt (Bushi)
Sensei Holt is dedicated both to martial arts and education. Cole has prior training in taekwondo, earning a 1st-degree black belt, and is a Nidan (2nd-degree black belt) in our dojo.
Currently, Cole is a doctoral student at Miami University studying psychology, with aspirations to become a university professor who teaches, mentors students, and conducts research.
In the Dojo, Cole has an immense passion for ukemi (receiving arts) in all things, from rolling to receiving a hit. Cole takes great joy in teaching others how to roll and shows them that no matter your body type — you can roll. Be sure to ask Cole about rolling tips or drills you can do for home practice.
Outside the Dojo, Cole loves hiking, anime, vacationing in Oregon, and learning new things because life is a classroom itself.
Cole has earned a Sword Kihon Certificate, a Sword Shoden Certificate, a Bojutsu Kihon Certificate, and a Classical Taijutsu Kihon Certificate.
Dedicated to be there for everyone on the path ahead
Instructor / Youth Instructor
Nidan — 2nd Degree Black Belt
Mr. White is a Forecast Analyst for P&G supporting the P&G Chemicals division. He has trained at The Dojo for over 4 years.
Darryl enjoys the Katana most of all for weapons and has completed the Sword Kihon and Shoden Level certifications. He has also earned the Classical Taijutsu Kihon certificate.
He enjoys coaching the youth and helping them develop their basics and increase their skills as students.
Outside of The Dojo, Darryl enjoys computer gaming, bowling, and movies.
Instructor Trainee
Shodan — 1st Degree Black Belt
Aaron is an IT desktop support technician at Eversana. He has trained at the dojo for 4 years, and enjoys training in modern unarmed techniques and with the katana.
Aaron has earned a Sword Kihon, a Shoden Level Certification in the Sword, and a Classical Taijutsu Certificate.
He enjoys helping youth students learn and work on their techniques. Outside of The Dojo, Aaron enjoys gaming (tabletop and video), movies, music, and learning about things from Japanese culture to the historical origins of various mythological creatures.
Youth Coach
Shodan — 1st Degree Black Belt
Kathy has been the sole employee of Cobblestone Development Company and has worked with her boss for 30 years. She has trained at The Dojo for over five years.
Kathy loves training at The Dojo even though she started a little later in life than most students. She enjoys all weapons and classical Budo. She earned her Kihon in Hanbo.
Kathy loves working with the youth students. Outside of The Dojo, she enjoys hiking, interacting with her horse Dru, going on field trips with her Dad, and tending to a multitude of houseplants.
Kathy has earned the Sword Kihon Certificate, the Sword Shoden Certificate, a Modern Knife Kihon Certificate, and a Classical Taijutsu Certificate.
Meet more of our great coaches and assistants
Youth Instructor
Shodan — 1st Degree Black Belt
Cullen has been at the dojo for seven years. He likes to get to the dojo early so he can get ready for class and help out if needed, or if any of the youth have questions before class.
He enjoys being thrown in the dojo and is well known for his excellent ukemi. He is dedicated and is at the dojo nearly every day.
Outside of the dojo, Cullen enjoys tinkering around with computers, 3D printing, sword maintenance and crafting, making YouTube videos, and playing video games.
Cullen has earned both the Sword Kihon and Shoden Certificates and Advanced Ukemi Awards.
Instructor Trainee
Shodan — 1st Degree Black Belt
Jennifer is self-employed and has worked for many years as a beauty consultant for Mary Kay. She has trained at The Dojo for over 4 years.
She is looking forward to earning certifications in weapons. One of her goals is to be proficient in all weapons. Jenni loves helping people, coaching youth classes, and everything about Budo Taijutsu.
When not at The Dojo, she enjoys walking in nature, planting, entertaining, and cooking for her family and friends. She is great at coaching and encouraging dojo kids — she loves living life to the fullest and always does everything with a smile.
Jennifer has earned a Kusari Fundo Weighted Chain Basics Certificate, a Hanbo Basics Certificate, a Modern Knife Basics Certificate, a Sword Kihon and Shoden Certificate, and a Classical Taijutsu Certificate.
Youth Coach
Shodan — 1st Degree Black Belt
Rhonda has 40 years of experience in business administration. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business with a minor in Religious Studies, and has worked from home for Cengage Group, a digital textbook company, for the past 5 years.
She has been training at The Dojo since December 2019 and is determined to earn her black belt before she turns 65. Rhonda enjoys the regular training as well as the extra classes — Tenchijin Basics, Weapons, and Budo. “The camaraderie of the students is a major plus, they are like family to me.”
As a youth coach, she enjoys spending time with the children and listening to their questions and comments — it is a true joy to her.
Off the training mat, Rhonda enjoys her daily workout routine, boxing, yoga, reading, and spending time in deep conversation with her husband Dolby.