Daniel J PoppDan began the study of Isshinryu Karate in 1982. Currently holding the rank of hachi-dan (8th degree black belt), Dan was named the 2008 Male Instructor of the Year by the International Isshinryu Hall of Fame and subsequently inducted into the Isshinyu Hall of Fame in July 2013. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Order of Isshin-Ryu, founded by Grandmaster Toby Cooling in 1971. Dan's training in martial arts also includes Modern Arnis and Kombatan. He is a student of these stick fighting arts originating in the Philippines under the direction of Grandmaster Rick Manglinong, where he currently holds the rank of Lakan Apat (4th degree black belt) in SMP Arnis. For the past twelve years, Dan has been a formal student of Chi- Ryu Jiujitsu, training directly with the founders: Grandmaster Isham Latimer, Master John Costanzo and Master John McDonald. He was elevated to sho-dan (1st degree black belt) in Chi-Ryu Jiujitsu in October 2021. In 1990, Dan began his study of Kendo under Sensei Duk Yeong Kim, progressing to the rank of yon-dan (4th degree black belt). In tandem with Kendo, Sensei Kim provided Dan instruction in the art of Shodo or Japanese calligraphy. Although his Kendo/Shodo sensei passed away in 2007, Dan continues to practice Shodo to honor his teacher. Dan's works have been exhibited at Mulberry Art Studios in Lancaster, PA and at Gallery at Second in Harrisburg, PA. Nationally his commissioned works can be found in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Virginia. His international commissions include Australia and Canada. Dan has recently started combining the traditional aspects of Shodo by introducing acrylics on larger canvases to expand the possibilities of his art. He is also branching out into abstract subjects with emphasis on building texture into his work.He is the author of four books, which can be ordered through Amazon or direct from the publisher in both print and Kindle: Sensei's Final Lessons - A Memoir, published 2012 by Outskirts Press, The Floating Brush: Learning Japanese Calligraphy from a Kendo Master, published 2014 by Kamel Press, Order of Isshin Ryu - One Family, One Dojo, published 2018 by Kamel Press, and Essence of Reflection, published in 2021 by Kamel Press.A 1994 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Professional Accountancy, Dan was employed in 1999 by the National Credit Union Administration where he still serves as a federal examiner specializing in IT audits. He holds several IT and information security audit certifications including CISA, CGEIT, and CRISC. He resides in Harrisburg, PA with his two daughters, Britteni and Kayla. Read More Read Less
