Instructor Staff

Sifu Paul Ramos with a collection of Wu Shen Tao instructors

Wu Shen Tao Instructors (left to right): Erik Dubois, Alex Zito, Sifu Stephen Genus, Evan Colton, Jerry Simpson, Guest Sifu Dante Gilmer, Eric Putney, Sifu Paul Ramos, Julian Weaver, Kenneth Chrzanowski, Kristen Fang, Joseph Dudley, Toba Adewusi, Jeff Bandy

Stephen Genus

Sifu & Senior Instructor

Stephen is accomplished in both Chen and Yang Style Tai Chi, having won numerous awards for solo and weapons forms as well as push hands competition. He holds several champion and grand champion titles in both moving and restricted step push hands.

A dedicated student of internal martial arts history and theoretical principles, Stephen has spent two decades studying, teaching, and competing in Hebei Xing-I and Liu Feng Chun Bagua Zhang. He is committed to preserving and passing the internal martial arts tradition to the next generation.

Recent Achievements:

  • July 2018: World Champion in Bagua Zhang at the International Kuoshu World Tournament, Hunt Valley, MD

  • 2018: World Runner-up in Xing-I Chuan (behind teammate Terance Nicholson)

  • Six-time US National Champion in Tai Chi Push Hands

Kenneth Chrzanowski

Instructor, Bagua & Xing-I

Kenneth has focused his nearly 20-year practice on Bagua Zhang and Xing-I Chuan. His competitive excellence includes numerous gold medal performances in forms, weapons, and push hands, leading to multiple grand championship titles.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Five-time Internal Grand Champion at the Kuoshu International Championships

  • Currently expanding his studies into deeper levels of Yang and other Tai Chi Chuan styles

Ted Curtis

Instructor, Tai Chi Chuan

Ted joined Wu Shen Tao over 20 years ago and became a 20th generation member of the Wudang Dragon Gate lineage in 2013. He has trained consistently in open-hand and weapons forms, self-defense applications, and push hands.

For over 15 years, Ted has assisted Sifu Paul in teaching Tai Chi forms and push hands. His dedication to continuous improvement exemplifies the essence of Kung Fu — demonstrating how hard work, positive attitude, and willingness to share elevate group energy and facilitate learning.

Jeff Bandy

Instructor, Shaolin Kung Fu

Jeff specializes in Northern Style Shaolin Kung Fu and is a passionate student of internal martial arts. He has taught Wu Shen Tao's Shaolin children's classes since 2015.

Training Background:

  • Black Sash in Kung Fu (2016) after nearly a decade of training under 4th-dan Sifu Terence Nicholson

  • Studies under 64th generation Tien Shan Pai Grandmaster Liu Chao Chi and 18th generation Wudang Longmen Grandmaster Liu Xiao Ling

  • Proficient in Tien Shan Pai, Tong Bei, Bajiquan, Piqua, and Six Harmony (Liu He) systems

  • Weapons expertise: short/long staffs, broad/straight swords, spear, and Quan Dao

Jeff has expanded his internal arts foundation under Sifu Ramos, studying Sun and Yang style Tai Chi, push hands, and self-defense applications. He is a top medalist in regional tournaments and has produced two YouTube documentary videos on Wu Shen Tao lineage in Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu and Internal Martial Arts.

Michael Daryabeygi

Instructor, Tai Chi

Michael assists in teaching our Tai Chi classes and serves as substitute instructor when needed. He has earned medals and recognition at local and regional tournaments for his Yang Form and Push Hands performance.

A longtime scholar of classical texts, Michael promotes well-rounded Tai Chi practice including Qigong, standing postures, and deep understanding of martial applications. After 20 years of training and evolution, he brings extensive knowledge in applications, theory, and forms. As a 20th generation Wudang Long Men Pai disciple, he is dedicated to passing these teachings to future generations.

Current Focus: Applications practice and sword play perfection

Jerry Simpson

Instructor, Tai Chi

Jerry has dedicated over 15 years to teaching Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan for Wu Shen Tao in various satellite programs throughout the Washington DC and Maryland suburban areas. He specializes in the Yang 24 posture form and its applications, continuously studying to improve his skills and preserve the Tai Chi Chuan tradition.

Other Assistant Instructors

Our talented teaching staff includes many 20th generation Wudang Long Men sect members:

Eric Putney • Julian Weaver • Alex Zito • Evan Colton • Toba Adewusi • Erik Dubois

Each instructor brings unique expertise and dedication to preserving and sharing the internal martial arts tradition.