Bill Conley's School of Karate - About Us

 

Bill Conley, Shihan

6th Dan/Shihan Shorin Kenpo, 3rd Dan Isshin Ryu, & 1st Dan Chito
Ryu Karate Systems along with: 4th Dan/Renshi in Aikido & Advanced First
Rank Teacher’s Certification in Fu Lin Chi Kenpo & Jeet Kune Do concepts
aka Shihan C
Commanding Chief Instructor - St Stephen, St Andrews, & Eastport Dojos
Chief of Karate Operations, New Brunswick KO

Personal History

Sensei Bill Conley first began the study of martial arts in October 1978 in Chito Ryu Karate.
Received the rank of 1st Dan in Chito Ryu Karate from founder and Supreme Master Tsuyoshi Chitose, 10th Dan, in September 1982 on his visit to Canada.
Began training with Master Randy Ferguson, Kenpo Karate and Kung Fu Academy/Fu Lin Chi of Saint John, NB, 1981-1983, attaining an Advanced 1st Rank Teacher’s certification in Fu Lin Chi & Jeet Kune Do concepts.
Started formal training in Isshin Ryu Karate in January 1986 with an honorary rank of 1st Dan.
Received the formal rank of 1st Dan in Isshin Ryu Karate in April 1986.
Received the rank of 2nd Dan in Isshin Ryu Karate in January 1988.
Received the rank of 3rd Dan in Isshin Ryu Karate in August 1993.
Graduate of the Reserve Law Enforcement Officer’s Course at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, ME in May 2003.
Opened the IDS Martial Arts Academy on 107B Milltown Blvd. in St Stephen, NB in April 2004.
Upon the invitation of Hanshi Fusei Kise (10th Dan Kenshin Kan Shorin ryu & Shorinji Ryu, and 9th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate) in June 2005, became a member of the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Matsumura-Seito Karate and Kobudo Federation in September 2005 with the recognized rank of 3rd Dan. Under the direction of Sensei Stan Wilbur, then 5th Dan.
Formed the New Brunswick Karate Dojos Association in October 2005.
Opened the Black’s Harbour, NB Dojo in November 2005 under the command and control of Sensei Jay La King, no longer active. (Now closed)
Moved the St Stephen operation from the downtown location to the Milltown United Church Hall in September 2006.
Hanshi Fusei Kise, during his visit to Bar Harbor, Maine September 22 & 23, 2006, tested and promoted Bill Conley to Renshi with the rank of 4th Dan. Also present was his son Kaicho Isao Kise.
New Brunswick Karate Dojos left OSMKKF formally in January 2007 to become affiliated with the Okinawan Budokai, under Eihachi Ota Sensei, 9th Dan. At that time Ota Sensei formally recognized Renshi Conley’s rank (4th Dan) and that of his yudansha (Black Belts) and did so through a formal letter addressed to the National Karate Association of Canada.
New Brunswick Karate Dojos in April 2008 became New Brunswick KO (Karate of Okinawa). Teaching Shorin Kenpo Karate, utilizing the full array of training experience of Renshi Conley with: baseline training in Matsumura Shorin, Matsubayashi Shorin, and Isshin Ryu Karate, Kenpo Speed Hitting, along with supplemental Kobudo/weapons training.
St Stephen Dojo moved to the Milltown Elementary School Gym in September 2008.
Opened the St Andrews Dojo at the Vincent Massey Elementary School Gymnasium in September 2010.
Upon the review of the testing board, April 9, 2011 in Windsor, Ontario, under the direction of Hanshi Art Mason, 8th Dan, it was recommended that Bill Conley, being considered for 5th Dan, be elevated to 6th Dan/Shihan. A reflection of his over 30 years in the martial arts.
Part time law enforcement officer with the Calais Police Department in Calais, Maine.
First Aid Certified with Emergency Medical Services of Maine.
Morning announcer at Classic Hits WQDY/WALZ and Program Operations Manager for all of WQDY Inc's radio chain: WQDY, WALZ, and WCRQ FM's in Calais, Maine.
Also holds the rank of 4th Dan/Renshi in Aikido.

Patrick Shannon, *Sempai (Sensei on the Dojo Deck)

1st Dan Shorin Kenpo Karate
Second in command - St Stephen, St Andrews, & Eastport Dojos

Began Karate training under Sensei Conley in April 2004.
The youngest to receive full certified 1st Dan in Shorin Kenpo Karate from Sensei Conley (then 14yrs old Apr ‘09).
Competitor and champion competitor fighter in all levels and styles of open Karate tournaments, on regional, national, North American, and world arenas. Also, successful Kata/forms competitor.
Sensei Conley’s second in command and highly valued instructor in the St Stephen & St Andrews chain.
*All Black Belts in the Dojo (on the Deck) are referred to as, “Sensei.” It is not until 2nd Dan that the title of, “Sensei,” is formally granted.

NBKO Affiliate Dojos

Bill Adams, Sensei

3rd Dan Shorin Kenpo & 1st Dan Chito Ryu Karate Systems along with a Brown Belt in Aikido
Commanding Chief Instructor - McAdam Dojo
“I come to you with only Karate, Empty Hands. I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong, then here are my weapons, Karate, my Empty Hands.” - Master Kenpo Stylist Ed Parker (adopted as the McAdam Dojo Code)

Personal History

Sensei Bill Adams first began the study of martial arts in September 1983 in Chito Ryu Karate.
Promoted to 1st Dan in Chito Ryu by Sensei Shane Higashi, 7th Dan/Kyoshi in June 1989 in Saint John, NB.
September 2000, began training in Aikido under Sensei Conley.
Received his Brown Belt promotion in Aikido from Sensei Conley in May 2004.
Promoted to 2nd Dan in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu by Sensei Stan Wilbur, 6th Dan/Kyoshi on April 13, 2006 in East Machias, Maine.
Opened the McAdam, NB Dojo in January 2007 at the McAdam Elementary School Gymnasium.
Promoted to 3rd Dan/Tashi on April 17, 2009 by a testing board made up of: Bill Conley, 4th Dan/Renshi, Rachelle Smith 4th Dan/Renshi, and Glen Kennedy, EMSSD Dojo Cho in Veazie, Maine.
Third generation railroad operator, NB Southern Railroad.