Our Instructors
Mr. Glenn Carder
Mr. Glenn Carder has been training in the martial arts since 1979. He started his martial arts journey at age 10 where he was taught boxing and Judo with Head Instructor, Mr. Massarelli in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. At age 14, he trained at the Shaolin Kenpo Dojo under 8th Degree Black Belt, Mr. Eugene Gaudreau in Nashua, NH where he earned the rank of Apprentice. He continued his training in Chinese Kenpo under the instruction of 8th Degree Black Belt, Vic Nastasia, where he earned the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in 1990.
In the early 90’s, he competed on the National Tournament Circuit, where he took 2nd place and was recognized nationally by the North American Sport Karate Association. During that time, Mr. Carder was training in Ju-jitsu, En Shu Do, Ed Parker Kempo, and Bushido. In January 2005, Mr. Carder earned his second 1st Degree Black Belt in Shorinji Kempo Karate under the direction of 7th Degree Black Belt, Mr. Hardley Soryz at the Martial Arts Training Institute in Harrisburg NC. He earned the rank of 2nd Degree in October 2006 and a few years later, 3rd Degree in April 2010. Also in April 2010, Mr. Carder earned a 1st Degree Black Belt in Shorinji Kobudo Cane.
In July 2015, Mr. Carder broadened his knowledge in the martial arts and became a Certified Instructor in Tai Chi/ Qigong (a discipline directly related to Tai Chi) with Dayan Arts. In August 2017, he was inducted into the American Martial Arts Alliance (AMAA) Who’s Who in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. In April 2018, Mr. Carder expanded his knowledge of Tai Chi/ Qigong by training in China with Grandmaster Chen and Sifu Shane Lear.
In May 2021, he expanded his weapon knowledge by earning a 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Nunchaku and in December 2021 earned a Certificate of Completion in Kobudo Bo/ staff . He was promoted to Chief Master Instructor in November 2021. In December 2022, he was awarded a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under Professor Paulo Mushu Elsimaani. Mr. Carder is currently a 7th degree Black Belt, awarded October 2022.
Mr. Carder has trained thousands of children at Charlotte area public/ private/ charter schools. He is the owner and operator of numerous clubs with over 500 active students (children and adults). Mr. Carder also teaches Co-ed Personal Protection and Women’s Self-Defense Clinics at local, private, college, and corporate venues.
Mr. Dave Skolarus
Mr. Dave Skolarus, a retired Air Force Major, had a 46 year flying career in both the US Army and the Air Force, finishing his career flying high profile charters for NetJets. He has a broad instructor background teaching military and civilian commercial pilots and teaching and mentoring high school students in one of our poorest NC counties. Mr. Skolarus has studied under Mr. Glenn Carder since 2015 and has achieved a 1st Degree Black Belt in Shorinji Kempo Karate. In March 2018, after much training, he broadened his knowledge and became a Certified Instructor in Tai Chi/ Qigong with Dayan Arts. He earned his 2nd degree Black Belt in October 2020. He was one of the Weapons Program students training in Nunchaku, Bo/staff and successfully earned a 1st degree in Kobudo Nunchaku May 2021 and Certificate of Completion in Bo/ staff December 2021. He also received his 3rd degree Black Belt and 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane, April 2023. He is the Program Director/ Certified Instructor for MATI Clubs LLC. October 2023, he qualified and was promoted to Chief Instructor and 4th degree Black Belt.
Mr. Jay Myers
Mr. Jay Myers is a United States Marine Corps veteran and earned the rank of Sergeant. It was in the Marine Corps where he learned hand-to-hand combat techniques representing various martial arts styles. Following his service, Mr. Myers continued his training by studying Ed Parker Kenpo. In February of 2015, he began studying under Mr. Glenn Carder of MATI Clubs. In October 2017, he earned his 1st degree Black Belt in Shorinji Kempo Karate. He continued his training and was awarded his 2nd degree Black Belt and elevated to Certified Instructor in October 2019. After much training, Mr. Myers earned his 3rd degree Black Belt and 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane November 2021. Professionally, Mr. Myers is a Captain for the Charlotte Fire Department with over 20 years of service.
Mr. Derrick Edwards
Mr. Derrick Edwards is a Site Development Manager for Ericsson and has a successful career for over 20 years building wireless networks across the United States. He also owns a successful Bail Bonds Company in Charlotte NC for over 10 yrs. Derrick made a promise that once his son Garrett achieved his 1st degree Black Belt, he would start karate with Mr. Carder. After much work and dedication, Mr. Edwards earned his 1st degree Black Belt in October 2017 and his 2nd degree Black Belt in April 2019. He was promoted to a MATI Clubs staff member in January 2019. In May 2021, he successfully tested for his 3rd degree Black Belt AS WELL AS a 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane AND Kobudo Nunchaku. In September 2021, Mr. Edwards opened at MATI Clubs @ Anson Co school location in his town with much success! In November 2021, he was promoted to Chief Instructor. He continues his training and received a certificate of completion in Kobudo Bo/staff Dec 2021. After lots of hard work, growing the Anson location, buying a building for the school, teaching many of the classes while working his full-time professional management job, he was promoted to 4th degree Black Belt October 2022. He earned and was promoted to Master Instructor, 5th degree Black Belt October 2024. One fun fact about Mr. Edwards is that he is a North Carolina native. He graduated from Independence High School and currently lives in Wadesboro NC.
Mr. Eric Clark
Eric Clark started his karate training at the age of 6 in 2009 under Chief Master Instructor Glenn Carder at the BCCA Karate Club location. On October 18, 2014, Mr. Clark earned his 1st degree Black Belt. He continued his training with Mr. Carder, and after much training earned his 2nd degree Black Belt in April 2018, and his 3rd degree Black Belt in October 2019. He also received a 1st degree in Kobudo Cane in October 2019. While training, Mr. Clark also taught as a Lead Instructor for Mr. Carder at the NOMAD Karate Club location (now MATI Clubs @ Evolution). In January of 2021, Mr. Clark received his Eagle Scout, and he graduated from Back Creek Christian Academy in the same year. Currently, Mr. Clark is enrolled at the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In November 2021, he was promoted to Chief Instructor and is the Lead Instructor at three of the MATI Clubs locations. In October 2022, he qualified and was promoted to 4th degree Black Belt.
Professor Paulo Elsimaani
Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani is a 6th degree Black Belt and World Champion in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ). He is the Head BJJ Professor/ Coach at CheckMat North Carolina. He started BJJ at 16 years old under Professor Rillion Gracie. Soon after Mushu moved to Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and began training with one of the Grandmasters, Carlson Gracie’s Black Belts, Fernando Pinduka. After many years of training and competing, he was rewarded with his Brown Belt and relocated to New York with his family. He continued his training with Roni Cardosa, an Alliance Black Belt under Fabio Gurgel. In 1999, he became a Certified BJJ Black Belt under Jacare Cavalcanti.
Objective/ Passion:
“To teach all of my students to become a good person, gain positive energy, build personal development, learn self-defense, and have an overall good life.”
“For my adults to enjoy learning this BJJ art form/ lifestyle and for the children to learn/ gain focus, discipline and respect for others.”
“Family and friendship are everything…we want to cultivate that type of atmosphere on the mat.”
Mr. Mateo Carder
Mr. Mateo Carder is the youngest of Mr. Carder’s four children. He started his training at the age of 3 years old under his dad’s instruction. He successfully earned his 1st degree Black Belt in 2016 and in 2018, after much training received his 2nd degree Black Belt. In May 2021, he received his 3rd degree Black Belt and a 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane. He continues his training in Shorinji Kempo karate as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under Professor Paulo Mushu Elsimaani where he earned his Blue Belt in BJJ, June 2022. He is a staff member at MATI Clubs @ Evolution and assists in teaching the children, adults, and Black Belt students on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He is currently a senior at West Cabarrus High school. He is in the Academy of Aviation and Aerospace at the school and hopefully looking into a career in aviation. He got promoted to Instructor in 2021, Certified Instructor in October 2022. In October 2023, he qualified and was promoted to 4th degree Black Belt. In October 2024, he earned and was promoted to Chief Instructor of the Evolution location.
Dr. (Rup) Misra
Dr. Swarup (Rup) Misra has been a MATI Clubs student since 2018. He earned his 1st degree Black Belt in October 2020 and after much training, achieved 2nd degree Black Belt in Nov 2021. He was promoted to Instructor in November 2021. Dr. Misra successfully earned his 3rd degree Black Belt and 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane October 2022. Also in October 2022, he was promoted to Certified Instructor. He is currently training for his 4th degree Black Belt. Dr. Misra is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who has been working in the Charlotte area for over a decade. He has special interests in self-defense grappling/ hand to hand combat training. He has two children in the MATI Clubs program, Selena (who achieved 1st degree Black Belt in Nov 2021!!) and Neil (a future Black Belt!).
Mr. Chris Strout
Mr. Chris Strout is a Senior Vice President at Bank of America and has been a MATI Instructor since November 2021. Chris began his martial arts journey in 2014 and earned his Shodan (1st Degree) Black Belt in traditional Okinawan karate in 2018. He began studying with Mr. Carder/ MATI Clubs the same year, earning his 1st Degree Black Belt in 2020 and 2nd Degree in 2021. After much work, he successfully earned his 3rd degree Black Belt and 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane October 2022. Also in October 2022, he was promoted to Certified Instructor. He is currently training for his 4th degree Black Belt. Chris has two sons in the program: Daniel and Ethan, both 1st Degree Black Belts. Mr. Strout is Lead Instructor of the Black Belt class on Monday evenings.
Mr. Garrett Edwards
Garrett Edwards started with Mr. Carder the summer of 2011 at the MATI Clubs @ BCCA location. In April 2015, Garrett earned his 1st degree Black Belt and after much training earned his 2nd degree Black Belt in April 2018. In early 2019, Garrett joined the Black Belt only weapons program. In May 2021, Garrett earned a 3rd degree Black Belt as well as a Black Belt in Kobudo Cane and Kobudo Nunchaku. In early September 2021, Garrett and Derrick Edwards opened MATI Clubs @ Anson County. He still trains under Mr. Carder, and in November 2021 Garrett was promoted to Instructor. He continues his training and received a certificate of completion in Kobudo Bo/staff Dec 2021. After lots of hard work, running the operation with his father as well as teaching most of the classes at the Anson location, he was promoted to Certified Instructor/ 4th degree Black Belt October 2022. In October 2023, he qualified and was promoted to Chief Instructor. Garrett is a high school student and has been homeschooling since the 2nd grade. He plans on being an entrepreneur in the future.
Mr. Mason Tortorelli
Mr. Mason Tortorelli started karate in the late summer of 2015 at 9 years old. He earned his 1st degree Black Belt in October 2018 and earned his 2nd degree Black Belt in April 2022. He was promoted to a MATI Clubs staff member in 2019 and was promoted to Certified Instructor in November 2021. He earned his 3rd degree Black Belt October 2023 and a 1 st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane at the same time. Mr. Tortorelli co-leads classes on Thursdays and assists on Saturdays. His two biggest passions are martial arts and music. He is currently attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is majoring in Music Performance.
Mr. Dalton Anderson
Dalton Anderson has been with Mr.Carder and MATI Clubs for over 10 years and has grown to be an incredible staff member. He was promoted to Instructor in November 2021. Mr. Anderson earned his 3rd degree Black Belt, a 1st degree in Kobudo Cane as well as a 1st degree in Kobudo Nunchaku May 2021. He earned a certificate of completion in Kobudo Bo/ staff December 2021. In October 2022, he was promoted to Certified Instructor. He is currently training for his 4th degree Black Belt.
Fun fact about Mr. Anderson. He has raced dirt bikes and mountain bikes for over 6 years across the east coast winning many competitions and titles. He intends to grow more in that industry. He plans to one day own a dojo with MATI Clubs and grow to become a well-rounded Chief Instructor.
Ms. Melissa Green
Melissa Green began her martial arts journey in October 2020. After much training and hard work, she earned her 1st degree Black Belt in April 2022. Soon after that, she was offered a staff position with MATI Clubs. She is currently working towards her 2nd degree Black Belt with an expected April 2024 completion. Mrs. Green is a Club/ Certified Instructor and the Lead Instructor at three of the MATI Clubs locations. She also assists with teaching the weekly classes and summer camps at the Evolution location .
Mrs. Green is a NC certified teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience. Her daughter is also a Jr. Black Belt with MATI Clubs. When she is not teaching karate, she enjoys hiking in the mountains and spending time with her family and friends.
Mr. Hunter Kallaur
Mr. Hunter Kallaur started his martial arts journey in fall of 2015. He earned his 1st degree black belt in April 2018. Since then he was promoted to 3rd degree black belt and earned his Certified Instructor ranking. He is also a part of the first class of 3rd degree black belts who will graduate to 4th degree with MATI clubs. He is very passionate about martial arts and trains Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under Paulo Mushu with Checkmat. He has earned medals in several local competitions and continues to broaden his knowledge of different styles of martial arts. He is currently 16 years old and an honor student at cox mill highschool.
Mr. Adhvay Prasanth
Adhvay Prasanth has been a Black Belt in Karate since October 2020 and started his karate journey in 2017. He has been working at MATI Clubs since 2021. He is an aspiring mechanical engineer and hopes to continue his career goals at NC State University. He is a big car enthusiast and hopes to pursue his passion as more than just a hobby. He is currently enrolled in the 4 th degree program and plans to test for this rank Summer of 2025. He will also earn his Blue belt in BJJ at the same time. He is currently a 3 rd degree Black Belt Certified Instructor.
Mr. Nathan Collins
Nathan Collins has been with MATI Clubs for 8 years, testing for his black belt in October of 2020 and his 2nd degree in October of 2022 when he also became a MATI Clubs staff member. He later went on to earn his 3rd degree black belt and his 1st degree black belt in Kabudo Cane in October of 2023. After having trained under Professor Paulo Mushu, he also received his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in January of 2024. He was awarded the rank of Certified Instructor in October of 2024. Currently he is a senior in high school at Corvian Community School and plans to go to college to study engineering after graduating.
Mr. Ethan Atkinson
Ethan Atkinson began martial arts in the fall of 2015. In April 2018, he earned his 1st degree black belt. He earned his 2nd degree black belt in May 2021. He began training towards his 3rd degree black belt and 1st degree black belt in Kabudo Cane, which he earned in April of 2022. In August 2022, he began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training under Professor Paulo Mushu. In the Fall of 2022, he became a staff member and began training toward his 4th degree black belt. In June of 2024, he earned his 4th degree black belt in karate and blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In October of 2024, he was promoted to Certified Instructor. He is currently a junior at Jay M. Robinson High School, taking engineering and robotics classes, since he plans to go to college to become an engineer.
Ms. Prakruthi Upadhya
Prakruthi Upadhya started her karate journey at the start of third grade. She earned her Third Degree Black Belt in October 2023 and has been a part of Mati Clubs Staff since 2022. She was promoted to Certified Instructor, October 2024. Prakruthi is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is studying Architecture. She is also a part of the Arts and Architecture Honors Program.
Ms. Pramithi Upadhya
Pramithi Upadhya began her karate journey with MATI Clubs in kindergarten. She joined the MATI Clubs staff team in 2022 and earned her 3rd-degree black belt in 2023. She is currently a Certified Instructor. In addition to martial arts, she runs track and cross country and volunteers at an animal shelter in her spare time.
Ms. Isabella Borruso
Ms. Isabella Borruso is a Second-degree Black Belt who has been with MATI Clubs as a student since 2019. She joined the MATI Clubs Staff in October 2022 after receiving her first-degree Black Belt earlier that year. In October 2024 she earned the rank of Certified Instructor. She is projected to test for her third- degree black belt in April 2025. Currently, she is a senior at the Early College of Technology and is planning on studying meteorology during college.
Mr. Navin Babu
Navin Babu started his training in June 2013, and earned his 1st degree Black Belt in October 2019. He would continue training and eventually earn his second and third degree in October of 2022 and 2023 respectively. Promoted to Certified Instructor in October 2024, Navin intends to expand his achievements in Karate. Navin is now continuing his training, pursuing fourth degree along with him working towards becoming an Eagle Scout with Troop 10 BSA.
Mr. Will Fliegauf
Will Fliegauf started with MATI Clubs in 2013. Will earned his 1 st degree Black Belt October 2017. He continued his training and was promoted to 2 nd degree October 2020, and 3 rd degree in April 2022. In June 2024, he successfully tested for his 4 th degree Black Belt and Blue belt in BJJ with Professor Paulo Mushu. He is on Staff with MATI Clubs. In October 2024 he was promoted to Certified Instructor. Will enjoys running and weightlifting and martial arts is a very important part of his life. He attends Cox Mill High School and plans to study Computer Science after high school.