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. 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 Kubodo Cane AND Kubodo 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. 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 student 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 and is looking forward to enhancing his martial arts education further. In October 2023, he qualified and was promoted to 4th degree Black Belt.

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 Instructor in November 2021. In October 2023, he was promoted to Certified Instructor. He also earned his 3rd degree Black Belt and a 1st degree Black Belt in Kobudo Cane. Mr. Tortorelli leads classes on Wednesdays and assists on Saturdays. His two biggest passions are martial arts and music. He is currently a high school student and plans on becoming a professional classical musician (Flutist).

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.