United States Karate Academy

About the Instructors

Miguel Serrano: 7th Dan

Director and Founder

Welcome to the United States Karate Academy! My name is Miguel Serrano, and I am the Director and Founder of our dojo. It is my pleasure to welcome you to both our website and our training community. With over 35 years of experience working with families like yours, I’m proud to say that our academy has been featured in national magazines, websites, and local publications, all while maintaining our commitment to excellence.

As a member of the Okinawa Karate-Do Goju-Ryu Shobukan, the Zen Okinawa Kobudo Renmei, and the USA National Karate-Do Federation, we are dedicated to providing top-quality martial arts instruction here in Colorado Springs. But what am I most proud of? It’s simple: my family, my students, my church, and the chance to give back to the community that has given me so much. After more than 50 years of training, I am excited to share my knowledge and passion with as many people as possible. That is the true spirit of martial arts.,

-Miguel Serrano

Meet Our Instructors

Kate Serrano - 4th Dan

Hi, my name is Kate and I have been training since 1995. I was a member of the original and first United States Karate Academy dojo. I started teaching the Knee-High Samurai program (ages 4-8). I found that very rewarding to teach, guide and inspire these young kids. Little did I know that it would help me as I raised my own twins. Over the years I have had the privilege of training our students in our community, coaching our team to National and International championships and helping many of our students train for and test for the rank of Black Belt.

Susan Seldomridge - 4th Dan

I have been in the martial arts for nearly 31 years, starting in California. When my 2 younger boys wanted to do karate, it seemed like a very rare and foreign activity to us. But in 1989 after watching my boys in 2 classes, I realized I didn’t want to sit on the side-lines. I wanted to get up and do class with my boys and enjoy the fitness aspect. And I had always wanted to learn self-defense for personal protection. What I didn’t know was that I would absolutely love the karate training. I had the privilege of meeting Sensei Serrano in 1992 and soon realized that his karate was authentic, historic, traditional and real. But most of all I saw a sensei who lived and loved his karate. In 1997, I was finally able to train with him at his dojo.

Irene Okuyama Andreassen - 4th Dan

My name is Irene Okuyama Andreassen and I am the senior instructor and trainer with the United States Karate Academy. In the last 20 years with USKA I have taught 100s of children, teens, and adults martial arts and fitness. With our program, people of all ages became more confident, disciplined, more active, and able to lead a healthier lifestyle overall. My goal is to reach out to more people in the community and help them reach their goals whether confidence, self-defense skills, lose weight, or live a healthy lifestyle.

Jennie Tate - 2nd Dan

Hi, my name is Jennie Tate. I started training in the martial arts with my father as a child and continued training with him until his passing when I was 13 years old. We moved to Colorado Springs in early 2007 when my husband was re-assigned to Peterson Air Force base. I realized that after all the years of traveling, that I was missing a vital part of my life... the martial arts. After an extensive search of Dojo’s, fate took me to the United States Karate Academy. With great fear, I scheduled my first class and dug down deep to find the courage to go. Once I walked through the Dojo doors, my life was forever changed. I knew I had come home.

Welcome to the United States Karate Academy!

Hi, I'm Miguel Serrano, Founder and Director, and it's my pleasure to introduce you to our award-winning, nationally recognized martial arts school. Since 1984, we’ve proudly served the Colorado Springs community, offering top-tier karate instruction with a focus on tradition, discipline, and personal growth. With three convenient locations, we continue to make a positive impact on students of all ages.

Over the last 35+ years, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless families just like yours. Our dojo has been featured in national magazines, websites, and local media. As a member of the USA National Karate-Do Federation, our commitment is to deliver the highest quality martial arts training. But beyond that, what am I most proud of? It’s simple: my family, my students, my church, and the chance to give back to this incredible community that has given me so much.

At the United States Karate Academy, we are dedicated to helping our students achieve their best. Earning a Black Belt here isn’t just about mastering techniques—it’s about personal growth, perseverance, and progress, both inside the dojo and in everyday life.

Our students not only increase their physical fitness, but they also develop confidence, discipline, and focus through our traditional martial arts training. These qualities translate into improved performance at work, in school, and at home.

Our team of highly skilled Black Belt Instructors is committed to being a positive influence on your journey. We aim to provide you with high-quality instruction in a safe, supportive, and motivating environment. Our innovative teaching methods and step-by-step curriculum are designed to help you learn effectively and at your own pace.

Through your training, you’ll master a variety of blocks, strikes, and self-defense techniques that will boost your confidence and fitness. Remember, “A Black Belt was Once a White Belt Who Never Quit.” Stay focused, don’t give up, and you too can reach your goals—on and off the mat.

I’m grateful for the incredible team that makes all of this possible. A special thanks to our dedicated instructors who help bring our mission to life every day.

Thank you for being a part of the United States Karate Academy family.

Sincerely,

Miguel Serrano

Chief Instructor

Director and Founder

More About The United States Karate Academy

Our Mission

At the United States Karate Academy, our mission is to empower students to achieve success in all areas of life. We teach Martial Arts as a holistic discipline—nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Beyond developing self-defense skills, our curriculum fosters high personal standards, mutual respect, and the values needed to become positive, respected, and contributing members of society.

Our Commitment to You

Since 1983, the United States Karate Academy has been transforming lives through the practice of Karate and Martial Arts across Colorado. Our goal is to enhance self-esteem and build strong character by instilling self-confidence, discipline, and respect for others, all while teaching practical, effective self-defense techniques. Parents, family members, and educators consistently praise the impact we have on our students' performance, self-esteem, and overall attitude.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our unique approach to Karate, we invite you to take advantage of our Online Web Special. Experience firsthand the life-changing benefits of our focus on character development and leadership through martial arts. Start your journey with us today!

"Ten Point Success System"

The United States Karate Academy's "Ten Point Success System"

1. Positive Role Models: The biggest asset of the United States Karate Academy?" Easy! The teachers! Now, I'll tell you up front. They are not like the teachers you've seen in the Martial Art movies. Are they "tough guys?" Yes. But what you will notice (and so will your child) is that they are "Nice Guys." They have been hand selected not just because they are great Martial Artists. They have been chosen because they are wonderful people and have a great love of helping others benefit from the Martial Arts! All of our teachers were once students at the United States Karate Academy themselves. They care about each student individually - and are totally committed to helping your child reach his or her potential.

2. Physical Fitness: It's hard to feel good about yourself when you are out of shape physically or when your athletic skills have not been fully developed. Our belief is that, regardless of how athletic somebody seems to be there is an athlete inside all of us. When a student feels their physical skills skyrocket it's not long before their self-image follows suit!

3. A High Energy, Exciting Environment: Many kids have grown accustomed to virtual activities (video games, television, and internet). Participating in an exciting, high energy environment, focused on an actual activity, will give your child a very real sense of achievement!

4. Regular Incentives for Effort and Achievement: The belt system of Martial Arts (your child will earn a new belt every three months: white, yellow, gold, orange, blue, purple, green, etc.), regular positive feedback and recognition of accomplishment, incentives for improvement, applause, smiles, and high-fives will systematically lead your child into the "Yes, I Can!" attitude you've always wanted for him or her.

5. The "Message of the Week": Regular exposure, through our "Message of the Week," to systematic instruction, accompanied by exercises in the lessons of respect, discipline, focus, persistence, courage, discipline and confidence. (Most of the "United States Karate Academy" parents name this as their favorite part of the program!)

6. A Proven System of Skill Development: No fancy theories or hard to understand concepts here. Instructor Okuyama, Instructor Seldomridge, Instructor Melissa and the rest of our teachers are experts in teaching the actual SKILLS of listening and focus. Hint: We'll be teaching these to your child in the very first week!

7. A Series of Positively Constructed Challenges that will build your child's confidence. You will be delighted as you see your children confidently move outside their comfort zone. As the weeks go by, you will smile with pride as your son or daughter moves from challenge to challenge their confidence soaring at each new accomplishment!

8. An Atmosphere of Respect: You watch with satisfaction as your children learn to give respect and to earn respect. Most importantly, they learn the essential lessons of Self-Respect!

9. Order and Structure: Even though the atmosphere is friendly and supportive, Karate is not "play time." You will be delighted to see how your children develop focus and persistence in our orderly, structured environment.

10. A Friendship Based Environment: If you are expecting the old, harsh, authoritarian, military style Martial Art training you are going to be sadly disappointed. When you visit us, you will find a friendly, supportive environment. Some of the teachers and long time students have been friends for decades. That atmosphere of friendship, support, and respect will give your child the support he or she needs to succeed!

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info@uskadojo.com

719-388-2020

Three locations in

Colorado Springs, CO