Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Kenpo and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and on-going instruction, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

David DeCarlucci (Blue Belt)
Mr. DeCarlucci is an extremely talented and sought after exercise physiologist trained at both Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh. He has been working in wellness and rehabilitation for over 11 years.

His passions for health and fitness led him to PKA in 1999 and he now has yet another true passion in the martial arts and Kenpo within the LTKKA which is unlike anything being done, especially in Pittsburgh.

Mr. DeCarlucci hopes to continue to train, remain a student, improve, and share with others for years to come. You may see him running in the South Hills because that is his main form of transportation to work and sometimes to PKA.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.

Khom Long (Green Belt)
Ms. Long began her training at PKA a little over three years ago. Infact, her two children, were training for almost a year before she decided to get off the chairs and “give Kenpo a try.”

Of course, the rest is history.

Ms. Long is now helping out by teaching in many classes.

She is also a very valuable asset with her professional skills as a manager/trainer for a major corporation outside of PKA in meeting and talking with all of our students, parents and children at the school.

She is very focused and goal oriented when on the mat, whether it’s dealing with her children’s goals, her personal goals or helping others achieve their goals.

When not training, Ms. Long loves spending time doing just about anything with her children, especially at the library, just reading in general, time at the park, cooking and shopping at the specialty food shops at the strip district downtown.

Michelle Muller (Purple Belt)
Mrs. Michelle began her martial arts training in the summer of 2006 as a kickboxing student at PKA. Thirsting for more knowledge and skill, she “began her Kenpo adventure” the first day of 2008. She has taken her training to the next level by becoming an assistant instructor with Mr. Metz in his classes, and quickly found that she learns just as much from the students as she teaches.

Mrs. Michelle graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in sociology, a AS in Biology, and a minor in History. Currently she works as a Marketing Specialist for a local curriculum publisher in Pittsburgh.

When not learning, teaching, or studying Kenpo, Mrs. Michelle is hunting, fishing, camping, or doing something outdoors. When not outdoors, she is fulfilling her passion of cooking something good in the kitchen.

Carl Rychcik (3rd Degree Brown)
Mr. R first began studying martial arts at PKA in the mid 80s. After a long hiatus, he returned to the PKA family in 2004 to continue his training. He has an insatiable quest for knowledge and constantly strives to learn and improve his Kenpo. He has recently taken his training to the next level and now enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of martial arts with others as an instructor. Mr. R. is a true giver and fantastic role-model for students of all ages and ranks.

Mr. R graduated with honors from Penn State University where he received a BA in economics. He then obtained his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He currently spends the majority of his waking hours practicing law in the Pittsburgh office of a large national law firm where he specializes in business litigation.

When he is not doing Kenpo or fighting with other lawyers, Mr. R enjoys running, reading and watching DVDs. His favorite pastime, though, is spending time with his wife and two children, whom he considers to be his two greatest accomplishments in life.

The PKA family is excited and honored to have Mr. R. as part of the CORE Leadership Team.

For more information about the PKA Karate Academy staff or training programs, please contact us at (412) 531-4411