Print this pageScranton Martial Arts Center Instructors
Sigung PJ Zippittelli
Scranton Martial Arts Center Headmaster and Lead Instructor
Sigung (Master) PJ Zippittelli started examining fighting styles such as American Boxing and Kick Boxing at the age of 12 and began his martial arts career with the study of Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu and Bai Lung Kung Fu (White Dragon Kung Fu) at the age of 14. PJ's first teacher recognized early on that young PJ had a growing passion for the Chinese martial arts. PJ was so intrigued by the Chinese arts he put the vast majority of his time into training and practicing all that he learned. Throughout his teenage years he often practiced for several hours a day, five to six days a week. Young PJ often got into trouble for dedicating so much time to his martial arts training and neglecting his other childhood responsibilities. Young PJ had a great thirst for knowledge and would examine any information that would aid him in the development of his martial arts skills. Unknown to his parents, young PJ often traveled secretly by bus into New York City, Boston, Washington DC, and other cities to attend seminars, clinics and demonstrations on various systems, styles and methods of the martial arts. Over the years he has gained extensive experience and knowledge in the study of several martial arts styles, systems, and methods such as Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Southern Shaolin Kung Fu along with Bai Lung Chuan Fa (Pai Lum Tao), Hung Gar Kung Fu, White Lotus Kenpo Karate, MiZong Quan, Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Northern Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Five Formed Fist Shaolin Kung Fu and Modern Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan just to name a few. Mr. Zippittelli also has experience in judo, several forms of karate, as well as ninjutsu.
In late 1998 PJ left his first teacher for personal reasons, and in 1999 chanced upon training under Sigung Brian Felter at the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Scranton. Sigung Felter soon took to his new student and PJ quickly became one of only a few full time students to train at the Academy. PJ would continue his lengthy dedication to the practice of the arts taking multiple classes six days a week and dedicating a minimum of four hours each day just to the practice of all that he had learned. Before PJ was given a belt rank within structure of the Academy, Sigung Felter realized the dedication to training and the understanding of the arts that PJ had and gave him the responsibility of teaching several classes a week. After learning some of the fine points of Sigung Felter's curriculum, PJ earned his teaching certification from Sigung Felter, thus granting him the title of Sifu. In 2004 the history and lineage of the Chinese Martial Arts Academy was passed on to PJ when Sigung Felter retired from teaching and left ownership of the school to his disciple. PJ has had the honor of training under and being in presence of many legitimate masters and grandmasters some of which are Grandmaster David J Everett, Grandmaster Lin Chih-Young, Grandmaster Dr. Maung Gyi, Master Miles H. Grody, and Master Brian Felter.
PJ has had an accomplished career in the martial arts. Over the past 17 years he has enjoyed the pleasure of taking part in many martial arts demonstrations and charity events. He has hosted several defensive tactics clinics in NEPA for law enforcement, as well as designed and instructed specialized self defense classes for women and children. PJ has had the opportunity to travel and teach his knowledge as well as to travel and learn from others. While his heart and expertise lies in the "real world" hand-to-hand combat applications of the traditional martial arts, PJ is an accomplished sport and/or tournament competitor as well. He competed in all facets of martial arts competitions ranging from forms demonstration to full contact fighting. He has received gold, silver, and bronze medal rankings in advanced level competition in the Keystone State Games as well as many other 1st place standings in several annual state and interstate competitions spanning over many years. Though retired from competitions he still enjoys using his experience to train and prepare students who are interested in sport martial arts for many different exhibitions. Sigung PJ was the Lead Instructor and Headmaster of the Scranton Martial Arts Center LLC at its location at 319 N Main Ave 2nd Floor in Scranton. He is the owner and is the legitimate heir to the longest running Chinese martial arts school in the history of the Scranton area, the Chinese Martial Arts Academy. He was the co-founder of AR Security Concepts a private security firm that handled personal and business related security issues. PJ has served as personal protection and body guard for many private citizens in the Northeast, as a bail enforcement agent, bouncer, as well as a law enforcement and military personnel trainer and is currently the only Chinese martial arts instructor in the Scranton area with "real world", life or death martial arts experience.
With all of his experiences learning, teaching and training in the martial arts as well as the real word application of what he has learned, PJ still considers himself forever a student. He continues to strive to new heights as a martial artist by continuing his education and expanding his knowledge with several teachers including the founder of the White Lotus Integrated Martial Arts Association, Grandmaster Tao Ch’I Li David J. Everett.
Certified Faculty Members
Sifu Matthew Wicksnes Lead Instructor Scranton Location
Mr. Wicksnes began his training in the martial arts by learning and studying the Bai Lung Chuan Fa (Pai Lum) or the White Dragon Fist System under the direct guidance of Sifu PJ Zippittelli at the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in late 1999. Matt was known for is hard work and dedication to training, often seeking Sifu PJ out to train on days that the Academy was closed. After receiving his first level Black Sash in 2004, Mr.Wicksnes decided to begin the difficult task of pursuing his instructors certification. After many long days training late into the night, his efforts paid off. In late 2006 he successfully passed the three day instructors examination and received the prestigious title of Sifu. Today, Sifu Wicksnes serves on the teaching staff here at Scranton Martial Arts Center and continues to expand his knowledge studying & training in Northern Long Fist, Pai Lum, Tong Long, and Baji Quan.
Sifu Josh Keiper Lead Instructor Scranton Location
Mr. Keiper began training in the martial arts at the young age of six at the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Scranton Pa training in Bai Lung Chuan Fa and Long Fist Kung Fu. In 1993 he parted ways with the Academy for personal reasons and pursued an ultimately disappointing martial arts career at an other area school learning the Northern Eagle Claw System. After years of frustration Josh sought out other means of education and was accepted here at the Scranton Martial Arts Center under Sifu PJ. After arriving at the Center, Mr. Keiper began an in-depth study and refinement of the Chinese arts and successfully passed the three day long instructors examination. After joining the faculty of the Scranton Martial Arts Center, Sifu Keiper was placed in charge of the weekly morning classes and the Center's physical conditioning classes. As well as expanding his study of Northern Long Fist, Northern Eagle Claw, Pai Lum and Baji Quan, Sifu Josh is also a certified massage therapist offering discounted appointments to (SMAC) students in need.
Sifu Richard Boki Lead Instructor Scranton Location
Sifu Rich began martial arts training in the early 1990's with the study of Karate. Discovering the superior attributes that the Chinese based martial arts styles had to offer, Rich then decided to switch gears and began training in the Bai Lung Chuan Fa (Pai Lum) system of martial arts. Rich trained in the Bai Lung system at another area school for over 10 years achieving the rank of black belt. Rich then was invited to expand his knowledge in the system under his teachers master at the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Scranton. Under the Academy's Headmaster, Rich refined his technique and continued on to pass a three day long intensive test to receive the prestigious title of Sifu. Sifu Rich has had great success competing in several national martial arts tournaments, and has belonged to various national martial arts organizations over his career. Sifu Rich has utilized his training knowledge and gained real word martial arts experience serving as security for various night clubs in NEPA. After returning to the Center from a break in training, Sifu Rich enjoys expanding his knowledge of the Chinese martial arts with SMAC and CMAC Headmaster Sifu PJ Zippittelli studying Shaolin Chang Chuan Kung Fu, and Yang Style Tai Chi. Sifu was granted the position of Lead Instructor overseeing the childrens martial arts program at the Scranton Martial Arts Center.