About the Staff
Sensei Jason Gould
Director/Chief Instructor
Jason Gould is the founder of Emerald Necklace Budo Martial Arts. He is a 3rd degree black belt in Shorin-ji ryu karate, and he has been studying the martial arts for over 20 years. He trains regularly with Sensei Brian Ricci and Sensei Dennis Mann of the Zen Bei Butoku Kai International at their dojos in Malden and Sharon, Massachusetts.
Sensei Gould has been certified as a martial arts instructor by the American Council on Martial Arts, an organization that focuses on important teaching issues such as teaching by age groups, safety in the classroom, and student motivation. To better help his students and clients set and achieve their personal fitness goals, he is currently studying to earn a Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning (SMAC) certificate from the International Sports Sciences Association.
Sensei Gould is a certified instructor for the radKIDS personal empowerment and safety education program for children and the R.A.D. Basic Physical Defense program for women. He maintains his CPR certification through the American Red Cross.
Sensei Gould is a Boston University graduate and former United States Marine Corps officer. He currently lives in Allston, MA where he is active in the local community. In 2002, city officials recognized the Neighborhood Crime Watch he helped start in Mission Hill and Jamaica Plain as one of the Top Ten crime watches in Boston. Mr. Gould is currently a Crime Watch Coordinator for the Ringer Park Crime Watch Group in Allston. This group was recognized as a Top Ten Crime Watch in 2004.
Sensei Gould is can be reached at Jason.Gould@karateinboston.com. Check out his blog at http://jasongould.blogspot.com/.
Linda Gregorio
Karate Student Manager
Linda Gregorio has been studying under Sensei Gould since May 2005. Currently a purple belt, she trains in the Advanced-level class as well as in the Black Belt Club. She competed in the Zen Bei Butoku Kai International tournament in Detroit in 2006, and attended the annual Karate Summer Camps in 2007 and 2008 to further advance her training with other master instructors.
Ms. Gregorio was attracted to the martial arts for the non-violent aspects it promotes. Seeking ways to foster balance and peace through focused physical activity, she wishes to extend her personal growth and contribute to the local community and the rest of the world. As the dojo Program Director, Ms. Gregorio is responsible for many critical functions in the dojo, including welcoming and enrolling new members, tracking student progress, and assisting with any number of important administrative tasks.
Ms. Gregorio is an ASL (American Sign Language) / English Interpreter. She received her MA in Interpreting from Gallaudet University, and her BA in Anthropology from Binghamton University. She traveled to Italy on a Fulbright in 2003. A linguist by nature, she is fascinated by culture and language. Linda has launched an initiative to bring volunteer ASL interpreters into the dojo to support the communication needs of our Deaf students, and she is compiling a book on ASL signs for martial artists. She enjoys vegan cooking, international movies, photography, traveling near and far, playing with her nieces and nephews, and facing new challenges.
Laura Troyani
Assistant Instructor
Laura Troyani began studying karate three years ago, and is currently a Purple Belt in the dojo. In addition to her regular training under Sensei Gould, Laura also assists with teaching the beginner-level classes.
Drawn to the physical rigors of martial arts training, Laura enjoys learning about East Asian history and customs. She also enjoys participating in the community service projects organized by all members of the dojo. For the last several years, Laura has coordinated the annual Toys for Tots drive at the dojo, successfully collecting hundreds of toys for local children.
Laura grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated with a degree in Sociology from Harvard College. After three years in Marketing, Laura is studying for her MBA at Harvard Business School. She currently lives in Allston and loves cooking, eating, reading about food, and traveling.
Jennifer Varney
Assistant Instructor
Jennifer Varney began studying with Sensei Gould in January 2005, and is currently a Purple belt in the dojo. She assists with teaching the beginner-level classes and competed in the Zen Bei Butoku Kai international tournament in Niagara Falls, Ontario in October 2007.
After reluctantly accompanying friends to her first karate class, Jen was drawn to train more seriously because of the dojo’s emphasis on character and community service. She also enjoys the close camaraderie among the members of the dojo. As part of her Purple Belt test, Jen coordinated a fund drive in support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and inspired her friends and dojo mates to participate in NAMI's "Campaign for the Mind of America" walk in Boston.
Jen is a graduate of Middlebury College and Simmons College and currently works for the Boston Public Schools as a librarian at a K-8 dual language (English / Spanish) school. When not training or trying to keep up with her students, Jen spends her time improving her Spanish, serving as an officer of a local softball league, reading, and walking her dogs. She lives in Roslindale with her wife and several pets.
Sierra Koral
Program Director / Youth Instructor
Sierra Koral began studying karate in Nagasaki, Japan in 2004 and joined the Emerald Necklace dojo in October 2008. She is currently a Yellow Stripe Belt, training with the Beginner-level class and the dojo's Black Belt Club. Mrs. Koral is an instructor for the dojo's Little Dragons program, and as Program Director, she assists with student registration and enrollment in both the karate and yoga programs.
Initially, Mrs. Koral became interested in karate because it offered a new social activity in Japan, but she quickly fell in love with the unexpected physical challenges and mental exercise. She joined Emerald Necklace because it offers traditional karate classes and emphasizes becoming more thoughtful about the community. She believes that the yoga classes at Emerald Necklace provide the balance for peace and tranquility in her life.
Mrs. Koral has significant experience with guiding and coaching children and young adults. A former ESL teacher, she taught elementary, junior high, and high school students in Japan, and she developed the curriculum for an ESL program for young children out of her own home.
Mrs. Koral is originally from Napa Valley, California. She attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon where she studied Mass Communication and Spanish. Mrs. Koral enjoys traveling all over the world, studying languages (currently working on Turkish), cooking for her family, and spending time in the outdoors. She currently lives in Allston with her husband and kitty.
Amanda Haddad
Youth Instructor
Amanda Haddad has been studying at Emerald Necklace Martial Arts since November of 2007. Currently an Orange Belt, she trains in the Beginner-level class as well as the Black Belt Club. Along with the rigorous training that she goes through at the dojo, she enjoys the new friendships she has made as well as helping out the community.
Ms. Haddad teaches the Little Dragons children’s program at the dojo. Having served as a volunteer camp counselor at Camp Sunshine (a retreat in Casco, Maine for families of children with life threatening injuries), Ms. Haddad has extensive experience with children. She has been a lead counselor for the six- to eight-year-old group, and she has also volunteered in the nursery, the three- to five-year-old group, and the nine- to twelve-year-old group.
Ms. Haddad is a graduate of the College of Criminal Justice at Northeastern University and she currently works as a claims adjuster. When she isn't training at the dojo or working, she enjoys knitting, traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She currently lives in Brighton with her boyfriend and cat.
