Instructors
Master Reggie Westbrook, 7th Degree Black Belt
Master Reggie Westbrook is a 7th degree black belt and the owner and director of the
James Island Masters Studios of Self Defense location.
Master Reggie started his martial arts journey in Delray Bch, Florida in 1981. He studied up to 1st degree black belt under 3rd degree black belt Herb McNeil. He then began studying under 5th degree Master John Fritz, who awarded Master Reggie his first through 2nd degree black belts. He ran the Fred Villari's Studios of Self-Defense in Boca Raton, Florida from 1984 to 1987. Master Reggie then returned to his home state of South Carolina. He briefly studied Ed Parker’s American Kenpo style of karate in Columbia, South Carolina before settling on James Island.
Master Reggie took over the James Island Masters Studio in May 1996. He was awarded his 3rd degree through 6th degree black belts, and Master title, by 8th degree black belt Bob Noelty, 7th degree Phil Beauregard and
7th degree Mike St Amand.
In 1997, Master Reggie began studying southern style and northern style kung fu as well as wushu weaponry under Sifu Yao Li. He has practiced a variety of weapons, including the broadsword, straight sword, double broad sword, double daggers, kung fu fan, canes, flute, bo staff, short staff, 3-section staff, kamas, escrima sticks and guandao. He also began studying Tai Chi in 1997 with Sifu Joshua Grant who partners with Sifu Yao Li at the Boston Kung Fu and Tai Chi Institute. Reggie's studies include Yang style and Chen Style forms along with several Tai Chi weapons forms.
In 2017 Master Reggie was awarded his 7th degree black belt by Grand Master Fred Villari. Master Reggie continues to teach the martial arts in the studio as well as a few schools and senior centers. He enjoys writing and playing music, as well as spending time with his family.
Bass Curtice, 1st Degree Black Belt
Bass has been practicing martial arts for over 9 years. He has been an instructor at Masters Studios for over 3 years. He was awarded his black belt in December 2024 under 7thd degree black belt Master Reggie Westbrook. In addition to Shaolin Kempo Karate, Bass studies Wushu weaponry and kung fu.
Audrey Tamekazu, 1st Degree Black Belt
Audrey has been practicing martial arts for 6 years. She began learning karate with her 6-year old daughter. They worked together and earned their brown belts. Audrey was awarded her black belt in December 2024 under 7th degree black belt Master Reggie Westbrook. She began teaching at the studio in 2022 and especially enjoys working with the younger students.
Master Dave Richter, 5th Degree Black Belt
Dave Richter is an accomplished martial arts instructor at James Island Masters Studios, bringing decades of experience and dedication to his teaching. Currently a 5th degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate under 7th degree black belt Master Reggie Westbrook, Dave was awarded his Master level black belt certification in December of 2025. He also trains extensively in Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Wushu, and Wushu weaponry.
Dave’s martial arts journey began in 1984 at Fred J. Villari Self Defense on James Island, igniting a lifelong passion for the discipline. Throughout his college years and beyond, he broadened his expertise by studying multiple martial arts both formally and informally. He joined Masters Studios in 2003 and has been a dedicated instructor at the James Island location since 2007, sharing his knowledge and inspiring students of all levels.
In addition to his work at Masters Studios, Dave trains in Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do (JKD) under Sifu Jay Kennedy. He currently holds a 2nd-level rank (Apprentice Instructor) in Wing Chun and is actively progressing through the Sifu training program, further deepening his mastery of martial arts.