Sensei Pete Hiltz began his martial arts studies in 1976. A 6^th degree blackbelt in Shorinjiryu Karatedo, as award by the Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, based in New York, he has been teaching since 1986. In addition to his karate, he holds a blackbelt in Tomiki Aikido and is a graduate of federal personal protection and weapons courses. Sensei Pete won Third Place in Senior Blackbelt forms at the Annual International Shorinjiryu Shiai in New York City for 2000.  Sensei Pete holds a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins, and is happily retired.

Sensei Pete is the Headmaster of the school, and is the originator of the Jodo of Ake no Myojo Budo.