INSTRUCTORS

Our accredited team of instructors is friendly, knowledgeable, and down-to-earth. They have a contagious passion for the arts they teach. Our instructors have decades of experience in martial arts, giving our students a unique opportunity to dive deep in different aspects of the arts. Some have gone on to open their own academies, produce multi-media instruction, and have successful careers in the arts.

	JASON HAWKINS I am owner and chief instructor of Three Rivers. I have over 40 years experience in martial arts, and 37 years as a teacher. I am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt professor and senior associate instructor in Filipino Martial Arts and Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Dan Inosanto. I teach group and private adult Jiu-Jitsu, Filipino Martial Art, Jun Fan Kickboxing, and Tai Ji Quan private and group classes at the academy.
	ELI KNIGHT Now in North Carolina, Eli was the senior supervising instructor at Three Rivers and still visits annually to conduct seminars. He has over 30 years experience in martial arts and 27 years teaching. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jistu black belt professor. His social media presence is quite large and he’s been producing helpful content for years, sharing his approach to jiu-jitsu with the masses.
	DERIK PERRY I am a senior instructor at Three Rivers. I have 27 years experience in martial arts. I began training in Shotokan Karate and received my black belt at age 16. That same year, I took my first Jiu-Jitsu lesson with Rickson Gracie, and then began training in Jiu-Jitsu at Three Rivers. I am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt professor. I teach adult Jiu-Jitsu private and group classes at the academy.
	DUSTIN LYNN I am a senior associate instructor at Three Rivers. I have 26 years experience in martial arts, and 10 years teaching. In April 1996, I began studying Kodokan Judo and Olympic Tae Kwon Do because I was bullied at school. After earning my Tae Kwon Do black belt, I transitioned to Jiu-Jitsu. I am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and have a black belt in Judo.