Our Instructors

Chip Niculescu Sensei

Chip Sensei is the owner and chief instructor of Austin Shotokan Karate Academy. He holds a second degree black belt in Shotokan karate and is an internationally certified and accredited instructor.

Sensei Chip began practicing the art of karate in 1990 in his native country of Romania. He has been teaching students in both Europe and the United States since 1996.

Austin Shotokan Karate Academy, formerly Austin Karate for Kids, was founded on March 1, 2008 as the culmination of Sensei Chip's life-long dedication to traditional martial arts. His passion for Shotokan karate and the martial way fuels the heart of our dojo and comes through in our dedication to teaching our students the core values of traditional martial arts: respect, perseverance, hard work, and honor.

As a “sensei” (‘teacher’ in Japanese), Sensei Chip defines his success by the growth and the accomplishments of his students, in the dojo and, more important than that, in their daily lives.

Christina Adcock Senpai

Christina Senpai started training with Austin Shotokan Karate Academy as a beginner in 2013, fulfilling a life-long dream to study martial arts. It didn’t take long for us at the dojo to realize she not only had a deep passion for training itself but also teaching others. In 2014, Christina began helping teach kids in beginners' classes and has excelled in teaching all ranks and ages over the years. Training and sharing her passion and love of karate with others is truly a calling for her.

Christina has become a leader in our dojo through her dedication to excellence in traditional karate and our dojo community. Not only is she constantly training and studying for her own growth, but also serves as a constant support to all of our students through their karate journey. She regularly represents our dojo with pride as an award winning competitor at tournaments, as a student in the international martial arts community, and teaching in south Austin. Christina earned her Shodan in August, 2018.

When not at the dojo, Christina enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her kids and cats.

Chris Schaefer Senpai

Chris Senpai has a life-long passion for martial arts, training for long years in American Kenpo and ATA Taekwon Do (he's a 3rd degree black belt) prior to joining our dojo, back in 2014. He patiently climbed through the ranks (he joined as a white belt), and earned his black belt in Shotokan in April, 2023. Chris quickly became a true asset for our dojo, using his teaching experience towards improving our students' skills and mental strength.

He is a passionate competitor in kata and kumite and represented our dojo with pride and honor throughout the years.

Outside of the dojo, Chris has a doctorate in criminal justice, and currently works for the TX Department of Public Safety.

He is an U.S. Army veteran where he served as an NCO, with deployments to Bosnia and Iraq.

Joe Boley Senpai

Joe Senpai was first introduced to martial arts around the age of 8, when he joined a local Taekwon Do dojang with his friends. He discovered a passion for martial arts and found the drive to train, learn, and absorb as much as possible.

Later in life and wanting to find an activity to do with his children, they joined a Shuri Ryu Karate dojo in another town and quickly started enjoying Kata, sparring, and weapons. Rising to the rank of brown belt and learning weapons such as Bo, Sai, Kama, and Tonfa, he found a new drive and passion for martial arts. He continued there for the next 4 years before moving to Texas. In Texas is where he discovered Shotokan karate while joining our dojo at the beginning of the pandemic. He quickly advanced through the ranks, earning his black belt in April 2023. He is a fierce competitor, and a passionate instructor.

Outside the dojo, Joe has a degree in mechanical engineering, is passionate about all aspects of manufacturing, and he is a dedicated family man. He married his high school sweetheart, Julie, who has a fierce passion for bodybuilding (she recently was awarded her IFBB Pro status).

They have 3 fantastic boys, in the midst of determining their futures through pursuing their college degrees.

Craig Hogg Senpai

Craig Senpai began training with the Austin Shotokan Karate Academy in 2022. He is currently a member of our Armed Forces, serving our nation as a Commissioned Officer in the Military Police Regiment. Having studied martial arts since a child, he is a life long martial artist. He has studied different styles throughout his years such as Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo Karate, Boxing, Judo and Jiu Jitsu but found favor in Shotokan Karate due to its principles and values of Self respect and respect for others.

In his spare time when he’s not in uniform or practicing martial arts, he enjoys firearms training, physical fitness, and spending time with his lovely wife.