Elliot Freeman, 6th degree black belt, is the Chief Instructor of the Three Rivers Aikido dojo.  He has been training and teaching in Aikido for over 30 years, and has been in the martial arts over 40 years. His teacher is Master Steven Seagal, 7th degree black belt. 

Dan has been studying Aikido since 1996 and is the senior student of Sensei Freeman's.  In 2010 Dan joined Sensei Freeman in Romania, for a nation-wide Tenshin seminar.  In addition to Aikido, beginning in 2001, Dan studies

 Tai Chi Chuan under Sifu Justin Meehan.  Dan is a Systems 

Manager with a local investment management firm.  He currently teaches 

Aikido on Monday evenings and Tai Chi Chuan on Saturday afternoons.

Andre' McFadden has been studying Aikido at Three Rivers Aikido under Sensei Elliot Freeman for over 7 years.  He began his Aikido training 15 years ago at the Saint Louis Ki Society.  Andre' has been in the medical field for over 20 years, and is a recent graduate in Criminal Justice.  Andre' has studied other martial arts such as Judo, and holds ranks in Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate.  Andre' is one of the Aiki-Kids instructors.  On occasion, he has taught Defensive Tactics under Sensei Freeman.

Patrick Reed has been studying Aikido at Three Rivers since January 2006.  He was on the wrestling team during his high school years and has continued his research in modern-day ground fighting which he brings into his teachings at Three Rivers Aikido.  Patrick is also known around the dojo as having a keen interest in kendo and bokken kata (two forms of formal Japanese sword training).  He is a Bond Trader with Edward Jones.

Conway Wong has been studying the martial arts since 1987 holding a 1st degree black belt in Aikido as well as a 3rd degree black belt in Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do.  He has been studying at Three Rivers since 2004.  Conway works as a software engineer and enjoys reading and watching Hong Kong kung fu action movies.  Conway teaches the Aiki-Kids' Saturday morning class.

Kyle Rieger has been studying Aikido at Three Rivers since 2003.  He is a highschool student who is growing deep roots in the science world of herpetology.  He plans on taking Aikido along with him in his every day life long after he has graduated from school.

Michael Schaefer  along with his son started training in aikido at Three Rivers in 2006.  He started assisting in the children's classes from his first day and began leading the Sunday children's class upon reaching 2nd kyu (brown belt).  His classes with the children balance aikido as practical self-defense, an art of movement contributing to physical coordination, and as an avenue of character education.  Professionally, he is a librarian with the St. Louis Public Library.  Mike teaches the Aiki-Kids' Sunday morning class.

Ranya has been studying Aikido at Three Rivers since 2007. She is a professional cellist who performs regularly in St. Louis and throughout the country.  In addition to Aikido, she studies Shuri-Ryu Karate under Conway Wong, and maintains a dedicated Bikram yoga practice. She also enjoys traveling abroad and has visited many other Aikido schools.  Ranya is currently our Aikido ambassador to Chile.