Robert Savoca, chief instructor of Brooklyn Aikikai, began studying Judo and Aikido at age 13 in San Diego County. He continued to study Aikido at the West Los Angeles Aikido Institute during college.

Moving to New York, he continued his training at Aikido of Manhattan, for a year and a half with Juba Nour Sensei. Afterwards, he apprenticed to T.K. Chiba, Shihan, as an uchideshi (live in student) in San Diego for a year. Moving back to New York, he resumed training with Juba Nour Sensei and then started Brooklyn Aikikai in 2002.

Savoca holds the rank of 6th Dan, and is certified to teach by Birankai North America.

Terri Rzeznik began her training in the Fall of 1999 at Aikido of Manhattan in New York with Juba Nour Sensei. After living in Los Angeles for a brief time, she returned to Brooklyn, New York in 2001. She then continued her studies with Robert Savoca Sensei, as the first official member of Brooklyn Aikikai.

She currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan and is certified to teach by Birankai North America.

Kate Savoca began her Aikido training in 2002 at Brooklyn Aikikai. She currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan and is certified to teach by Birankai North America.

Kate is the director of the children's program at Brooklyn Aikikai.