Robert Savoca, director 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. Afterwards, he apprenticed to Professor T.K. Chiba, Shihan, as an uchideshi (live in student) in San Diego.

He moved back to Brooklyn, New York to establish Brooklyn Aikikai. Savoca holds the rank of 5th Dan, and is certified to teach by Birankai North America.