Sifu Matt Emery is the proud owner of the Emery Academy of Martial Arts. At the Emery Academy, Sifu Matt has the honor of working with students in the arts Wushu, Kali, Eskrima and Jun Fan Gung Fu, all while practicing and encouraging kindness, compassion and respect.
Sifu Matt is proud to be an official affiliate of the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute of Seattle, under the direction of Sifu Andy Kimura and Sigung Taky Kimura. He hosts and produces the annual Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute of Seattle Instructors Conference, which celebrates the friendship and legacy of Sijo Bruce Lee and his best friend, Sigung Taky Kimura.
Sifu Matt has a passion for the Filipino martial arts. He holds a Black Belt in FMA under martial arts living legend, Guro Dan Inosanto and is a proud member of the Inosanto International Martial Art Instructors Association. Sifu Matt is a Certified Instructor under Sigung Richard Bustillo and is a dedicated affiliate of the world renowned IMB Academy. In 2017, Sifu Matt was inducted into the IMAC Martial Arts Hall of Fame, via a nomination from Sigung Richard Bustillo. He teaches the annual “Richard Bustillo Legacy Class,” at the IMAC National Training Camp. In 2021, Sifu Matt was invited to become a Regional Director for the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame. In the art of Kabaroan Eskrima, Sifu Matt holds the rank of Full Grandmaster, under Grandmaster Ramiro Estalilla, Jr.
Sifu Matt began his lifelong martial arts adventure in his hometown of Seattle, WA, in the art of Wushu, which he has been practicing for nearly all of his life. In fact, in the early 80’s, he participated in the very first Wushu tournaments ever held in the United States. He has had the privilege of training under Master Roger Tung, Coach Eric Chen and many athletes and coaches of the Beijing Wushu Team, including legendary Wushu Coach, Wu Bin. Sifu Matt was one of the first Americans to receive an official ranking from the Chinese Wushu Association. With his Wushu training, Sifu Matt has achieved a successful competition career, performed on stage, screen & in video games and won numerous awards, including an L.A. Weekly Theater Award and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Fight Choreography. In 2021, Sifu Matt had the pleasure of choreographing fight sequences and performing with the sensational Japanese girl group, Atarashii Gakko!, for their music video and live performance.
In 2011, Sifu Matt opened the doors to Emery Academy of Martial Arts. Located in West Los Angeles, the Emery Academy has been recognized and endorsed by parents, teachers, school administrators, doctors, child development specialists, actors and professional athletes. Currently, Sifu Matt’s high-energy, online program has been an enthusiastic and inspiring source of physical activity, community and togetherness. In addition to his classes at the Emery Academy, Sifu Matt also teaches martial arts at preschools in the West Los Angeles area. With his natural gifts and abilities in working with children, Sifu Matt has held many workshops, performances and demonstrations for schools and youth organizations.
Sifu Matt is grateful for the opportunity to work with incredible martial artists from all over the world. He is honored to participate in the 27th Annual Tang Soo Do Karate Association World Conference!