Meet our instructors and coaches.
Our instructors teach alongside coaches from the Leadership Team, who help with classes and the front desk.
Head Instructor
Sensei Paul DiRienzo
Sensei Paul began training in American Jiu-Jitsu at Boston College in 1997 and opened Metrowest Academy in 2007. A fourth-degree black belt (Yondan), he built this school on a simple idea: no egos, no gimmicks, just practical jiu jitsu and a community that takes care of each other.
His training spans small circle Jiu-Jitsu, Western Boxing, Judo, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, plus defensive knife and handgun work with industry leaders including Rory Miller and Rob Pincus. That includes advanced coursework at the Sig Sauer Academy and a contribution to the Combat Focus Shooting instructional book series.
He's also a certified personal trainer through NASM, with certifications in group exercise, boxing, and nutritional management. That background shapes how he teaches technique and conditioning.
Instructor
Sensei Curtis H
Sensei Curtis is a second-degree black belt and one of the instructors at Metrowest Academy. He teaches the Tuesday grappling class and assists in the other adult classes during the course of the week.
Sensei Jen C
Instructor
Sensei Nick V
Sensei Justin G
Sensei David K
Sensei Keith T
Sensei Vinny M
The Team
The coaches your family will know by name.
Our coaches are Leadership Team students. They put their training into practice by helping our instructors with classes and welcoming people at the front desk.
Coach Aaron
Coach Anjali
Coach Boti
Coach Connor
Coach Emma
Coach Harker
Coach Jamie
Coach Joshua
Coach Lara
Coach Makoto
Coach Manalia
Coach Noah
Coach Noelle
Coach Quinn
Coach Risha
Coach Samantha
Coach Sayomia
Coach Taylor
"He treated them as near to adults as they could be expected to handle, with a firm but empathetic tone. No ego trip for the sensei, no scare tactics about the dangerous world, no pressure to go compete for the school. Just an excellent education in self-defense, self-control, and maturity, taught by and with great people."
Come meet us in person.
Your first class is free. Come meet the instructors and the people you'll train with.
Takes about a minute. No card needed.
61 Worcester St, Natick, MA 01760 · (508) 315-3251