Instructors

Master Christine Parker

Master Christine parker is the appointed head instructor of Parker's Self-Defense studios in Smithfield, NC.

Master Parker began her training in 1988 under grandmaster James Parker, she wanted to develop more self-confidence and learn self-defense which was reality based. Having friends who studied various forms of martial arts she was able to understand the differences in styles and know what she was looking for. In 1992 she was promoted to first Duan black sash.

Master Parker currently holds the masters level of fifth Duan black sash, she also holds ranks in: Ketsugo Ryu Kenpo Sunja do karate Lung shou pai A proud member of the international SiFu Federation World Black Belt Federation A member of the International Board of Black Belts

MasterPparker is a specialist in both empty hand training and weapons. She is also trained to work with students with physical and mental challenges.

Master Parker is a full time martial arts instructor who takes great pride in involving her family in all aspects of the day to day running of the studio.

Personal message:

II am passionate about kung fu and my students which is why they aspire to be the best. I enjoy working with each and every student just as a sculptor works their clay into masterpieces which will touch everyone who looks upon it, my students are taught skill and knowledge which rid them of all fears and allow them to grow into greatness which in turn will touch others in a positive, productive way.

Patrick Heavy

I'm Patrick Heavey. I am a member of the Leadership Team, currently serving as an assistant instructor for the Tuesday-Thursday youth classes - Little Warriors, Intermediate Youth, and Advanced Youth - as well as substituting in other classes for SiJo on the occasions when he is out of town.

My training at Parker's Self-Defense began in May 2007. My wife and I had previously enrolled our children in the Little Warriors program, particularly for the benefit of our autistic son, Owen. I decided to also join, mostly as a means of exercise. I had had no prior martial arts experience (although I loved the old-time kung fu movies!).

A big part of what I love about Bai Kai is the variety of specialties that are available to be learned. My training has included Chuan Shu, Kali-Arnis-Escrima (stick fighting), Tactical Knife, weapons (sword, staff, spear), Shuai Jiao (grappling), and San Shou (fighting). On the instructional side, my specialties are Chuan Shu with the Little Warriors, Youth, and Advanced Youth; Wu Shu; and Shaolin/Wu Dao.

Out in the "real world", I work in the Internet field. I am currently employed by a large regional bank performing website measurement and optimization.

As other students who have started their martial arts training at a later age (I was 39) may have also done, I wished that I had done so sooner in my life. However, Sijo Parker has said that everyone comes to martial arts when they're ready, and I now believe that this is indeed true. Like many beginners, I struggled early on with my training, but as I progressed, my skills and physical conditioning improved, and I came to love attending all of my classes and learning the aspects of the Bai Kai system. And as much as I enjoy my own training, I equally enjoy having the opportunity to assist in teaching Bai Kai to our young students, developing future Black Sashes one student at a time.

Angela Rayburn

My function with in the studio is to assist the instructor in the Little Warriors class or any other class that may need the additional help with running drills. I have been out to the Smithfield Studio to assist with some classes under the direction of Si Mui Parker. When I am not in a class of my own or lending a helping hand in a class, I can be found in the lobby talking to parents or reviewing forms with fellow classmates.

I started training at Parker's Self Defense in September of 2008, this is after my husband and I had enrolled our daughter into the Little Warriors program. My husband started attending the adult class first and I started two weeks later after being able to rearrange my work schedule. Little did I know that, that one class twice a week would lead on a journey to where I am involved with being at the studio six days a week.

When I first started training I felt awkward, uncoordinated, stiff, and wanted to give up. This was all new to me for I had never played sports; the most I had ever done was run on treadmill and lift a few weights. So, I was like a child learning how to ride a bike for the first time. I learned that if I wanted to go farther in my training I needed to keep getting back on the bike and try harder. Eventually, the awkwardness, stiffness and the will to give up turned around I now have confidence, more range of motion and the will to achieve all the goals that I have set. The one key thing that I have learned and I am still learning is if you want to excel you must be disciplined and motivated to practice even when you don't want to.

My specialties with the studio are: Chuan Shu, Shuai Jiao Butterfly Swords and forms.
My training in martial arts has gotten me to step out of my box into the competition ring. I competed at Carolina Martial Arts Open in South Carolina & Survivor in Georgia. Both were great learning experiences for me, it makes me look forward and practice harder for upcoming competitions.

When I am not at the studio I can be found pursuing my other passion and that is cooking. I am employed with Canteen Dining where I hold the position of Executive Chef/Manager. I came to love the culinary world by watching several famous chefs on television. I went on to obtain a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, SC. My job with Canteen has me doing more than cooking; it has me running a business with all the many challenges that go along with it. Whenever the chance becomes available I love to cook for friends and family. I enjoy being in the kitchen trying out a new recipe or re-inventing an old one.

After training for only two years I now have a new passion besides cooking and that is martial arts. I now have a new understanding for martial arts and everything that goes along with it. Where the passion for cooking is seeing how a recipe can evolve from one ingredient. The passion for martial arts comes from being able to complete a technique or a form. It also comes when assisting in a class and seeing a student beam with pride, because they landed the punch, remembered a combination or got their kick up high.

Five years ago the thought of me walking into a martial arts studio and training never entered my mind. The thought now of me walking out of the studio and never training again is one that I can't even comprehend. Martial arts over the past two years have become such a way of life for my family and me; I look forward to seeing what the future holds for me in my martial arts training.

Richard Rayburn

My function at the studio is to assist the instructors and assume a leadership role. To continually development myself so that I may be of help to those around me.

My training began in 1974 when I was twelve years old. I had two older brothers that signed up for Judo. For three years I was their throwing partner for their practice. At the age of fourteen I enrolled in my first formal training, Okinawa Kenpo Karate. I trained there for two years and achieved the rank of green belt. As I began college, I took up Fencing and for PE classes, other students and myself were allowed to training with each other in a mix of martial styles. In 1989 I moved to Raleigh, and began training in Tae Kwon Do. By 1991 Hapkido had worked its way into my training. The United States Tae Kwon Do Federation in conjunction with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation awarded me a National Referee Certificate in May of 1992 after attending training classes at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In January of 1993, I received my first degree black in Tae Kwon Do. In the summer of 1993, I was asked to takeover the business of a Tae Kwon Do school in West Raleigh. Joining forces with another Tae Kwon Do school and feeling that something was missing in my game, I sought out, and began studying Aikido. In two years I achieved the rank of Third Kyu (sankyu). During this time I competed in local, national, and international competitions for Tae Kwon Do.

In 1996, I let life take me take me. I decided to take a break from training to focus on career. That break turned into twelve years. Not until my daughter, Hannah, wanted to start training did I step back into a martial arts training hall. I did not last two weeks before I too was enrolled in Kung Fu at Parker's Self Defense in August of 2008. In my two years at Parker's I have lost seventy (70) pounds and awoke the passion for martial arts and life again. I am currently studying Bai Kai Chuan Shu, Shuai Jiao, and Filipino Fighting Arts (Arnis - Kali - Escrima I currently hold the rank of blue sash in Bai Kai Chuan Shu, rank of 4t' Chieh blue with green stripe in Shuai Jiao, and my first certificate of rank from the World Filipino Martial Arts Federation. In specialty classes I have earned the Tactical Combat Knife First Level Technician. With in the traditional weapons, I am learning the Kwon Dao. In 2010, I have competed and taken first with the Kwon Dao in the two Southeastern Dixie Conference competitions.

I am currently the Executive Chef / Manager with Eurest Dining Services at Quintiles in RTP. Having been in the foodservice industry since 1985, has only flamed my passion to share the joy that cooking for people brings. My wife, Angela, and I also have started a side business, R & R Catering servicing the Smithfield and Clayton areas.

That passion is matched by my passion for the martial way. To over come the challenges of the mental, the physical, the injuries, and to be pushed past what you thought were your limits. This is why I rush home from work, on my day off, and even schudule doctor appointment, so that I can get that one extra hour in the studio to train. If I improve myself, I will improve my community. What every I receive; I try to give back to the community two fold.

Brad Williams

Li Shi Brad Williams is an instructor and student at the Parker's Self Defense Clayton studio. He is currently a member of the Parker's Self Defense Leadership Team and Masters Club.

Li Shi Williams started his training at Parker's in 2005 at age 35. He holds a 1st degree Black Sash in Bai Kai Kung Fu. He also holds a 9`" Teng Black Belt 15` degree in Shuai Jiao grappling.

Li Shi Williams is a volunteer instructor who has assisted Sijo Parker in instructing the Little Warriors and Youth Wushu classes. He currently assists in instructing the Youth Shaolin kung fu and Youth Shuai Jiao grappling classes.

Li Shi Williams is a specialist in open hand forms training and weapons forms training and is an advanced breaker. He has won various titles in competitions including two 15` place titles in Weapons Forms and 1St place in Open Hand Forms at the Bluegrass Nationals in 2007, iS` place in the Parker's Self Defense grappling tournament in 2007 and 3rd place in Weapons Forms in the Carolina Martial Arts Open in 2010.

Professionally, Williams is a Certified Financial Planner currently helping over 125 clients reach their financial goals and dreams . He has owned and operated his financial planning practice since 1997 and has worked in the investment industry since 1995.

He is married to his wife, Jenny, and has two children, Boone and Jossie. Both of his children have trained at Parker's Self Defense since a very early age. They have both graduated from the Little Warrior program and continue their training with the youth of the studio.

Personal Message:

I started kung fu at Parker's to learn self defense skills and for exercise. I have not only learned self defense skills and stayed in shape, but have gained so much more. Through teaching the Little Warriors, I gained patience. Through training for competitions, I learned to be more focused and disciplined. Through sparring and grappling with my friends, I increased myself control.

I love teaching the youth at our school. It is my hope that they can gain as I have, but at a much younger age. I see the benefits kung fu brings to mine and my children's lives and hope to share these benefits with others who are willing to except the challenge that Parker's Self Defense offers.

Darryl Milligan

How may I help you and your family? I am part of the leadership team and currently help out with the youth and adult basic classes. I truly enjoy helping others learn and watching them advance.

My training here at the studio has been Chuan Shu Kali-Amis-Escrima (stick fighting), Tactical Knife, Staff, and )(MA (Extreme Martial Arts).

I have studied in a few different systems. When I was younger I studied Karate for about two years before I was pulled out because I was spending too much time there. During my training in Karate most of the time was spent doing mirror training. We would be shown a punch or kick then practice it till the instructor thought we were ready for the next technique.

I joined the Army after high school and during my 10 years in the Army. I studied Praying Mantis Kung Fu for a few months in Korea but being young I did not stay with it. Later I regretted not staying with it. It was more fluid that what I had studied before. I looked for a good martial arts class the other years I was in the Army. I studied Tae Kwon Do at a few schools but it lacked what I liked about Kung Fu. While stationed at Fort Bragg I started taking Wing Chun. I enjoyed it and it had some of what I liked about Kung Fu but it seemed to still be missing the ground game.

My Wing Chun practice stopped when I met my Wife to be. I spent most of my time with her and her family. It was a great time being with my Wife and my three step daughters but I always wanted to train in martial arts. I guess you could say I had an instant family.

I found a school close to my house and again started training in Tae Kwon Do and this school also did some grappling. I attended class and even stayed after most classes and got nowhere. I latter asked why I was not moving up in rank and was told something like: Oh I thought you were here for physical training. I stopped training there after this.

While working at the in the park a friend told me about how he had trained in a few different systems and how his current instructor seemed to be the best he had studied with so far. 1 so wanted to get back to Wing Chun or Kung Fu again so I when with him to a class and fell in love with the Bai Kai system.

It is funny to me that people that life in and around the Studios can't find time study or to bring their kids to the studio. You see I live in Raleigh and most weeks make the drive four or more times a week. To me Bai Kai Chuan Shu ( Kung Fu ) is the next best thing to studying in China.

Teachings of greats like Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn are often taught as well as physical fitness, discipline, respect, and focus.

For me the search is over. I learned more in a few months at the Bai Kai Studio than 1 ever learned in the other systems. My skills are better now then they have ever been.

Here at the Bai Kai Studio we are here to help each other for as we build others we build ourselves. We learn from the newest members all the way up to Sijo the founder of our system.

Feel free to say hi or ask for help. See you at the studio.

"Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure." - Jim Rohn

"There is no great success without great commitment." -Anonymous

Brandi Appell

I am a member of the leadership team aspiring to be the Assistant Instructor at the Smithfield Studio.

My interest in Kung Fu began when I was 10 years old watching Saturday morning movies. I really enjoyed the martial arts in them, although I did not know which form of martial arts it was. The action on the screen had me looking forward to next week's episode every time! I also enjoyed watching kick-boxing. The matches were televised and involved kicks, blocks, punches and had more action than regular boxing. I enjoyed that!

My husband and I looked for an activity to get our two daughters involved with for almost 2 years. After seeing the ads for Parker's Self Defense in the Clipper, it seemed a natural fit. August 2009 they tried the class. Hayli and Cori fell in love with it and made the choice to work toward their Black Sash.

For the first year and a half, and still to this day, I work with our girls at home to practice their Kung Fu. Then, in December 2010 my husband gifted me a three month package for Kick Boxing. I stepped outside my comfort zone and joined Muay Thai (Kick Boxing) because I thought it would be really cool to learn. As I continued my Muay Thai training, my interest in Kung Fu grew and then signed up for Bai Kai Kung Fu training under Si Mui Parker in June 2011. Two weeks later I expanded my training by joining XMA (Extreme Martial Arts).

I performed a Toothpick form in the Fourth of July Presentation in 2011 and enjoyed it. I have since performed in the 2011 Harvest Festival and am working on the Black Sash Presentation for 2011.

When I am not at the studio my label is Homemaker. I am either at home with my girls or at the church volunteering my time.

Personal Message:

When the light bulb goes on.and they understand that you have been trying to tell them.that's what I love. In high school I would help other students with Math, Science, Music or Drafting and I was always excited when - DING - the light bulb comes on and they get it! In college I wanted to help turn Math or Physics homework into light bulb moments for other students. Now, with my own light bulb moments happening as I train under Si Mui Parker in Smithfield, I can't wait to see other students eyes light up as I help them and.DING.they get it! When they succeed, so do I!

Teaching has always been a part of me. I just thought I would teach Mathematics or Physics. I never thought I would be on the path to teaching Kung Fu. Life is a wild ride.