Our Teachers
Each of us brings different things to the mat.
Carla Garrett: Chief Instructor (Yondan)
4th Degree Black Belt
Carla is the Chief Instructor and runs/manages the dojo. While Carla started Aikido late in life she still trains 4 or 5 times per week. In addition to being the Dojo Cho at ACC, she has the privilege of training regularly at ASL with Patricia Hendricks, Shihan, 7th Dan (and the head of our division at the CAA). She began her Aikido journey in 2009 with Louis Jumonville, Shihan, Dojo Cho of Hikari Dojo (our Sensei before he moved to MA in 2020). Carla is responsible to bring Hendricks Sensei’s teachings to our dojo as well as maintaining what we’ve learned over the years from Jumonville Sensei.
Carla also does Toastmasters, writes teaching materials for high school government/economic classes, hangs out with friends on Zoom and drinks lots of Peets tea every day.
Jennifer Platt: Instructor (Shodan)
Jennifer is our latest addition to the teaching staff, having gained her Shodan in February 2024. Jennifer started Aikido in 2015 at Hikari Dojo under Louis Jumonville 6th Dan Shihan, training with him consistently until he moved in 2020. Jennifer then continued to train with Carla as she worked to found Aikido Contra Costa.
Outside of Aikido, Jennifer is passionate about animals, previously working as a veterinary nurse and volunteering for various cat and dog rescues. Currently Jennifer and her husband are volunteering for a wildlife rescue, rehabilitating squirrels for release back into the wild. Outside of Aikido and animal rescue, Jennifer works for a local biotechnology company and helps her husband run his Fire Sprinkler business.
Brian Johnson: Instructor (Sandan)
Brian started training in 2009. He embodies the techniques that our Sensei taught. His teaching style focuses on the angle and linear progression of technique and principles.
Brian’s background in Information Technology and systems administration gives him a unique perspective on applying martial arts movements with a foundation of logical process and body mechanical analysis. A father of two, and husband he finds his free time spent hosting a family game night, or in the kitchen stirring up trouble with a new recipe.
Suzanne Rudiger: Instructor (Sandan)
3rd Degree Black Belt
Suzanne began training Aikido in 1981 with David Gamble Sensei and Terry Dobson Sensei with breaks in training in later years for reasons of health and restorative care.
She had the great privilege of studying with a number of amazing and renowned teachers from differing lineages. She is ranked Sanidan by Kayla Feder 7th Dan Shihan of Aikido of Berkeley.
After taking a break from Aikido, she has returned to the mat with deep gratitude for all her teachers and the legacy of the Art of Peace.
She enjoys time with her family, travel, water coloring, the practice of Taoist Tai Chi, Reiki, and meditation. The practices of Tai Chi and Aikido are especially a delight to her when she travels.
Stephen Adduci: Instructor (Nidan)
2nd Degree Black Belt
Steve started his martial arts career in college doing Taekwondo where he achieved the rank of Nidan. When he moved to the Bay Area, he began training Aikido with Patricia Hendricks, Sensei at Aikido of San Leandro. He trained there for about 10 years and was in most of Sensei’s demos taking ukemi (falls).
He then transitioned to training in Brazilian Jiu jitsu (BJJ) about 10 years ago and is a 4 stripe brown belt (one level below black belt).
A year and a half ago, we were very lucky that he decided to get back into Aikido at our dojo. He is a gifted teacher.
Steve enjoys time with his daughter, cooking, and hanging with friends. He is an amazing artist, and makes his living in the branding and design world.
Marc Dioso (Nidan)
2nd Degree Black Belt
Bio coming soon.
Guido Gaiteri: Of Counsel (Sandan)
Guido began his training in Argentina and continued to train when he moved to California. Guido trained with the four of us until he moved to Roseville where he continues to train and teach. Guido is definitely “of counsel” since he is a lawyer in his day job.
Even with his busy life (lawyering and raising two daughters with his wife Macaela), Guido hopes to join us in person whenever he can.