Owner and Lead Coach Matt Wise

Matthew Wise is the owner of Kula Karate. After several years of coaching with Kula, he stepped into the ownership role in the Summer of 2026. Matt is a born and raised Austinite, with four children of his own!

He began his Martial Arts journey in 1993, at the age of eleven, studying Kajukenbo (a mixedmartial arts system originating in Hawaii). He continued training into the mid 200s and now wears a Purple Belt with Kula Karate. 

Matt exemplifies the kindness and community values that mean so much to us here at Kula. He loves to help his students build focus and confidence in class because "confident people don't start fights". Matt is a passionate athlete and educator, not only teaching martial arts, but cello and violin as well. He grew up running and his karate students love to hear about the "old man soccer" games he plays nearly every week!

Chief Instructor and Founder Wayne Key

Master Wayne is a dedicated martial artist with over 37 years of experience, starting in the

Chayon-Ryu system, founded by Grand Master Kim Pyung Soo. This comprehensive

martial art integrates pre-sport Tae Kwon Do, Shorin Ryu Karate, Okinawa-te, Northern

Shaolin Chun’fa (Kung-fu), Hapkido, and Judo. In 1991, Master Wayne's primary teacher,

Master John Blankenship, expanded the curriculum to include the Chinese arts of Hung

Gar, Pekua, and Guang Ping Tai Chi, further deepening Wayne’s training.

With nearly four decades of training and teaching, Wayne has taught both adults and

children in a wide range of disciplines, including forms and kata, competitive sparring,

fitness, practical self-defense, Chi Gung (Qigong), and meditation. As Master Blankenship’s

fourth most senior student by 2008, Master Wayne’s expertise spans the mental, physical,

and philosophical aspects of martial arts.

Master Wayne holds multiple black belt awards, numerous competitive trophies, and four

teaching certificates from Tai Chi master practitioner Dr. Paul Lam.

Master Wayne's extensive background also includes training with elite professionals, such

as police officers, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, SWAT team members, and fitness trainers.

He also holds degrees in psychology and philosophy, which inform his holistic approach to

teaching and personal development.

As Chief Instructor at Austin Kula Karate, Master Wayne designs curriculum and trains

instructors. Master Wayne also teaches children’s and advanced karate classes, Tai Chi,

and the Essentials of Self-Defense workshops, empowering hundreds with critical mental

and physical skills for personal and family safety.

A sought-after speaker, Master Wayne frequently shares his insights at local events,

inspiring others to embrace the transformative power of martial arts.

Wayne continues to train, learn, and teach full-time, in the the lifelong pursuit of mastery

and balance in the martial arts.

Senior Lead Instructor and Program Manager Harris Kirby

Harris is a Black Belt instructor from Garland, TX. He grew up training under his parents, Tim and Marian Kirby, and recieved his Black Belt in 2010 at the age of 11. Harris often jokes that he could tie his white belt before he could tie his shoes! His Martial Arts lineage can be traced back to practitioners such as Jhoon Rhee, Demetrius "The Greek" Havanas, Allen Steen, and many more. He competed extensively while training under his parents and especially excelled in and enjoyed forms/kata.  Though from a "Blood n Guts" background, Coach Harris aims to take the best of Kula Karate and his parents "Tex Kwon Do" to teach and demonstrate respect, discipline, and self-control to all his students. He has been Coaching with Kula Karate since fall 2022 and took on an administrative role with our team in 2024. He currently teaches groups at Bryker Woods, Casis, Mathews, St. Francis School, and WAYA as well as Advanced/Intermediate groups, Little Ninjas,  and private students.

In 2022 Harris graduated with a degree in Music Performance from the University of Denver. He is still an active performer and you can catch him playing oboe with Cover to Cover Quintet around the Austin area.

Lead Coach Marly Shawky

Where are you from?: Fort Worth

When did you start coaching with Kula? I began coaching with Kula during my first semester of college, almost three years ago in the fall of 2022.

What is your Martial Arts Experience (style, rank)?: I hold a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do. My mother had a dojo, Dale and Kristi’s American Karate Academy, where I spent most of my time up until about third grade. While we mostly learned Tae Kwon Do, my mom liked to sprinkle in techniques from Aikido, Kempo, and kickboxing.

What is your favorite part of Martial Arts?: My favorite part of martial arts was always learning the Katas (forms). Something about memorizing the moves and trying to emulate what the instructor was doing was enjoyable for me. Another thing I liked to do was create my own forms, and if I could include a cool jump kick, all the better!

What's your favorite thing about Kula Karate?: My favorite thing about Kula is getting to see the moment when something really clicks for one of the students. It takes some practice and some failures before anybody is able to get a technique down. Being able to watch the process these kids go through of learning the move, trying to get it right, and eventually accomplishing their goals is something really special.

What Kula groups do you coach?: Bryker Woods, Redeemer, Highland Park, and Eanes Elementaries.

Aside from Kula, what do you do?: I am a third-year student at the University of Texas majoring in Urban Studies. After I graduate, I would love the opportunity to work on important local issues surrounding public transportation, housing accessibility, combatting climate change, and anything in between. Additionally, I am one of the Co-Presidents of an organization on campus that aims to foster community and friendship while also making a lasting impact on the city of Austin through philanthropy, service, and collaboration with other organizations.

Junior Coaches

Junior coaches like Sylvia, Lloyd, Eva, Leo, and Hugo have participated in Kula for many years and have earned the position of coach! They assist our lead coaches by being an example, making connections with the kids, and adding to the overall energy of our groups!