Martial arts classes in peabody - Instructors

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Charles “Chip” Quimby is Managing Director and Chief Instructor of Authentic Karate Training Center, which he founded in 2010.  He began his martial arts training at the age of twelve and is currently graded 7th Dan, Kyoshi, in classical Okinawan Uechi-Ryu Karate (上地流唐手道).

Chip’s passion and enthusiasm as both a practitioner and teacher were evident early in his career.  Known for his highly methodical and charismatic teaching style, Chip has studied under some of the world's most highly acclaimed and influential traditional karate masters.  In 1999 at the age of 26, he was one of the youngest practitioners in the world to ever be awarded the title of Shihan, (師範) or Master Instructor, by the Okinawa Karate-Do Kyokai (沖空会 沖縄空手道協会).  The following year he was invited to serve as an Examination Board Member for the association representing the United States of America, where he continues to play an active role.  In 2015, after nearly three decades of study, Sensei Quimby was awarded the title of Kyoshi (professor) by the eminent Grandmaster, Tsutomu Nakahodo, 10th Dan, Hanshi, and recipient of Japan’s Medal of the Order of the Rising Sun.  

A highly decorated competitor, Sensei Quimby has competed both nationally and internationally from an early age.  In the winter of 2015, he competed in Japan’s prestigious,  All-Okinawan Karate Championships, where he earned the unique distinction of being the only American to ever win first place in the tournament’s kata division. 

Prior to becoming a professional martial artist, Chip worked as a consumer behavior analyst for the Nielsen Company, where he analyzed, designed, and evaluated strategic-based marketing initiatives utilizing consumer panel data for some of the country’s largest consumer packaged goods retailers. 

Chip is an honors graduate from Northeastern University where he holds a BS in Business Administration.

Andrew O’Brien has trained and taught martial arts for over two decades, beginning his training in 1998. He studied in a variety of arts including Tang Soo Do (4th Degree Black Belt), Krav Maga, and Judo. Andrew's successful competitive career spans multiple styles, including taking first in forms in the black belt men’s division at the American Tang Soo Do Association’s 2013 World Tournament and winning first place in the United Uechi Invitational Tournament in 2019. Andrew enjoys many areas of training, and his interests extend from competitive forms and biomechanics to reality-based self defense. He has been lucky enough to train with and learn from many exceptional teachers, including world renowned experts like Patrick McCarthy, Iain Abernethy, Rory Miller, and Jesse Enkamp. 

Mr. O’Brien began teaching Tang Soo Do classes when he was 15 years old, assistant teaching and serving as the primary instructor for classes at the organization's home location. Every week, Andrew would also travel to teach programs at YMCAs, local schools, and even a gym class for Gordon College’s physical education program. After seventeen years of training in Tang Soo Do, Andrew saw a video of Sensei Quimby performing kata, which ultimately led him to explore Uechi Ryu Karate and begin his training here at AKTC in 2016. In 2021, Andrew became the third person to receive certification as Shidoin (a formally recognized assistant instructor with the Okinawan Karate-do Association) at AKTC since the school was founded in 2010. Andrew has a passion for teaching others, and one of his favorite moments of any class is watching a student's eyes widen and their smile grow when they understand a move or idea for the first time.

Mr. O’Brien graduated from Gordon College in 2013 with a degree in English. Since then, he has been teaching English Language and Literature courses for organizations like New Hope Courses for Homeschoolers. Andrew’s non-martial interests include reading and writing. He is a published poet and has been working on many "first novels" since he was in his early teens.