Our story

About the Epperson Family Dojo

Ed Parker, 10th degree black belt and founder of American Kenpo

The Kenpo lineage

Our system traces to Ed Parker, 10th Degree Kenpo Black Belt, referred to as the "Father of American Karate." He opened the first commercial karate school in the U.S. in 1954.

One of Mr. Parker's sought after students is Mr. Richard "Huk" Planas, considered a living encyclopedia of the Kenpo system. Mr. Planas resided for many years in Chico, where Chuck Epperson became his student — and remains so today. Mr. Planas returns to Chico for seminars held annually in March at our school.

Our instructors

Chuck Epperson

9th Degree Master

Chuck began his martial arts training in Ed Parker's American Kenpo in the late 1970s under the Parker-Planas lineage in Chico, CA. He remains an active student of Grandmaster Richard “HUK” Planas, who introduced him to the art of Kali in the 1980s. From there he went on to train with Grand Master Anthony Kleeman in Cacoy Canete's Doce Pares Eskrima in the 1990s. Chuck holds black belts in Eskrima, Eskrido, and Pangamot.

Chuck has been teaching martial arts since 1979, and opened his own dojo in 1984. He still teaches 10 or more classes a day, 6 days a week. In June 2007 Chuck was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Los Angeles as senior professor of the year in American Kenpo Karate.

Bruce Epperson

9th Degree Master

Bruce Epperson started training in western boxing under his brother Chuck at a very young age, and in 1979 began training in Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate under Chuck, which he continues to this day. He has won many championships and grand championships in martial arts competition.

He also trained in Danzan-ryū jujitsu under Sensei Todd Birdseye for many years and was accepted as a direct student of Grandmaster HUK Planas, who promoted him to 9th degree black belt in 2022.

Nanette Epperson

Owner / Instructor / Parent-Instructor Liaison / Creative Director

Nanette has been part of Epperson Bros Kenpo Karate Dojo since 1986. She studied Educational Psychology at California State University, Chico, and early childhood education at Diablo Valley College.

She began teaching children at age 16 as a swim instructor and coach. Her approach is to embrace the whole child, with sensitivity to each child's individual needs and learning styles.

Our values

— Confidence and self esteem
— Good sportsmanship and fairness to others
— Positive character
— Preserving Kenpo in Mr. Parker's legacy

Chuck Epperson with Grandmaster Richard HUK Planas

Train with 9th degree masters in Chico

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