Instructors
At Dark Horse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu we are a family, and our school is bound to become our students’ second home. We are a judgment-free zone, where mistakes are viewed as growth opportunities and your instructors and fellow students are your #1 supporters. You’ll learn a lot of impressive skills and gain many new abilities at Dark Horse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but the most important thing you’ll acquire during your time here? Our community.
Dark Horse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Instructors
Here at Dark Horse Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, our staff is the secret to our student success. Each instructor has a rich background in martial arts and is eager to train the next generation of martial artists. Meet the team below!
Owner, Head Instructor
Andrew "The Dude" Dudderar
Professor Andrew Dudderar is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Amal Easton of Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is known for being impervious to chokes and for having a strong focus on the mental aspects of training. Despite his intimidating appearance, Andrew has a sincere and inspiring love for helping others achieve their goals in Jiu-Jitsu, and quickly became one of the most beloved teachers in the local community.
Andrew wrestled in high school before going on to play college football. He started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1999 under the venerable Rafael Lovato Sr. He moved to Boulder in 2000, and began training with Amal Easton in 2001. After receiving his bachelors degree in Psychology from CU, Andrew moved to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to live and train at the birthplace of the martial art for two years. Andrew then received his brown belt from the Gracie Barra patriarch, Carlos Gracie Jr. and his black belt from Amal Easton.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda – Carlos Gracie Sr – Carlos Gracie Jr – Helio Soneca
Highlights of his competition record include:
- 2012 Master’s World Championships 3rd Place (Black Belt)
- 2008 World Championships 3rd Place (Brown Belt)
- 2005 Pan American Championship 2nd Place (Blue Belt)
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BJJ Instructor
Jorge Arias
Jorge has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2002, and received his black belt in 2014 from Professor Vinicius Amaral (Game Fight) in Lima, Peru.
He considers himself lucky enough to have trained with great teams across different parts of the continent – in Peru, Mexico, Canada, and within the US in San Diego CA and now Longmont CO.
Since moving to Longmont, Jorge took over the Saturday morning Competition training class and enjoys teaching his style of Jiu Jitsu and training hard with the team.
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BJJ Instructor
James "Popeye" Drebenstedt
James started training at Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 to lose weight but quickly became addicted to sport Jiu-Jitsu and competition.
He transferred to Dark Horse BJJ soon after it opened, developed a fascination with new school guards and grips and became “Popeye.” As a
the coach he delights in helping students surpass himself by passing on his knowledge both of the art of Jiu-Jitsu, and the marathon path to advancement.
Aside from teaching, he can be found backing up Professor Dude’s coaching at tournaments. In his spare time, Popeye continues to search for the perfect fusion of old-school closed guard and modern sport guards and lets the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle spearhead his personal and professional growth on and off the mat.
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BJJ Instructor
Dan Degerlia
I started wrestling at a young age and became immersed with it in High School. After one season my coach pulled some of us aside and showed us one of the first UFC events on a VCR tape in the school weightroom. I graduated High School in 2002 and began my Jiu Jitsu journey in April of 2003 at an academy in Boulder. I worked a trade and worked a lot of hours. I had to commute a long distance to train and that would be the story for the next few years until I quit my job, went back to school and moved where I could train a lot of Jiu Jitsu. I trained at an academy in Denver and an academy in Arvada over the coming years.
In 2011 I moved back to Longmont and a short while later I began my journey at Dark Horse. Over the next roughly 10 years the academy was there for me when I needed to focus on my family or focus on my career and then of course when I wanted to sharpen my skills. I found that it didn’t matter what walk of life you came from, Dark Horse, the academy was always there for you. Seeing that given to me, I try to give it to my students and anyone who wants to learn. I love teaching and I endeavor to learn methods which allow me to engage a wider audience and to more effectively teach students. I know a lot of old-school Jiu Jistu and I stay current with the modern game. From self-defense, to competition, to fitness, to inner-peace Jiu Jitsu has provided a completeness in my life that I gladly share with others.
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BJJ Instructor
James Borders
James first walked into Dark Horse in 2016 when he signed his daughter up for the Little Ninjas program. It wasn’t long before he showed interest in the adult classes and signed up.
Soon, James caught the competition bug. He has since won several local competitions as well as making the podium on the international stage at IBJJF Pans and IBJJF Masters Worlds.
You can find James in the gym, before class starts, drilling the latest lasso guard techniques and counters to omoplata defenses.
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BJJ Instructor
Doug Stone
BJJ Instructor
Kyle Haynes
BJJ Instructor
Keifer Johnson
Professor Keifer started training with Dark Horse back in April 2011 at the age of 18. Keifer continued his Jiu-Jitsu journey over the last decade-plus while traveling and living abroad, where he trained at a range of BJJ and MMA gyms. He earned his black belt in December of 2021. Keifer’s positive personality is contagious, making him a joy to have in the academy.
His favorite part of Jiu-Jitsu is the constant pursuit of knowledge and improvement. You’ll find him on the mats consistently sharpening his technique, and he’s always excited to bring new students into the Dark Horse crew.
When he’s not destroying us on the mats he loves to rock climb, work on his home in Longmont, or fly fish some of the nearby bodies of water.
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General Manager, Instructor and Lead Kids instructor
Brittany Borders
Brittany began her journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) as a way to immerse herself in a new passion. What started as a hobby quickly transformed into a deep love for the sport, propelling her into the competitive arena. Today, Brittany is not only a skilled practitioner but also the General Manager at Dark Horse BJJ.
As the head instructor for kids’ classes, Brittany is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of martial artists. She also contributes to fundamental classes and passionately leads a women’s class every Sunday, believing in the importance of building confidence, community, and a safe space for women to train and thrive.
Brittany’s commitment to BJJ has turned her passion into her profession, and she continues to inspire others on and off the mat.
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Thai Boxing Instructor
Ryan "Mars Bar" Marr
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BJJ Instructor
Josh Shurtleff
I’ve wanted to be a ninja since 1982 and I think I made it happen! Now I get to share that journey with others and it feels great. It’s an honor to teach jiu jitsu to people and watch them grow.
I’ve been at Dark Horse since 2013. My competition game is focused on technical sweeps and top pressure, but over time I’ve changed my practice towards finding ways to play with the exchanges and use unexpected techniques to make the match about fun and surprise.
It’s all about the connection. Let’s gooooooo!
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Instructor
Daniel Vincente
Started BJJ at Darkhorse in January of 2018. Been loving it ever since!.
The dark horse community has been very supportive of my journey and I feel I want to give back for people who are getting introduced to the art! The DarkHorse community is my second home and family!
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Instructor
Ross Hanson
BJJ Instructor
Scott Amore
Scott started training in 2008. His favorite aspect of the art is the community and the friends he has made. Scott’s passion is teaching fundamental Jiu Jitsu in a safe, respectful, and fun environment. Off the mats, he enjoys playing guitar and skateboarding with his son Jason.
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BJJ Instructor
Kelly Amore
Professor Kelly started training BJJ in 2008 and joined Dark Horse in 2015.
Kelly earned his black belt in December of 2022.
Kelly’s teaching goals are for every student to have fun, get a great workout, and learn solid fundamental BJJ at every class.
He is particularly interested in teaching every student how to roll safely and prevent injuries to themselves or their training partners.
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BJJ Instructor
Justin Vick
I started training jiu jitsu the week of my 17th birthday in August 2022. My parents tried to get me into every sport they could but I hated them all but jiu jitsu just clicked for me – it’s so awesome.
I very quickly learned that I wanted to share my love of jiu jitsu, and I’ve been coaching ever since.
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