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
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
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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Thai Boxing Instructor
Ryan "Mars Bar" Marr
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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.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNlejwDOjxH/?igsh=anFwdmN5dmRwcHY%3D
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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
Joe Litwack
Joe joined Darkhorse in 2022 following a decade in endurance sports. An active competitor, he thrives on hard training, testing limits, and developing new jiu-jitsu systems in a safe, supportive environment. Joes is passionate about coaching, breaking down technical challenges, and helping our student community grow.
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BJJ Instructor
Keegan Ropp
Keegan began his jiu jitsu journey at Dark Horse in 2015. An ex high-school wrestler, he originally joined in an effort to return to grappling and quickly realized that it would become a lifetime obsession.
On the mat, Keegan enjoys competition and pushing himself to be better with every visit to the mat. Within that growth, he has enjoyed feeling the community help to lift him up and aims to return the favor in kind by helping to teach future generations.
Off the mats, he tries his best to be a good father and husband while rising to the challenge of everyday life. When he finds time outside of that, he enjoys running on both the street and trails as well as hiking through the beautiful mountains of Colorado with his family.
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