Erik Harris, Head Instructor

Beginning in 1984, Erik studied Poekoelan Tja Kalong, the Bat system of an Indonesian martial art taught by Great Grandmaster Willem Reeders, for a year and a half under Cheryl Dolce. Since 1990, Erik has been studying another system based on Reeders’ teachings, under Sifu George Reyngoudt at the Academy of Chinese-Indonesian Fighting Arts in Rochester, NY. The art, which can be called Liu Seong Gung Fu or Liu Seong Chuan Fa, is based on the combination of Chinese and Indonesian martial arts that Master Reeders taught. Erik earned a rank of third degree black sash at the academy. In March, 2005, Erik became a direct student of Mr. Joe Salomone, who is also Sifu Reyngoudt’s teacher. In 2008, Erik earned an orange (instructor’s) sash from Mr. Salomone and Sifu Reyngoudt.

Erik went to Cornell University in 1996 and joined the Shaolin Kung Fu Association at Cornell, where he had exposure to a variety of arts. When the founding members graduated in 1998, Erik became the club’s Vice President and primary instructor. He and the other officers decided to rename the club to the Chinese Martial Arts Association at Cornell (Archived web page here). Erik graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering in May 2000, and returned to Rochester.

Erik moved to Northern Virginia in March 2002. In 2003, he began offering public instruction in Liu Seong Gung Fu through the Franconia Rec Center with his teacher’s support and encouragement.

In addition to recurring classes, Erik has taught in seminars for more than 20 years, including seminars in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina.

Chris Colombo, Occasional Guest Instructor

Chris’ martial arts exposure began in college in 1995 when his roommate began teaching him a Northern Praying Mantis kung fu system. When college ended, Chris and his teacher parted ways, and Chris sought other instruction. Beginning in 1996, Chris has been studying under Sifu George Reyngoudt at the Academy of Chinese-Indonesian Fighting Arts in Rochester, NY. Chris earned a rank of second degree black sash at the academy. In March, 2007, Chris became a direct student of Mr. Joe Salomone, who is also Sifu George Reyngoudt’s and Sifu Erik Harris’ teacher.

Chris moved to Maryland in June 2006. In December he began training with Sifu Erik Harris and helping teach Liu Seong Gung Fu with Sifu Erik at his school through the Franconia Rec Center. In 2010, Chris moved away from the DC area for work, but he always has a place at the front of our class whenever he’s in town.