Sensei Laurinda Marcello has been the lead instructor for Kenwa Karate of Sitka since 2013. She grew up in Sitka and started taking karate as a child. She later continued her karate education in Juneau where she also served as an assistant instructor. She had the opportunity to travel and train with world-renowned instructor Sensei Katsutaka Tanaka who awarded her first black belt. She believes learning karate should be life-long. She continues to train under her very first instructor, Sensei Michael Taylor, who now teaches in Wasilla. Sensei Marcello has also served as a judge for state, regional, and national karate tournaments.
Outside of the dojo Laurinda holds an M.S. in Fisheries. She works as the Office Manager for Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust and Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. She enjoys exploring the outdoors around Sitka with her family.