Instructors
Prof Hillary Kaplowitz is Dojo Cho of the Pacific JuJitsu Kai Ohana and holds the nationally recognized rank of 7th degree black belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu and the title of Professor from the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF). In 2025, they were elected as Vice President of the AJJF. Prof Kaplowitz began training as a youth and has been teaching martial arts since 2000, promoting 10 students to the rank of black belt and beyond. Learn more about Prof Kaplowitz.
Sensei Ralph Rosas is Co-Sensei at Pacific JuJitsu Kai-Palms. He trained with Prof Kaplowitz’s for many years and now holds the nationally recognized rank of 3rd degree black belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Sensei Rosas has been teaching alongside Prof Kaplowitz for over 15 years and has served the organization (AJJF) as regional black belt exam coordinator.
Sensei Nathalie Chapple is a Senior Instructor at Pacific JuJitsu Kai-Palms, Sensei of Pacific JuJitsu Keiki Kai, and serves the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF) on the Board of Directors as the Chair of the Council of Senior Instructors. Sensei Chapple holds the nationally recognized rank of 4th degree black belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu and was Prof Kaplowitz’s first student to reach the rank of black belt in the dojo and their first student to open their own dojo.
Assistant Instructors
At Pacific JuJitsu Kai, all students learn to teach as part of their training curriculum since that is one of the best ways to learn. As students progress to higher ranks, they will be asked to teach more often. Students who are dedicated to helping run classes can become Official Assistant Instructors who take on more responsibility in the dojo. Currently, Janis Robertson is an Assistant Instructor at our UCLA Martial Arts Program Danzan Ryu Jujitsu class.
Service to the AJJF
We also encourage students to volunteer for American Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF). Currently Prof Kaplowitz is Vice President of the Executive Council, Sensei Nathalie Chapple is on the Board of Directors as the Chair of the Council of Senior Instructors, and Aromalyn Magtira is one of the CSI Representatives.
Previously Prof Kaplowitz has served as Southwest Regional Manager and Exam Coordinator, National Manager of Regions, and was a Member at Large for the EC before becoming VP. Ephraim Schwartz served as SW Regional Manager and Ralph Rosas as SW Exam Coordinator, followed by Aromalyn Magtira in that role. Sasan Parwar was on the Kata Manual Committee.