Sensei Kurt Tezel began training with Shorin-Ryu Karate USA in 1999 under Hanshi Robert Scaglione under whom he continues to train. Sensei Tezel founded the Merritt Island Dojo in 2011. Sensei Tezel was promoted to the rank of Sixth degree Black Belt in February 2017.

Sensei Tezel is a practitioner of the Sai (three pronged ancient sword-blocking weapon). Sensei Tezel is self-employed with a family owned and operated commercial real estate investment company. He is married to Tricia and they have four children. Their oldest child, Trevor, and their youngest child, Kevin, both attained the rank of black belt.

Sensei Tezel teaches class on Wednesday nights at 6pm and Friday mornings at 6:30am.