"Grand Opening in Rochester New Owners: Ann Colasurdo and Mark Sanson A new business in Fairport, N.Y. and a new location for American Martial Arts students thanks to Miss Ann Colasurdo and Mr. Mark Sanson. Two more black belt instructors have followed in Master Allen Hillicoss's footsteps by opening a martial arts full-time school location for the students of the American Martial Arts Institute. Teaching American Eagle Style, this location follows the standards and structure of the Utica and Albany locations. The Grand Opening left no doubt of the skill and quality of the instructors at the Rochester location. With some assistance from Utica and Albany instructors, plus special performances by Rochester Junior black belts and demonstration team members, the day was very educational and entertaining. With prizes and and cake, spectators enjoyed seeing some of the tradition of the martial arts such as katas along with the excitement of meditation breaks demanding mental focus. The following are just a few of the pictures and individuals that helped make this opening fun and exciting. Grand Master Crandall and the owners of the school's newest location, Ann colasurdo, center and Mark Sanson to her right. Junior Black Belt Brian Long (left) doing Old Koryo and demonstration team members Eric Legeer (front) doing "Eye of the Eagle" and Nicholas Fabbio (back) executing "Chulgi I" Black Belt Student James Colasurdo performing traditional Iaido, "Takanouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno" Ten-no-kata. Master Jill Crandall who also performed the traditional Tai Chi Chaun form here is doing with the half-moon-staff kata which she won a bronz medal with in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1997. In the center is instructor Patrick McNeil beginning his multiple break with a jump center kick. Instructor Ann Colasurdo (left) and Senior Instructor Cheryl Freleigh (right) as they both finish their barefoot walk through a tray of broken glass. Chief Instructor Linda Moller extended between two chairs while Master Hillicoss swings the sledge hammer that smashes two patio blocks on her solar plexis. (Left)instructor Mark Huth breaking wood with an ax kick. (right) Instructor Terry Hommel breaking cinder blocks with a hammer fist. Instructor Mark Sanson performing the final break of the day by standing barefoot in a tray of broken glass and Executing a lunge punch through a stack of four boards. The afternoon of excitement was concluded by a self-defense demonstration which involved control as well as defensive moves by instructor Ann Colasurdo and her partner instructor Mark Sanson. "Let them eat cake" was heard as Grand Master Crandall (front) Ann Colasurdo (center) and Mark Sanson joined together to cut the cake for this special Celebration. It is truly exciting to see such growth and to realize the number of programs a martial arts school such as this one can provide for the community it is in.