Meet The Masters
Professor Gary Lee
Phone713.483.0476
Emailprofessorgarylee@gmail.com
Founder, Creator & Event Director
Professor Gary Lee is a highly respected 9th-Dan martial artist, widely recognized for his tireless efforts in preserving the legacy of sport karate in America.
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Founder of the Museum of Sport Karate
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Established the Sport Karate Museum Archives, dedicated to preserving the history of sport karate, especially from the “Golden Age” (1946–1999).
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Recognitions include:
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“Historian of the Year” (2010) by the International Ryukyu Karatejutsu Research Society Honor Roll Hall of Fame.
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“Founder Award” (2010) by the United States Black Belt Hall of Fame.
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9th-Degree Black Belt & Titles
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Holds a 9th-Dan ranking and was conferred a “Professorship of the Martial Arts” in Hawaii in 2002.
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Innovator & Event Producer
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Produced Texas Karate All-Stars shows at Six Flags (1984–1997), performing thousands of live demonstrations.
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Star performer in Astroworld’s Hollywood Stunt Show in Houston.
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Creator of Kids Expo to introduce children to martial arts.
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Produced multiple Living Legends Celebrity Roasts honoring pioneers in martial arts.
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Co-founded Black Belt TV, one of the first Internet channels dedicated to martial arts content.
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Founded Top Texas Ten Black Belt Ratings, highlighting top performers statewide.
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Writer & Media Contributor
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Regular contributor for USADOJO.com with his “Kabuki Warrior Tales” column.
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Staff writer for outlets like Worldwide Dojo and Masters Hall of Fame Magazine
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Event Organizer—Living Legends Youth Conference
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Hosts the annual Living Legends Youth Conference, including the 2024 “Karate Kihon” in Houston—an action-packed, family-oriented event. Featuring the wonderose superheroes signings autographs, Hall of Fame inductions, tournaments, and more
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Sifu Charles Graham
Phone 936.324.8360
Ex-Producer
Sifu Charles Graham is a senior and highly respected practitioner of several Chinese martial arts with significant national and international influence:
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He studied directly under Grandmaster Madame Wang Jurong and Sifu Jeff Bolt, making him part of a distinguished lineage. He is also identified as the Kung Fu “grandson” of Dr. Yang Jwing Ming.
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Competition Legend: Graham was a five-time international gold medalist before retiring from competition in 1991, after which he pursued a career in coaching.
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San Shou (Chinese Kickboxing) Expertise: He has officiated as the Chief Referee for San Shou in major events like the Taiji-Legacy International Martial Arts Championships, the US Wushu Union National Championships, and the AAU/Chinese Martial Arts National Championships. He also holds an official International San Shou Referee Certification from the People's Republic of China.
Coaching & Leadership Roles
Coach Graham has successfully trained and led multiple San Shou fighters to the national stage, where his athletes have secured more than eight championship titles. In addition to his coaching achievements, he also proved his own competitive excellence by earning a National San Shou/Da Gold Medal. His expertise and leadership were further recognized when he was selected to serve as a USA Team Coach, representing the nation in international competition.
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Recognized expert in:
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Northern Shaolin
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Fukien White Crane
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Yang-style Taiji
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San Shou
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Modern Wushu
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Serves as Director of "Shaolin Kung Fu" in Houston, TX.
Additional Expertise
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Beyond martial arts, Sifu Graham works in the private maritime security industry (Homeland Security). He operates as an Information Technology Specialist and provides hand-to-hand anti-terrorism training.
Producer, Photographer, Journalist, and Artist
Charles Graham is a Houston-based photographer, video producer, and multimedia artist with a diverse creative portfolio spanning live events, photojournalism, commercial media, and episodic video production.
He has worked extensively in the music industry, covering major festivals and internationally recognized artists such as Iggy Pop, Interpol, and Metric, among others. His visual storytelling also extends to charity galas and entertainment-based poker events, where he has captured both the energy and the human moments behind the scenes.
A graduate of the University of Houston, where he studied Communications and Journalism, Charles continued his professional development with extended studies at the New York Film School.
Beyond photography and film, Charles is also an avid designer and fine artist, specializing in digital design and oil painting. His photography has been published in respected outlets including The Boston Globe, The Houston Chronicle, Rolling Stone, Food & Wine Magazine, and many others. In addition, he has co-produced projects for A&E.
Adding another layer to his creative journey, Charles is also a classically trained chef. He is currently in pre-production for his original cooking web series, The Kungfu Café, set to launch in early 2026, blending his passions for culinary arts, storytelling, and visual media.
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Master Robert Hartfield
Phone 936.324.8360
Co-Director
Sifu Robert Hartfield has dedicated over five decades to the study and practice of martial arts, earning recognition as both a respected teacher and competitor. He holds a 7th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, as well as a 5th Degree Black Belt awarded under the esteemed Master Sensei Bill Sosa. While his martial journey began in the United States under Grandmaster Johnny Lee at Lee’s White Leopard Kung Fu School, Sifu Hartfield’s true passion has always been rooted in the traditional Chinese martial arts of Wushu and Kung Fu.
To further his training, he traveled to China, where he immersed himself for five years in both Beijing and Shanghai. During this time, he studied at the Wutaishan Training Facility under the guidance of Master Zan Zhiguo and later at the Beijing Cultural Sport Institute under the legendary Grandmaster Wu Bin, renowned worldwide for coaching international champions. Under Grandmaster Wu, Sifu Hartfield earned his official Instructor Certification, solidifying his role as both practitioner and teacher of the art.
His studies in China encompassed a range of traditional systems, including Long Fist, Eagle Claw, and Tai Chi, each shaping his unique approach to martial training. Beyond empty-hand systems, Sifu Hartfield is also a master of more than sixteen traditional Chinese weapons. He is particularly renowned for his expertise with flexible weapons, such as the rope dart, steel whip, double steel whips, and the three-sectional staff—skills that demand exceptional precision, coordination, and discipline.
Recognized as both a Wushu Master and Texas Icon, Sifu Hartfield has been honored by the Sports Karate Museum during the Youth Meet the Pioneers Conference as a “Texas Icon Fighter” and pioneer of Wushu competition in Texas. These distinctions highlight his role not only as a skilled practitioner but also as a trailblazer who helped establish Wushu as a respected competitive art in the region.
Today, Sifu Robert Hartfield is celebrated not only for his technical mastery but also for his lifelong dedication to preserving, promoting, and sharing the heritage of Chinese martial arts with new generations of students. Widely regarded as a distinguished figure in Houston’s martial arts community—especially in the field of Wushu—we are honored to have him serve as Co-Director of this event.