Sensei Andy Foertsch

Sensei Foertsch holds the aikido rank of godan (5th degree black belt) in the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. He began his training in 1972 in Chicago at  what was then the Illinois Aikido Club under Akira Tohei. When Tohei Sensei left in 1975 he continued  training under  the original students, Lester Katsura, Yuki Hara, Red Sakomoto, and Joe Takahara until the Dojo became affiliated with Saotome Sensei in the late 1970′s. When Sensei Foertsch moved to St. Pete in 1980 he began training in Sarasota with Ikeda Sensei until he  he moved to Boulder and then continued with Dwayne (Pee Wee ) Jones and Steve McPeck  for several more years. When Messores  Sensei returned to the St. Pete area Sensei Foertsch began training with him and has been affiliated with him since 1982. He is a professional musician and a Music Specialist currently working as an elementary music teacher in Pinellas County. He currently teaches the Wednesday evening intermediate class, 7:40-8:40