INSTRUCTORS

INSTRUCTOR & FOUNDER OF BRMA

A native of Mitchell County, North Carolina, Rick Sparks is a dedicated karate practitioner, instructor, and founder of BRMA. With over five decades of experience in martial arts, Rick Sparks has become a respected figure in the karate community, known for his commitment to both personal excellence and the growth of his students.

Rooted in the core values of karate—respect, perseverance, self-control, and confidence—Rick Sparks’s teaching philosophy emphasizes strong fundamentals and personal development. His approach inspires students to build character, discipline, and resilience, both on and off the mat.

Achievements & Credentials:

• 51 years in martial arts
• 46 years as an instructor
• Black Belt Ranks: Shito-Ryo (5th Degree), Kenpo (7th Degree), Kidokimi-Ryu (8th Degree), Shodan Black Belt from      Cancer Warriors, Shito-Ryo Kudan (9th Degree)
• Multiple tournament and Grand Championship  wins

Major Honors:

• Inducted into the Legends of Carolina (2018)
• Appointment to Kyoshi (2018)
• Inducted into the AMAA Hall of Fame (2022)
• Appointment to Hanshi (2025)
• G.O.A.T Award Hall of Fame (2025)
• Inducted into the American Freestyle Hall of      Fame (2025)

As a proud member of the Mitchell County community, Rick Sparks is committed to sharing the benefits of martial arts with students of all ages and backgrounds. 

Benny Varney began his karate journey in 1979, training in Ku Stuami Karate under respected instructors Don Madden (National AAU Coach), Brent Bias, and Jim Cottrell. Over the decades, he has combined traditional fundamentals with competitive experience, building a reputation for disciplined training, steady leadership, and a commitment to helping others grow through martial arts.

Achievements and Credentials

•  Currently a Yondan (4th-degree) black belt and an instructor at BRMA under Grandmaster Rick Sparks
• 1st seed West Virginia AAU State Champion (2 years)
•  South Carolina State Champion (Heavyweight Division)
•  West Virginia State Champion (Heavyweight Division)
• Sempai at Blue Ridge Martial Arts
• Won numerous kumite tournament championships
•  Trained alongside state and national champions in sparring and advanced workouts

Ben is retired from teaching in the Yancey County School District. Today, his focus is on providing high-quality martial arts instruction for the community through Blue Ridge Martial Arts, where he works with students of varying ages and experience levels. He is known for emphasizing strong basics, safe and respectful training, and the kind of steady repetition that builds confidence, conditioning, technique and real skill over time.

As an instructor and mentor, Ben aims to help students set achievable goals, stay consistent, and understand that progress comes from patience and disciplined practice. Ben strives to create an environment where hard work is matched with encouragement—and where the values of martial arts extend beyond the dojo into everyday life.

Dean Grindstaff began training in karate in the 1980s. After time away from the martial arts, he returned to the dojo in 2021 under the guidance of Grandmaster Rick Sparks—recommitting himself to consistent practice, continued development, and helping others grow through training. Dean is now a black belt instructor at Blue Ridge Martial Arts (BRMA), where he proudly supports the school’s mission of providing free karate classes to the community.

At BRMA, Dean enjoys working with students of different ages and experience levels, helping them build strong fundamentals while also developing the confidence and focus that come from consistent practice. He believes martial arts should be accessible to everyone, and he is proud to support Blue Ridge Martial Arts’ community-first approach.
Achievements and Credentials

• Black Belt (1st Dan), Shito-Ryu Karate - Under Grandmaster Rick Sparks
• Black Belt (1st Dan), Kidokime Karate - Under Grandmaster Rick Sparks
• Active tournament competitor across the southeastern U.S. With a focus on sparring & weapons
• Winner of multiple local tournaments
• 1st place Men's Over 35 Division at the 2022 ISKA U.S. Open World Championships in Orlando, FL 
• Trained in boxing and Krav Maga
• Attended seminars with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace

Outside the dojo, Dean is an active member of the community. He is an attorney in Mitchell County, North Carolina, with a practice focused primarily on criminal defense and real estate closings. A former civil attorney, he currently serves as a Mitchell County Recovery Court Attorney and remains dedicated to community outreach.

Bo Curtis began studying karate in 1979 and has continued training for decades across multiple locations—from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, to Bermuda. He has studied a range of karate styles and values the opportunity to share what he has learned with others. As an instructor at Blue Ridge Martial Arts (BRMA), Bo especially enjoys encouraging and engaging with students.

Achievements & Credentials

• Trained in Asheville, North Carolina, with Larry Hodge for seven years
•  Trained in multiple karate styles
• Studied Kenpo in Panama City, Florida
• Studied Kenpo in Bermuda
• Trained at the Martial Arts Training Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Earned a 2nd-degree black belt through the Martial Arts Training Center
• Earned a 3rd-degree black belt through Grandmaster Rick Sparks
• 2026 Earnde 4th-degree Black Belt under Grandmaster Rick Sparks

Outside the dojo, Bo is an active member of Grassy Creek Baptist Church and Gideons International. He is a proud father of three children and the grandfather of nine grandchildren, with two great-grandchildren.

Steve began studying karate in 2018 alongside his son. He currently trains under Grandmaster Rick Sparks and is working toward his 2nd-degree black belt. As an instructor at Blue Ridge Martial Arts, Steve enjoys both training and teaching, and he is proud to support the dojo’s mission of providing free karate classes for the community. His instruction emphasizes fundamentals, accuracy, and steady progress.

Accomplishments & Credentials

• Won numerous tournaments in the region
• Received instructor certification
• Currently training for his 2nd-degree black belt

Steve is an active member of the community, and he and his son, Seth, have enjoyed sharing their martial arts journey together since 2018. He especially enjoys seeing students build confidence and skill through consistent practice, and he works to make every class encouraging, and focused on solid technique.

  At 20 years old, Joshua Wirtz is Blue Ridge Martial Arts’ youngest instructor. He is the son of Teresa and Joseph Wirtz. Joshua is a black belt trained in Kenpo and Shito-Ryu Karate and began his martial arts journey at age 11. Joshua has had the privilege of learning from many instructors at BRMA, and he is proud to give back by helping provide free karate classes for the community.

· Rick Sparks

· Ben Varney

· Curtis “Bo” Deaton

· Steve Queen

· Dean Grindstaff

· Bobby Briggs

· Marybeth Briggs

· Doug Parish

· Heath Hall

· Hudson Hall

· Hank Phillips 

· Rochy Branch

· and many more

Joshua’s martial arts journey has required persistence and hard work. He credits his teachers for pushing him to grow through high standards and consistent practice. The lessons he has learned along the way have helped shape him not only as a martial artist, but also as a person.

Joshua has competed in numerous tournaments, including the ISKA U.S. Open. He is one of seven children and was homeschooled using a classical education approach. He currently attends Mayland Community College and enjoys teaching—sharing what he has learned and encouraging students as they build confidence, discipline, and skill.

Samantha is our amazing dojo mom,  multitasking, superpower! She keeps our dojo running smoothly and our students supported every step of the way. 

Born and raised in California, Samantha developed a strong foundation in both education and youth leadership early on. She worked as a country line dance instructor and graduated college with three degrees in child development and general education.

In 2007, Samantha relocated to North Carolina, where she continued her dedication to working with children and families. In 2017, she became the cheer coach for Mitchell County Recreation, working with students in grades 3 through 6. She currently serves as the cheer coach for kindergarten through second grade at Mitchell County Recreation, inspiring confidence, teamwork, and enthusiasm in young athletes.

Samantha is deeply committed to supporting her community. She is the Co‑Director of the Miss High & Low Country Caring Crowns Pageant, an annual event held in Mitchell County, North Carolina, that focuses on service, leadership, and personal growth.

In addition to her role at the dojo, Samantha is a North Carolina Board‑Certified Paralegal. She serves as the Real Estate Paralegal and Office Manager at B. Dean Grindstaff Law.

Her passion for education, community involvement, and youth development makes Samantha an invaluable part of the Blue Ridge Martial Arts family.