Keith Taylor Shihan

8th Degree Blackbelt

Head Instructor

Born in Birmingham, England, Taylor Sensei (8th dan Shihan) began Martial Arts training at the age of 18. Graduated from university in 1980 with an Engineering degree, went on to start his own successful structural engineering firm in 1997. During the preceding years through diligent and intensive training, Taylor Sensei was awarded senior ranking in several Martial Arts, including Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Arnis, and Kickboxing. Taylor Sensei’s main love was Hapkido with its circular movements, here he attained the rank of fifth dan. While in Toronto in 1984, Keith Sensei was looking for something different and found a more inclusive system. A system better suited towards harmony and spirit, one that encompassed a clear regiment of movement and direction; Yoshinkan Aikido. Taylor Sensei’s training in Aikido has gone through many phases, greatly influence by several world renowned teachers, the most current being Yasuhisa Shioda

Andrew McBride Shihan

6th Degree Blackbelt

Senior Instructor

With 25 years of experience Andrew McBride Shihan is internationally renowned, having taught throughout North America and all over the world (Brazil, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey). Andrew McBride Shihan started Aikido at the Royal Military College, receiving his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1998.  In 2008, he was requested to accompany Shioda Kancho (9th) on his 2008 North America tour as his secondary Uke, he then was selected to attend the International Instructor Course the following year, graduating from the 19th Senshusei at the Headquarters Dojo in Tokyo. In 2013, McBride Sensei received special recognition at the International All Yoshinkan Demonstration in 2014 and won the top Uke award in 2015. He was then promptly invited back to Japan as the Chief Foreign Instructor at the Headquarters Dojo which he fulfilled for two years, moving back to Vancouver in late 2017. He continues to serve Shioda Soke as his Uke and teaches at both Aikido BC dojos.