Train With Our Jiu Jitsu Experts
Jiu Jitsu Instructors & Coaches at GRACIE BARRA Clearwater
We believe martial arts are a powerful tool in helping individuals discover their inner strength.
Gracie Barra Clearwater
Instructors
John Keller
Owner At Gracie Barra Clearwater
John Keller is the owner and head instructor of Gracie Barra Clearwater. John had been training in different martial arts since he was a teenager but found Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2004 and immediately focused all of his time training jiu-jitsu under Eduardo De Lima.
After reaching blue belt, John added muay thai and MMA training under Roger Patrizzi. At purple belt, John began teaching classes at Gracie Barra Clearwater and gained competition experience in jiu-jitsu and MMA.
Since then, John has dedicated himself to teaching classes for all ages as well as specific classes for Law Enforcement. John believes in being able to teach jiu-jitsu in a safe and fun environment for all types of practitioners. John is currently a 3rd-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Benjamin Castellano
Instructor at Gracie Barra Clearwater
Ben is a self-defense instructor, kids class coach, and co teacher for the Gracie Barra woman’s only program along with his partner Beatrice Lopez. His mission to serve the community by helping people reach their self-defense goals in a safe, fun, and practical manner.
Ben brings over 30 years of martial arts experience in different styles and over 20 years of teaching experience in private and group class settings. He has worked with clients as young as 4 and as old as 82. He is currently a 4th degree purple belt under head instructor and owner of Gracie Barra Clearwater Professor John Keller.
Ben is inspired daily by his two sons. When Ben isn’t teaching people how to protect themselves you can find him in the ballroom teaching singles and couples the art of ballroom and Latin dance.
Dryden Dennis
Wrestling Instructor at Gracie Barra Clearwater
Dryden began wrestling at age 10 and has been competing and coaching for 20 years. Throughout his career he has competed in folk style/collegiate, freestyle, and Greco Roman wrestling styles.
In high school Dryden was a state runner up, 3x state placer, and was on the Florida National Team for freestyle and Greco Roman. In college, Dryden was a Division 1 wrestler for the University of Oklahoma where he was a 3 year letterwinner.
Throughout his wrestling career he has trained with and been coached by multiple Olympians and D1 National Champions.
He has begun training jiu jitsu and is excited to bring his experience to Gracie Barra Clearwater as the wrestling coach.