Andy Foertsch Sensei

Sensei Andy Foertsch (Instructor) is a 5th degree black belt (Godan), and has been training and teaching in Aikido for over 30 years. In 1974 he began serious training in Chicago at the Illinois Aikido Club where he studied under Senseis Akira Tohei, Frank Knapp, Joe Takahara, and Red Sakamoto. Eventually, the Illinois Aikido Club affiliated with Shihan Mitsugi Saotome, Sensei Foertsch continued his training under Saotome Sensei and Shihan-dai Shigeru Suzuki.

During that time he was also privileged to attend seminars with Senseis Frank Doran, Terry Dobson and Michio Hikitsuchi. After moving to Florida in 1980 he continued his training with Shihan Hiroshi Ikeda until Ikeda Sensei moved to Boulder, Colorado. For several more years he trained with Sensei Steve McPeck and Sensei PeeWee Jones in Sarasota. He began training with Sensei John Messores in 1982 in the St. Petersburg area and has continued to this day as a member of the St. Petersburg Aikikai / Jihonjuku Academy.

He has been married for 30 years and currently works as an elementary school Music Specialist. He also performs as a freelance Jazz trombonist in the Tampa Bay area and occasionally leads his own group.