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Gracie Barra is no ordinary martial arts organization. Students enjoy access to over 700 Gracie Barra Schools worldwide, professional-quality Jiu-Jitsu gear and online resources to further their training. We promote a holistic perspective to Jiu-Jitsu, including physical and mental wellness. All GB Schools are supervised by a Gracie Barra certified instructor, who supports students and helps each one achieve their potential through challenging training programs. Each class at Gracie Barra Kirkland is customized to offer maximum benefit for the students in attendance.
OUR INSTRUCTORS AND COACHES
Meet the Team at Gracie Barra Kirkland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Joshua Bacallao
Head Instructor
Prof. Bacallao is a second-degree black belt in BJJ who has dedicated his life to martial arts. The Florida native actively competes in no-gi and submission-only tournaments and is regarded as one of the best no-gi grapplers in the country.
Most recently, Bacallao has won NoGi IBJJF titles in Los Angeles, Austin, Portland, Phoenix and at American Nationals in Las Vegas. He is also a former MMA fighter with a 6-3 record.
Solange Reyner
Professor & Program Director
Solange is a black belt in BJJ and an active competitor. She is a silver NoGi World IBJJF medalist at purple belt and a bronze World IBJJF medalist at blue belt. Solange teaches women’s classes at GB Kirkland and also has a nonprofit that offers affordable self-defense training for women, Take the Back Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense.
Garrick Bennett
Professor
Professor Garrick has been training in martial arts since 2009. He started with taekwondo and kickboxing then moved into MMA before settling into jiu jitsu at Gracie Barra Ballard, where he realized the techniques he was learning helped him outperform other grapplers. He trained in Ballard for four years then came to GB Kirkland in 2014 as a blue belt. Garrick received his purple and brown belt under Cindy Hales and his black belt under Joshua Bacallao in December 2021. Garrick actively competed through the color belts and has enjoyed building up the schools’ morning crew.
Kris Peterson
Assistant Instructor
Kris, a purple belt under Prof. Bacallao, leads our Saturday kids’ classes and assists in our juniors classes. He started wrestling when he was 5 and took up jiu jitsu on his dad’s recommendation at 20 after watching a lot of MMA. Kris is one of our best coaches and really connects with the kids.