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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

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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.

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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.

Trevor Brown

Assistant Instructor

Trevor is a purple belt under Prof. Bacallao. He discovered jiu jitsu while studying in California, drawn in by its unique blend of strategy, athleticism, and competition. With a background in rowing, rock climbing, and yoga, Trevor found that jiu
jitsu offered both a physical challenge and a mental edge that deeply resonated with him. After relocating to the Seattle area, he continued his training and competition journey with Gracie Barra Kirkland, where
he benefited from strong mentorship and a welcoming, tight-knit community. Now as a coach, Trevor strives to offer others the same support, guidance, and welcoming environment that helped shape his own jiu jitsu journey.

Kris Peterson