About the Instructor

2025_instructor_camp Sifu Matthew (Matt) Fanning is the head instructor of the Hudson Valley NY chapter of Phoenix Martial Arts. The journey started in 2007 under Sifu Dustin Santomenna in an after school program teaching Filipino Martial Arts. This led him to join the main program at Phoenix Martials Arts Massachusetts.

His teacher trained and taught out of Terrinha Draculino Team Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu where Sifu Matt also enrolled in 2010 and in effort to pressure test his knowledge he participated in his first BJJ competition in 2011.

Sifu Matt would often travel with Sifu Dustin to seminars for his teacher Sifu Greg Pichardo and the founder of the Magda Institute Association Sifu Cass Magda. This sparked a passion to go out and seek information.

Over the years he has attended countless seminars, Sifu Matt has been able to see some of the greats within JKD/Kali/Silat ecosystem, Dan Inosanto, Tim Tackett, and Chris Kent, but he has also attended Catch Wrestling, Hapkido, Mauy Thai, and BJJ seminars. No one style has all the answers and without perspective you will never know what you are missing.

Here are some of the milestones within Sifu Matt's journey so far...

  • In 2015, he received his purple belt under Professor Terrinha after winning the Super Heavy Weight division of the Caxcudo Cup. He adventured for the first time to the Italian Magda Institute Association Summer camp in Rimini Italy.

  • In 2016, he was able to meet the legend Guro Dan Inosanto along with attending the Italian Summer Camp again. Marked the first of many trips to California for Sifu Cass's Annual Silat Camp.

  • In 2017, he returned to California for the "Fight Tactics of the Masters" Kali / Escrima seminar, traveling with fellow cohort Sifu Nathan Marinone.

  • In 2018, Sifu Matt moved back to his home state of New York and began teaching privately while attending workshops and seminars by Sifu Greg Pichardo. Outside of the organization, the training never stopped, from boxing club to BJJ mats, he continued training and sharpening his skills.

  • In 2019, he was recognized as an instructor within both the Magda Institute Association (MIA) and Phoenix Martial Arts (PMA) organizations

    • "Art is never finished, only abandoned" - Leonardo da Vinci

  • In 2023, the east coast chapters "invaded" the MIA HQ for the Silat camp, Sifu Matt also received the next instructor rank within Magda Institute Association

  • In 2025, he was able to attend the Titans of JKD Seminar in Miami for Sifu Chris Kent & Sifu Cass Magda and attend the Magda Institute Association Instructor Conference


    • Sifu Matt is excited and actively seeking new students. If you are interested in training feel free to call or text @ 475-237-7587
    or checkout the Facebook page