Shay Muscarella commenced his martial arts training in Taekwondo with the Young Olympians in 2000. The following year, he joined his father at the American Kenpo Karate Academy (AKKA). Mr. Muscarella’s unwavering dedication to his training has always been legendary. For instance, despite sustaining a back injury during his youth, he continued to actively train Kenpo while wearing a hard body brace.

In 2005, Mr. Muscarella transitioned to training with the American Institute of Kenpo (AIK) and continued his pursuit of a black belt. He commenced instructing in 2007 and has since become a pivotal instructor for numerous years. Although he is no longer actively involved in daily teaching, all individuals who train under Mr. Muscarella’s guidance find their knowledge significantly enhanced by the experience.

In addition to Kenpo, Mr. Muscarella has pursued training in boxing, kickboxing, Jiu-jitsu, and MMA under the guidance of AIK and other reputable institutions. From 2016 to 2017, he actively participated in amateur boxing and kickboxing competitions, maintaining an undefeated record. During this period, he had the privilege of residing at the Jackson Wink MMA gym for a week, where he trained alongside renowned world-class fighters, including Holly Holm.

Mr. Muscarella endorses the AIK advanced sparring classes. In these classes, he further develops and refines boxing, kickboxing, Jiu-jitsu, and MMA skills. Participants in these classes consistently enjoy training with him due to his exceptional abilities, which enable him to be an ideal training partner for individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned practitioners.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Mr. Muscarella has joined the fire department as a first responder. He has and continues to assist in the certification of AIK instructors in CPR and First Aid. As an integral part of this father-son duo, Mr. Muscarella brings a significant amount of humor and entertainment to the process.

The American Institute of Kenpo expresses its profound gratitude for the privilege of being a part of this exceptional young man’s martial arts journey. We are deeply appreciative of the invaluable experience he brings to our organization, which he generously shares with all those he collaborates with.

~ Last Update 3/10/2025