Instructors
NJHFA Principal Instructor, Meister (Master)
Eric White is a diversified martial arts instructor with over twenty-five years of martial arts experience. An instructor since 1997, Eric has taught martial arts classes in Isshinryu karate and historical fencing. During his time as a student of Isshinryu karate, Eric took advantage of various disciplines offered by his sensei, Doug King of Andover, NJ, and also studied Aikido, Jeet Kune Do, and Ju-jitsu. As a student of Isshinryu, Eric also attained expertise with the bo and sai, traditional Japanese weapons. In 2006 Eric began studying historical fencing with a small group of friends who trained on Sunday mornings in his karate dojo. By 2007 he earned his third-degree black belt in karate and continued his study of historical fencing. In late 2009, having whipped his passion of historical fencing into a frenzied fever, he left Isshinryu karate after 15 years of study to focus solely on historical fencing and joined the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA). Eric left ARMA in July 2012 and formed the New Jersey Historical Fencing Association where he is currently the Principal Instructor. His primary areas of focus and instruction are in the longsword, messer, dagger, dusack, and ringen (wrestling).
Brief overview of martial arts career:
- Began study in June 1994
- Earned first-degree black belt in Isshinryu karate in November 1997
- Assistant Wrestling Coach, Lakeland Regional High School 2004-09
- Began study of historical fencing in 2006
- Best tournament finish in sparring: 2nd place, men’s black-belt division age 18-34, Doug King Invitational Karate Tournament,
- Earned third-degree black belt in Isshinryu karate in June 2007
- Joined ARMA in December 2009
- Earned “Longsword Adept” ranking with ARMA, January 2011
- Formed the New Jersey Historical Fencing Association as Principal Instructor, July 2012
- Officiated tournament finals at Longpoint 2013, July 2013
- Earned “Senior Free Scholar” ranking with the Historical Fencing Affiliates by playing his prize before Provost Aaron Pynenberg of the Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association; 112 bouts, 89-23 win/loss record (79% win percentage) in 53 minutes, November 2013
Shane Brown
NJHFA Instructor, Provost
Shane began studying HEMA with the NJHFA in March of 2017, and has since progressed to the rank of Provost. The highly athletic and deeply historical nature of HEMA enticed Shane to initially dive in. The complex reconstruction and contextual analysis of HEMA that blend the physical and historical elements drive him deeper into the study of the Art. Shane has competed in a number of tournaments, and plans to continue doing so as an avenue to test his understanding of the Art. Shane's primary focuses are the Longsword and Langes Messer.
Jeff Sovelove
NJHFA Instructor, Provost
Jeff began his HEMA journey in May of 2018 and was immediately addicted to the art. He was promoted to Scholar in October of the same year and earned the rank of Free Scholar in November of 2021. HEMA fits in well with his love of history, his passion for staying fit, and his general enthusiasm for interests that engage both the mind and body. Jeff studies and teaches sword and buckler in the style of MS I.33 (the Walpurgis Fechtbuch) and the longsword teachings of Jude Lew. Jeff also enjoys a number of other weapons such as rapier, messer, broadsword, and smallsword. Jeff earned his rank of Provost in April of 2024. When he's not fencing he is a certified rescue diver, photographer, and longtime correspondent for a local news website in Morristown.
