Our Instructors

Master Montana Ganster has been an essential part of The Ganster Karate System since she was a kid. Recently taking over ownership of the dojo, she continues to manage the day-to-day operations as well as teach our children's classes. Despite her busy schedule, Master Montana manages to head the promotion of The Ganster Karate Summer Camp & co-promote the USKO Karate Tournaments. She was previously a co-promoter of The Battle in Berks Karate Tournaments and the event coordinator for the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2015 and honored at the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame in 2019 as well as the ACKKS Line Up of Masters in 2022. Master Montana focuses on discipline and structure while specializing in the significance of basics and real-life application for children and women’s safety.

Since the age of eight, Grand Master Bart L. Ganster has dedicated his life to the martial arts. He earned his first black belt in 1978 and currently holds the rank of 10th degree black belt. GM Ganster has over 55 years of training in different styles with many prestige instructors such as Harry G. Smith and the late Patrick Byrnes. He founded The Ganster Karate System in 1980 and has been serving the Berks County area for over 45 years. GM Ganster holds many awards and recognitions including seven Hall of Fames and six Man of Honor awards. He is the founder of the Isshin Jitsu Federation (IJF) and the United States Karate Organization (USKO) as well as the owner of the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame (PAKHOF). His time at the dojo is spent sharing his knowledge with all students, promoting and teaching seminars all over the United States and giving other instructors the opportunity to spread their knowledge.

Shihan Doaty started his martial arts journey in 1982 and has been with The Ganster Karate System over 40 years, holding the rank of 9th degree black belt. He has received many awards over the years including Man of Honor from Grand Master Ganster and inductions into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame in 2023. Shihan Doaty is the senior student and instructor at the Ganster dojo and has dedicated years of teaching classes, seminars, demonstrations, camps and assisting with tournaments. Shihan Doaty is known for his skills and dedication to perfection of the basics as well as real life application of the system.

Master Frank Formando began studying karate over 40 years ago and joined the Ganster dojo in 1985. He earned his first black belt in 1986 and has been spreading his knowledge since. Master Frank has run numerous seminars and demonstrations and helps provide sponsorships for many Ganster events. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame in 2025, the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2018, held the overall grand championship at the IJF Tournament 2016-2018 as well as multiple grand champion trophies in self defense competition in the 90’s. Master Frank currently runs our seniors class and specializes in self defense and kata.

Master Snook is a man of many styles. He has over 45 years in the martial arts with training in Isshin Ryu, Isshin Jitsu, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do and American Combat Karate. Master Snook has been with the Ganster dojo over 30 years. He has led instruction at our main dojo and satellite locations for many years, as well as assisted Grand Master Ganster with instruction of self defense courses for local law enforcement programs. Being an accomplished martial artist paved the way for him to be a winning competitor in self-defense, kata and sparring. He then seized the opportunity to impart his skills and know-how when he accepted the role of SCM Instructor for the County of Berks from 2003-2010. Master Snook was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2016. He specializes in Aiki Jitsu, self defense and traditional Isshin Ryu techniques.

Master Keith Armao has 50 years in martial arts. He earned his first black belt in 1988, after studying many years prior to joining the Ganster dojo in 1986. Winning numerous competitions in weapons kata, kata and sparring are among his many achievements. Master Armao was a competitor in the Keystone State Games from 1989-2016 and brought home five gold, ten silver and four bronze medals during that time. He also was awarded the Jim Martin Cup in 2016. Master Armao was a 1990 USAKF Regional Qualifier and was named 1990 Karate-Arnis Magazine Competitor of the Year. He was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame in 2022. Master Armao contributes great knowledge and participation in the development of our students to be better martial artists.

Master Zoe has been studying martial arts for fifteen years. She joined the Ganster dojo about thirteen years ago and got her first black belt in 2012. Among many first place and grand champion tournament wins, Master Zoe also held the overall grand championship at the IJF Tournament 2016-2018 and received the Competitor of the Year Award from the World Karate Union in 2017. She often represents the Ganster dojo at tournaments and assists in teaching classes and seminars. Master Zoe specializes in competition sparring, kata and weapons kata.

Sensei Rory Halvorson began his martial arts training in 1994 as a high school student studying Butokukan in Seattle, Washington. He joined The Ganster Karate System in 2017, along with his two sons, and earned his black belt in 2022. Sensei Rory is known for his meticulous cleaning of the dojo floor and has interest in continual learning, especially historical understanding and application of kata.