Michael Parrella
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Master Instructor or Sifu Michael Parrella (1967) is a 6th Degree Black Belt (Red Sash) in Kung-Fu and one of three of the top disciples in the United States of Grandmaster Chan Tai San. He is Grandmaster Chan’s senior student of his Choy Lee Fut Style
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[edit] Biography
Parrella began his training at the age of 14 while growing up in Queens, New York. He first trained the Japanese martial art, Aiki-jutsu. Two years on, he began to learn several other styles of Kung-Fu from different masters: Wing Chun, Hung Ga, Monkey Style and Northern Shaolin. A few years later, he was introduced to and began training with one of the greatest martial artists in history, Grandmaster Chan Tai-San.
After many years of training with Grandmaster Chan, Parrella was made his “disciple” by the Grandmaster in a formal adoption ceremony. Parrella is also the top student of Grandmaster Chan in the Choy Lay Fut style and has been named his successor. Although the Grandmaster had taught Parrella many styles, including The Tibetan Lama Pai Style, Bok Mei (White Eyebrow style), Monkey Style, Mok Family Style, and others, the Choy Lee Fut Style is his favorite.
[edit] Exhibitions, tournaments & recognition
Parrella has competed in dozens of martial arts tournaments all over the country, winning numerous trophies and awards from the Empire State Games, North American Chinese Martial Arts Federation, New Martial Hero Magazine, East Coast Master's Federation, etc. He is a recognized public speaker on the USA circuit on the subject of martial arts schools and has consulted for and/or spoke at conventions for National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA), Andrew's International, Member Solutions, Automated Payment Systems (APS), Martial Arts Business Information Magazine and has held Kung-Fu Master’s Demonstrations from New York’s Chinatown to as far as Hong Kong. Since 1994 his schools have been listed in the “Top 100 Martial Arts Schools in North America” and since then has been inducted into the 2003 Martial Arts Instructor’s Hall of Fame.
[edit] Recent projects
Currently, Parrella is currently working with Lau Kar-Leung. Parrella's production company will begin filming "Heroes of Shaolin" with Lau in Mailand China in 2007.
[edit] Quotes
“I believe that there is no better way to bring out a person's full potential than with Kung-Fu. Kung-Fu has taught me to overcome any adversity in my life and to never give up. I hope to share these life-altering characteristics will all my students.”
"I WOULD SCREW ANYONE IF IT WOULD BRING ME MORE MONEY."
