FOUNDER & MASTER INSTRUCTOR

Jeff Brinker is a martial arts activist who founded Silent River Kung Fu in 1987. He is committed to promoting global change by inspiring and empowering his students to live lives of consequence.

Jeff believes the real value of Kung fu is not found in the ultimate perfection of skill, but rather the self realization and understanding that emerges from the challenge of the journey. His values of peace education, dietary self defence, environmental responsibility, mindful living, community activism, and the power of example are the foundation on which Silent River Kung Fu's curriculum is built.

Jeff is the Grand Fromage of Silent River Kung Fu and is the organization’s CEO.

MASTER INSTRUCTOR

Khona Rybak has been training under Sifu Brinker since she was nine years old, when her mother put both her and her brother into Silent River Kung Fu’s Onoway classes. Her mom always said she wanted her kids to be comfortable and capable in water, in the air, and on land. Kung fu was their land.

Khona grew up to become a fifth degree black belt and take over the Onoway kung fu school as its chief instructor. After guiding the Onoway school for years, Khona passed on the torch and is now an integral part of the Stony Plain Silent River team.

Khona is Silent River Kung Fu’s Chief Instructor and the organization’s COO.

MASTER INSTRUCTOR

The father of three Silent River Kung Fu black belts, Master Instructor Max Hayes is one of the longest serving instructors at Silent River Kung Fu. He is the go to instructor for all things curriculum and he is the school's resident expert on the Chinese broadsword and the weaponized cane.

From the initial construction of our current home to sitting on the black belt grading board, Sifu Max Hayes is an integral part of the Silent River Kung Fu leadership team. His influence and guidance touch all who enter our school.

MASTER INSTRUCTOR

Most would describe her start in the kung fu lifestyle as coming late in life. Over thirty years later, she is still hard at it.

In the martial arts community she is known as Sifu Dennis - the tai chi teacher extraordinaire under whose caring, watchful eye all Silent River students forge their tai chi prowess. In the Silent River Kwoon, she is known as Sifu Dennis - the strong, compassionate leader who sets an example of perseverance and dedication that has inspired every student who has been lucky enough to cross her path.

Eva is Silent River Kung Fu’s Tai Chi Program Director.

INSTRUCTOR

Yitzik Csillag was born in Jerusalem, Israel and immigrated to Canada in 2003 and lives in Stony Plain with his wife and 4 amazing children.

Yitzik started kung fu at Silent River Kung Fu in 2007 after his son joined the Lil Leopards program. Now the entire Csillag family is practicing kung fu and enjoy it as a great family activity.

Yitzik also enjoys running. Actually, he doesn't like running but he does like the great feeling he gets after a run. He loves the outdoors (in the summer) and enjoys hiking, camping, and kayaking.

Yitzik is the Program Director of the Teen/Adult Programs of Silent River Kung Fu. His leadership is a key spoke in the organization’s wheel.

INSTRUCTOR

Kevin initially joined Silent River Kung Fu after taking his son to lessons for a couple of months. Instead of sitting on the sidelines watching, he decided he might as well join in himself since he was there anyway.

Kevin found a passion with the Lion Dance as it was something that once he started to do it, he wanted to do it more. This passion continues to this day and he will perform a lion dance anytime and anywhere the opportunity arises. Kevin’s main focus in Kung Fu is sparring, grappling, and Sanda along with the Chinese Lion and Dragon Dance.

Outside of Kung Fu Kevin enjoys immersing himself with renovation projects or building projects. This is why the Silent River Kwoon renovations are always an integral part of Kevin’s training. In fact, the look of Silent River Kung Fu’s Kwoon is mainly due to Kevin’s expertise and hard work. When not training, Kevin also enjoys the outdoors or sitting around a fire with friends and family.

Kevin is Silent River Kung Fu’s grappling and Sanda Cooridinator.

INSTRUCTOR

After watching her son from the benches for a couple of months, Malinda decided to get on the mats at the age of 40. Shortly after that, her daughter joined as well.

Being closely involved in her own children’s Kung Fu journeys, Malinda began helping at the Tiny Tigers and Black Dragons classes in October of 2021 and has found the challenge of working with children very rewarding.

In addition to Kung Fu, Malinda enjoys spending time on her other passions, pottery and gardening, and is always open to any opportunity that may present itself.

Malinda is Silent River Kung Fu’s Young Dragon Program Director.

INSTRUCTOR

Sharida has been training at Silent River Kung Fu ever since her son started when he was three. At first, it was just holding his hand and helping him in class; but as he gained confidence and started on his own journey, she was inspired to begin herself. Now her whole family of six trains together on the mats.

Sharida has a passion for travel, culture, and exploring the world. But home is Canada where she can enjoy all seasons: the crunching of leaves in fall, the catching of snowflakes in winter, the counting of bees in spring, and the whispering of the wind in the aspen leaves in summer.

INSTRUCTOR

Shira Csillag began her training at Silent River Kung Fu when she was almost three years old. Since then she continues to practice, along with her entire family.

Kung fu has become a huge part of Shira’s life. It has given her a way to manage stress and feel calm. It has also taught Shira how to keep working toward her goals, even when things get difficult.

Aside from practicing kung fu, Shira likes to cook, bake, read, and hangout with her friends in her free time.

INSTRUCTOR

Noa Csillag started kung fu at a very young age, joining their parents and older brother at Silent River Kung Fu. Shortly after, Noa’s younger sibling joined too. Today, Noa’s entire family enjoys training in kung fu and it has become a fundamental part of their lives.

Noa is now an instructor for the Lil Leopard class, the same class that started their own kung fu journey more than 14 years ago. Since then, Kung fu has provided Noa with skills and knowledge that can be applied to everyday life.

Outside of kung fu, Noa enjoys reading, playing basketball, and spending time with friends.

INSTRUCTOR

There is nothing more important to Don Bjorkquist than family. Whether it be his immediate family or his extended Kung Fu family, they are what drive him.

Don has loved the Martial Arts since he was a child. Growing up in the 70's and 80's, Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris were his idols. They are men of consequence who defined themselves through their discipline to the Martial Arts and their empathy towards mankind.

While Don didn't actually start any form of Martial arts till the late 1990's, once he did, he was hooked. Then in 2014, he started training at Silent River Kung Fu, and the rest is history.

Next to the birth of his son Kody and his marriage to his wife Deb, Don feels that earning his Black Belt was the greatest achievement of his life.

INSTRUCTOR

Simon began his training with Silent River Kung Fu at the age of eight, alongside his younger siblings. Throughout his journey, Kung Fu has become one of Simon’s greatest passions and has provided him with many invaluable insights.

With the consistent lessons in confidence, compassion, determination, and humility, Kung Fu has acted as a keystone in Simon’s journey to becoming the person he is today. His curiosity and desire to learn and grow as a martial artist has pushed Simon to seeking out as many experiences as he can, and he enjoys the opportunities in being able to learn new forms, partake in lion and dragon dancing, and practicing his sparring.

Outside of Kung Fu, Simon enjoys spending time outdoors, including activities such as hiking, swimming, and skiing.

INSTRUCTOR

Kayley started at Silent River when she was 13 years old and she has been fascinated since the very beginning. Today she continues to be inspired by the endless depth of Kung Fu and the path of Mastery.

Kayley began helping in the Young Dragons classes during her grading year, and now as an instructor she strives to embody the passion, care, and attention that her own instructors showed for her.

She has a deep love for Forms and is passionate about kicks of any kind. Alongside Kung Fu Kayley spends her time learning strange animal facts, drawing, reading, and absolutely kicking butt in board games.

INSTRUCTOR

Logan began his training with Silent River Kung Fu at the age of ten. He is very passionate about teaching and his own training, but he acquires his greatest insights through the guidance of others in their journey.

Kung fu has given Logan confidence in himself and helps him to be a better, more compassionate, leader.

Logan’s absolute favourite activity in kung fu is the creation and performance of fight choreographies.