Black Belt Instructors at the Laramie Kempo Karate Club
Shihan Amber Travsky, Kyoshi
Shihan Amber Travsky is the head instructor for the Laramie Kempo Karate Club, which she started in 1985. Shihan Amber began her martial arts training in 1973 in Tae Kwon Do before moving to Laramie and studying under Soki Stephen Blackburn beginning in 1978.
In addition to the Laramie Kempo Karate Club, Amber was the martial arts instructor at the University of Wyoming from 1985 through to Spring semester 2015. Her 30 years of instruction there ended due to the PE classes no longer being offered.
Shihan Amber Travsky has earned the following ranks:
- 9th Dan Black Belt in Lau Hu Kenpo under Grandmaster Stephen Blackburn.
- Honorary title of Hanshi awarded by Grandmaster Stephen Blackburn.
- 4th Dan Black Belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan.
- 5th Kyu ranking in Tae Kwon Do.
Shihan Amber has earned Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology and Wildlife Biology.
She is former Chairperson for the Wyoming Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sport.
She is a former member, via Presidential appointment from Bill Clinton, to the President’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sport.
In addition to teaching martial arts, Amber is a wildlife biologist and owner of Real West Natural Resource Consulting. She also is a freelance writer.
Rich Travsky, Renshi
Sensei Rich Travsky began his training in the Okinawa Te style in the late 1980s.
He has assisted with the Laramie Kempo Karate Club since it began in 1985.
He has attained the following ranks:
- 7th Dan Black Belt in Lau Hu Kenpo under Grandmaster Stephen Blackburn.
- Honorary title of Kyoshi from Grandmaster Stephen Blackburn.
- 1st Dan Black Belt in Okinawa Te style
Rich works at the University of Wyoming as Executive Computer Support Specialist in the Department of Information Technology.
Ed Kempema
Ed Kempema earned his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in May, 2015 and his Nidan (2nd Degree black belt) in June 2019. Ed started his martial arts training at the Laramie Kempo Karate Club approximately 12 years ago. Ed, who has a Ph.D. in Oceanography and degrees in Geology, is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Wyoming. He is currently conducting research in Panama. Ed is also an avid fly-fisherman.
Brian Baker
Brian started his martial arts training in 2005 in the Shotokan Karate style. After moving to Laramie in 2010 he joined the Laramie Kempo Club and continued training under Shihan Amber Travsky, earning his Shodan in February 2017.
Brian has attained the following ranks:
- 2nd Dan Black Belt (Nidan) – Laramie Kempo Karate Club awarded by Shihan Amber Travsky.
- 1st Kyu (High Brown) in Shotokan – International Shotokan Karate Federation
Brian is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in Political Science and works at Invinson Memorial Hospital. He is an avid downhill skier and an active member of the Snowy Range Ski Patrol.
Bailey Abbott
Bailey started his martial arts training at Laramie Kempo Karate Club when just ten years old. He was promoted to 1st Dan Black Belt (Shodan) in February 2017 and to 2nd degree black belt in August, 2022.
Bailey is currently working at UniWyo Credit Union in Laramie. He enjoys hunting with his grandpa and brother every fall.
Karen Rogers, 5th degree black belt
Jack Wimbish, 3rd degree black belt
Nick Haderlie, 2nd degree black belt
Ross Tolman, 2nd degree black belt
Dan Eastwood, 2nd degree black belt
Tim Evans, 2nd degree black belt
Tiffany Young, 2nd degree black belt
Shawn Palmer, 2nd degree black belt
Lynn Morad, 1st degree black belt
Elijah Massey, 1st degree black belt
Nathanael Massey, 1st degree black belt
Mark Wingate, 1st degree black belt
Katie Kempema, 1st degree black belt
Brian Baker, 2nd degree black belt
Bailey Abbott, 2nd degree black belt
Adam Leduc, 1st degree black belt
Dawson Poteet, 1st degree black belt
Matthew Link, 1st degree black belt
Lander Stone, 1st degree black belt