Meet Your Instructors
Beginners choose a person, not a program. These are the coaches who will know your name, teach your first technique, and track your progress — starting with your free first class.
The professor behind GFTeam DC
Professor Deivid Dias
Born in Nova Iguaçu and raised in São João de Meriti, Rio de Janeiro, Deivid started jiu-jitsu at 13 and never left the mats. He founded WDC BJJ in Takoma Park in 2015 and built it into a family academy where beginners and competitors grow side by side.
His lineage is the Fadda line: Maeda → Luiz França → Oswaldo Fadda → Monir Salomão → Júlio César Pereira → Ataíde Rafael → Deivid Dias.
Champions who teach here
Professor Charlene Dixon
GFTeam black belt, IBJJF Pan American Champion and Master Worlds silver medalist — she leads the women's-only program at WDC BJJ.
Meet Professor Charlene →Professor Marcio Carvalho
A multiple-time IBJJF champion who earned every belt from white to black right here at WDC BJJ, under Professor Deivid Dias.
Meet Professor Marcio →Professor Deivid Dias
GFTeam black belt and Hall of Fame member, IBJJF Pan-Am Champion — the professor behind GFTeam DC since 2015.
About the Academy →A named coach for every mat
Professor Deivid & team
The kids and teens programs are led by Professor Deivid with our coaching team and young-leader assistants on the floor for every class.
Kids Program →Women's Program Head Coach
Every women's session is led by our women's program head coach, an instructor who has spent years teaching women this art.
Women's Program →Professor Deivid Dias
Beginner, mixed, and advanced adult sessions are coached by Deivid and our black and purple belt team.
Beginner Program →Meet the coaching team
Nilxon Ventura
A Fight 2 Win and Brave Challenge champion and former New York Tech goalie — today he runs the academy day to day and coaches the kids program.
Meet Nilxon →
Kate Parish
A GFTeam purple belt under Professor Deivid Dias with seven years on the mats — the thinking player's coach, and the teacher our youngest students run to first.
Meet Coach Kate →
Keith Cowdrey
A GFTeam purple belt, IBJJF champion, and Pan American medalist — the high-energy coach our adult beginners meet first.
Meet Keith →Your first class is free.
No experience needed, and no contracts or long-term commitment — just come train. Enrollment includes a free uniform for kids, youth, and adults.
1. Send the free-trial request or call us.
2. We confirm the right class for your age and schedule.
3. Arrive 15 minutes early in athletic clothes.
4. Train in a real group class — then decide with zero pressure.