About Us
Aegis Consulting began as an IT service and training organization.
In other words, we're geeks. Geeks with swords.
From this beginning Aegis evolved from the vision of founder and pen-y-cat Sal Sanfratello, a native New Yorker who grew up in a swordfighting tradition that has been handed down in his family in Sicily for more than a thousand years.
In addition to his skills as a swordsman, Sal's training at the Xavier Academy, an elite military high school in NYC, has made him an expert in the hand-to-hand combat and wilderness survival techniques taught by the US Army.
Sal began developing his martial arts background into a martial arts academy specialising in self-improvement and leadership development with informal lessons on a lawn in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1996. Aegis Martial Arts Academy was formally launched as a school in 2003, and Sal and his instructors have trained roughly 100 swordfighters since.
Aegis Academy isn't “just” a martial arts academy because Sal Sanfratello isn't “just” a martial artist. In addition to his martial arts background and military training, Sal holds undergraduate degrees in International Relations and History from Purdue University and an MBA from Phoenix University. He has also continued his studies in areas ranging from wilderness survival to tactical leadership and management. As a result – and as a result of the many subject-matter-experts our school attracts – Aegis continues to expand both our formal and informal class offerings.
Aegis instructors and students have offered informal classes on ju-jitsu, cooking, sewing/costume assembly, and more.
Every single Aegis instructor has been personally trained and certified by Sal Sanfratello after undergoing more than 100 hours of instruction in how to teach that particular class.
Our Mission & Core Values
Our Instructors
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for all classes is due on the first of every month and is $120 per month or $105 per month with a student ID. Your tuition includes four class meetings per month; classes meet either once or twice per week for a total of from 8-12 hours of instruction.
Equipment Fees
Equipments fees for swordfighting classes are due with the first month's tuition and include practice weapons (a custom-build sword and shield) and other necessary materials.
Equipment for Basic: $45
Equipment for Subsequent Swordfighting Classes: 15$
Books
Many of the required texts for our courses, primarily Tactics and Wilderness Survival, can be purchased second hand either online or at your local bookstore. We also have an expanding online library of papers by Aegis instructors and students and may soon make it possible for you to purchase texts from the Aegis website.
Try Any Class Free for a Month
Aegis classes are powerful, life-changing experiences. They are also not for everyone. That's why you can try any Aegis Academy of Martial Arts class free for one month. If you decide to stay you can either pay for two months' tuition (and any materials fees) at the beginning of your second month or make a payment plan with us to cover the balance.
Work Study With Aegis Academy
Aegis Academy offers a limited number of work study opportunities for those who need either a partial or full discount on tuition. Work study students spend 10 hours per month on duties ranging from Web site or facility maintenance to fliering. Check with your instructor for details.
Geeks Are Welcome Here. So Are Non-Geeks. Are you committed to personal excellence? We want you. Click here to sign up for the next available classes, or here for more information about our upcoming classes and events.