Emilio DeLia
Owner/Lead Instructor and Program Director
I began training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2002 while living in San Francisco, CA.
In 2004, while working on my Masters Degree at New York University, I began training at Professor Fabio Clemente’s academy on the lower east side of Manhattan. At Clemente’s academy I studied with accomplished BJJ practitioners such as Babs Olusanmokun, Lucas Lepri and Marcelo Garcia. That is also where I met my present teacher Marcos Duarte.
Additionally, I received a blue belt in Judo from Dayn and Daryn DeRose of South Mountain Martial Arts in Madison, NJ.
Over the past 16 years I have traveled extensively to study and learn various arts. I’ve spent time in Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Cuba studying under some of the best teachers of Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and boxing.
I received my yoga teaching certification (RYT200) in 2014 from Flor Yoga of Jersey City. I have found a yoga practice to be an exceptional compliment to the physical demands required by Jiu-Jitsu.
In July 2022, I earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Yani Carvalho and Victor Junquiera
Martial Arts Instructors
Yani Junquiera was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She began training jiu-jitsu for self-defense purposes. She has also fought in Muay Thai under Coban. Throughout her years of training, Yani has learned that BJJ is a valuable skill that helps tremendously in her personal life and career.
As a law enforcement officer, Yani feels that learning jiu-jitsu was a beneficial and practical investment and she is grateful to be able to use it in her daily work life. In 2020, Professor Kevin Sheridan awarded Yani her black belt. She is also a GOLDEN GLOVES boxing champion, having fought in more than 50 boxing matches.
Yani's goals are to empower women to train and compete, and set an example for her daughter Amanda. Yani enjoys competing and traveling around the world.
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Victor Junqueira was born in Governador Valadares in Brazil. He started sports such as swimming and soccer, at a young age. Victor began jiu-itsu with Jackson Moura Tteam and judo with his father, Mr. Ciro Moura in 1998. Because of the enjoyment it brought, martial arts soon became a family activity. Since Victor and his sister would be at the school for hours, their mother enrolled as well so that they could practice together. They even went on to compete together on both state and national levels. After moving to the capital,
Victor continued his martial arts journey with Pedro Ayer and received his blue belt from Pedro and Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes. After Pedro's passing, Victor resumed training with Mauro Geraldi, a black belt under "Draculino" who awarded Victor his purple belt. In the United States, he received his brown belt from Dave Phim and Kevin Sheridan. Later, through an opportunity provided by one of his close friends, Victor opened his own jiu-jitsu school in Newark, NJ. Most recently, in 2021, he was awarded a black belt by professor Dan Covel.
Victor's goals are to continue to do what he has loved for so long: train, compete and teach jiu-jitsu, which he sees as a tool to improve peoples' lives.
Steve Smyer
Martial arts instructor
Master Steve Smyer is a lifelong martial arts practitioner and instructor with over 30 years of teaching experience. He has trained extensively in multiple disciplines including Taekwondo (6th degree black belt), Brazilian Jiujitsu (black belt), Karate (3rd degree black belt), Sambo, Hapkido, and Kickboxing. He is also a master level personal trainer.
As a former school owner and martial arts director, Master Steve has worked with thousands of students ranging from 2 to 90 years old, and has provided unique, specialized approaches for each age group and level.
Leanne Keller
Member Services Manager
Leanne works remotely from her home on the west coast near Las Vegas, NV. She has a background in sales, entrepreneurship, finance, and nutrition—all of which have provided her with well-rounded experiences and knowledge for both her career and home life. Leanne enjoys homeschooling with her children, where the world is their classroom, as well as supporting her local Friends of the Library group. In her downtime, if she's not reading with a hot cup of tea or cooking to an eclectic playlist, she's on her way to the mountains!
Demetria Delia
child development Advisor
Dr. DeLia holds a master’s degree in education, an MSW and Ph.D. from New York University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Psychoanalyst. She has published articles on the effects of early trauma in children, and serves as Dean of Research at the Academy of Clinical and Applied Psychoanalysis in Livingston, N.J. where she supervises therapists from Iran, Cyprus and Australia through the distance learning program. She also is a faculty member for the MA in Mental Health Counseling degree at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis.
The Dream staff who work in the children’s martial arts program meet regularly with Dr. DeLia for professional development training.
Dr. DeLia is available to answer parents’ questions about child development as well.
Ron Gur
martial arts instructor
I began my study of judo, a Japanese martial art, in Israel at the age of 4 and ultimately became a 2nd Degree (DAN) Black Belt. The Dojo where I studied was a part of a larger conglomerate owned and operated by my father and uncle. My Dojo partnered with judo professionals, including Oren Smadja, Bronze Olympic Medalist (Barcelona 1992), to teach students different training techniques and offer constructive feedback.
As a student in this Dojo, I was lucky enough to attend exclusive summer and winter training camps in Israel, Italy, and Austria. We were coached by judo legends and Olympics Champions like Urska Zolnir (London 2012) and Ole Bischof (Bejing 2008).
In 2015, I transitioned into coaching and refereeing judo. I ran afterschool judo programs for kids and high school students and even had the opportunity to referee the Israeli Judo Championships from 2015-2019.
At Dream Martial Arts, I teach judo classes for students ages 4 and up. Through games, physical challenges, and team-building exercises, my students and I learn how to become disciplined, stronger, and more confident. Ultimately, the students in my class practice the one of the most important tenets of judo—respect—between students, instructors, and also with oneself.
Off the mats, I like to hike and dance salsa.
Alicia DeLia
Owner, Executive Director
I am an entrepreneur, economic strategist and small business coach. Most of my career has been dedicated to supporting women to start and grow successful businesses, nonprofit organizations and social enterprises both in the US and internationally.
At Dream I oversee much of the back-office activity, including business development, community development, marketing and human resources and I sometimes join our campers during the summer in the woods!
In addition to co-owning Dream with Emilio, I also work as a social investment strategist exploring issues of poverty, financial inclusion, race and economic development. I’m an avid dancer, writer, social activist and nature-lover. My greatest joy is being with my family, helping create a more generous and just world, traveling and being in nature.
Pete Tuccino
Kids MMA Program mentor
Mr. T has played a huge and instrumental role in the launch and development of our kids MMA programming! We are indebted to his experience and insight, which he shares so willingly and thoughtfully.
I began my study of the martial arts in the mid 1970s at around age 5 or 6 with a private teacher. A couple of years later, I joined a traditional Japanese Karate Dojo where everything was taught in Japanese. I received a 2nd Degree Black Belt in that style, Koei-Kan Karate-Do. After leaving that dojo, I began studying Aikido, first with private lessons and then through a school, The Aikido Schools of NJ. I never tested there, and therefore did not receive any ranks, although I would comfortably say that I was about mid way to a Black Belt. I then began my study of Hapkido. I trained in Hapkido for many years and completed the Black Belt requirements.
Along my journey I have also trained extensively in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Western Boxing, Iron Body Kung Fu, and No Gi Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Due to my over 35 years of training (at the time) I was awarded a Fourth Degree Black Belt by the World Seisukan Ninjitsu Association, my highest rank. Today, I have been training/teaching for over 40 years. I began teaching as a volunteer in my teens for the Meadowlands YMCA. I opened my first school in a small dance studio in Carlstadt, NJ in 1992. I began my full time teaching/school ownership in 1995 in Lyndhurst, NJ. Through a couple of name and location changes, my school has now been in existence for 26 years. I also have a BA from Rutgers University, graduating with honors in 1991.