Bill Viola Jr.

About Bill Viola Jr.

Bill Viola Jr. is a bestselling author, film producer, and "Sensei." He is creator of CommonSensei® life skills book series and Sensei Says® curriculum. Viola Jr. is President of Kumite Classic Entertainment (1999) based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which owns and operates Allegheny Shotokan Karate (1969).Viola was a University Scholar and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He moved to the West Coast and settled in Studio City, California to gain hands-on experience in the entertainment and film industry. He was accepted into the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio and established his own company, Kumite Classic Entertainment (KCE). He gained notoriety from his role in the Britney Spears video Stronger (2000) and was able to network and build relationships with leading directors and producers.His company's signature event, the self-titled "Kumite Classic," is regarded as the most significant karate event in Pittsburgh widely called the mecca for martial arts in the region . KCE also produced the annual Pittsburgh Fitness Expo, recognized as the largest and most established multi-sport convention in Western Pennsylvania attracting sports and entertainment icons such as Kurt Angle, Lynn Swann, Franco Harris, Antonio Brown, Ice-T, and Royce Gracie over the years. Viola has served as a consultant, referee, and event coordinator for some of the largest martial arts events in the world. In 2017 he brokered a partnership with Century Martial Arts and WAKO to produce the North American Open in Las Vegas, Nevada in conjunction with UFC Fight Week.Viola experienced the "Golden Era" of MMA firsthand as his father, Bill Sr., is credited as the co-creator of the sport (a decade before the UFC) by the Heinz History Center, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institute. In 2011, Viola's research and documentation of martial arts was honored with a permanent exhibit installed at the Western PA Sports Museum and Senator John Heinz History Center. The display is adjacent to the Franco Harris "Immaculate Reception." Jr. and Sr. are both official Sport Karate History Generals and recipients of the Sport Karate Museum's "Lifetime Achievement" award. The duo was awarded the Champion Associations Willie Stargell M.V.P. Award (2011) for community service, a tribute that includes Michael Jordan and Muhamad Ali as alum. In 2017 the Viola's were published in the book, Who's Who in the Martial Arts - Legends of American Karate. The dojo is home to the only karate athlete's honored with the "Positive Athlete" award and featured on KDKA's Hines Ward Show. In 2016 his work was honored by Pittsburgh Magazine who named him to the prestigious "40 under 40" list recognizing influential young leaders in the city.Bill Viola was introduced to Martial Arts (Shotokan Karate) by his father William Viola, founder of Allegheny Shotokan Karate. His lessons began in the 1970s when he was just a toddler. He began a two-and-a-half years old. As a youth Viola was one of the most well rounded and consistent and competitors in the country recognized as a USA Karate Federation (USAKF) Jr. Olympic champion. As an adult, he was recognized as a 5x USA Karate National Champion and All-American Athlete. Viola was the only adult black belt triple gold medalist (Kata, -65 Kg Kumite, Kobudo) at the 1997 USAKF National Championships in Akron, Ohio. In the summer of 1999, Viola was inv...

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