Our Team.
Instructors.
Professor Joel Pignataro
Joel is the head instructor at the Sindalu BJJ Albuquerque. He began his martial arts training with Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai under SIFU Rick Tucci at Princeton Academy of Martial Arts at 15 years old, which was just after the first Ultimate Fighting Championship.
He wanted to learn Jiu-Jitsu, thanks to Royce Gracie, but the nearest academy was 40 miles away in Philadelphia, PA. Twelve years later (2005) he found Hassett’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
John Hassett was the first black belt under Phil “Jiu-Jitsu Matrix” and Ricardo “Animal” Migliarese (founders of Team Balance). Joel trained under John Hassett for 13 years, and received all his belts under John Hassett - including his black belt in October of 2015.
He currently holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Joel has been active in every role on the competition scene - as a competitor, referee, coordinator, as a coach to the students at Hassett's Jiu-Jitsu, and as a coach to the students at Carlson Gracie Academy Albuquerque East Side. He also has experience training with several professional mixed martial artists.
He is extremely passionate about teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and believes that martial arts can help keep children on a successful path, as well as help children and law enforcement find common ground and allow them to work to understand each other.
Joel is John Hassett’s 12th black belt. John is the Migliarese brother’s 1st black belt under Team Balance. Both Phil and Ricardo received their black belts from Relson Gracie, and Relson received his black belt under Helio Gracie.
Professor Emery ‘Ox’ Cruz
Emery (Ox) Cruz was born in Guam and has lived in New Mexico for 15 years. He and his family all train at Sindalu BJJ.
Emery earned his black belt in 2021 and has fought in Mixed Martial Arts professionally.
He is a former Corrections Officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque and is a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor in New Mexico.
He is also a US Air Force veteran, with 7 years of service. He is passionate about equipping youth and women with the skills and self-confidence that will keep them safe, confident and on a positive path through their lives.
Coaches.
Jolynn Cruz
Jolynn Cruz was born in Prewitt, NM and comes from the Diné heritage. She holds the rank of third degree purple belt in BJJ.
Jo also holds two amateur boxing titles. She currently works as a Corrections Officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.
Jo passionate about equipping youth and self-confidence that will keep them on a positive path through their lives. She also has a deep routed passion in educating and arming women to prevent and/or overcome domestic violence.
Luci Pignataro
Luci has been training BJJ since 2012 and received her purple belt in 2023. She is extremely passionate about learning, teaching, and competing in BJJ.
Having grown up with martial arts in her life, she has first-hand experience with martial arts keeping children focused and in a positive direction. Additionally, Luci believes in empowering women through martial arts. Originally from New Jersey,
Luci moved with her family to New Mexico in 2019. She graduated high school in 2022 and is currently studying computer engineering at the University of New Mexico.
Ryan Williams
Ryan is a purple belt and helps with coaching our kids jiu-jitsu classes.
He grew up in Australia where he trained Judo for years and played Australian Rules Football. Ryan began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a short time after moving to the Albuquerque area in 2019.
He is a pastor of a local church and is passionate about community development, especially as it relates to working with likeminded organizations to transform lives.