Born in Burlington County, NJ, Donna Russert has studied martial arts since 1994. She has studied a variety of styles including, but not limited to; Southern Shaolin Kung Fu, Five Animal / Five Family, Hung Gar, Taiji Quan (Traditional & Contemporary), Northern Wushu, Qin Na, Bagua Zhang, Wing Chun and White Eyebrow. Beginning later in life, her diligence, work ethic, study and training have proven her to be a well-rounded and skilled practitioner and teacher.

She has expanded her scope of skill and knowledge through various seminar training with: Dixon Fung, Raul Ortiz, the late Zhang Luping, Willie Lam, Norman Smith and Jamal El. Sifu Russert also conducts seminars and co-hosts the Annual Kung Fu Training Retreat, held at Wildwood Crest, NJ.

Competing in dozens of tournaments over her years on the competition circuit, she has given a number of gold-medal performances. These include empty hand forms, fighting sets and weapon forms at some of the more renowned competitions, such as: The Wong Fei Hung Tournament and The US International Kuoshu Tournament.

She is also a member of NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artists) and ACMA (The Cooper Institute’s, American Council on Martial Arts). She has been certified in CardioKick through NAPMA in both 1998 and 1999. Sifu Russert is certified in TaiChi for Arthritis through Master Paul Lam. She is also a cerified Speaker and Level II Instructor with The Arthritis Foundation and delivers the Discoveries Program and The Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation Class as a community outreach. She is a part of the Northern Shaolin Academy Family which is headed by Grandmaster Norman Smith.

Currently Sifu Donna Russert, continues to train in the traditional art of Five Animal / Five Family under Sifu Louis Diaz, and Taiji Quan & QiGong under Sifu W.C. Bey. She is Co-Owner and Head Instructor of Phoenix Academy of Martial Arts and is responsible for the Educational Department. Her duties include: Curriculum Development and implementation, as well as maintaining instructional staff standards of proficiency. Sifu teaches all ages and levels of students from beginner through advanced ranks. She also serves as the primary coach to members of The Phoenix Academy National Competition Team.