Shihan Dara Masi is the Head Instructor of Suigetsu Dojo. She began her study of the martial arts in 1986 and is currently ranked at Shihan in Hakkoryu Jujutsu (equivalent to 5th degree black belt translated to mean Master Instructor). Shihan Masi is a student and instructor of Hakkoryu Jujutsu under Kaiden Shihan San Dai Kichu Dennis Palumbo. Both Shihan Masi and Suigetsu Dojo are members of the Hakkoryu Martial Arts Federation. Shihan Masi is proud to be an instructor of Hakkoryu JuJutsu, learning and passing on the true techniques of this art.

Shihan Masi also studies Iaido with Sensei Michele Benzamin-Miki and is ranked at Nidan. Shihan Masi teaches classes in Iaido for adults and children at Suigetsu Dojo and is one of very few martial arts instructors training and ranking children in the martial art of Iaido.

Shihan Masi is a life member of and instructor in Jujitsu America. She along with the members of Suigetsu Dojo hosted the Jujitsu America 2002 Convention.

Shihan Masi has taught Jujutsu seminars throughout the United States for schools and large organizations. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Women's Martial Arts Federation for four years as its Treasurer, and is the current President of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors, which she co-founded in 1998.