Instructors
Dennis Knaust
Professor Dennis is a native of St. Charles County, having spent his childhood and teenage years growing up in St. Peters, MO. Dennis decided to start training after signing up 3 of his children. After being intrigued by the art since he first saw it 20 years prior, he could no longer simply watch this sport as a spectator and he began studying in BJJ. He holds multiple gold medals from various martial arts organizations.
Emma Knaust
Emma is our Program Director at Gracie Barra St.Peter’s. She began training Muay Thai in 2009. She was introduced to Jiu Jitsu just a few years later in 2012. With some time off, Emma began training and learning the art of Jiu Jitsu again in 2022. Emma has competed in multiple tournaments over the years such as AGF, COMPNET, and NAGA. Outside of Jiu Jitsu, Emma likes to spend time with her family, son, and relax. Jiu Jitsu is for everyone!
Kaden Knaust
Coach Kaden is one of a select few students who earned his way through every belt in the kids’ system and moved onto the adult system. He started Jiu Jitsu in 2012 at the age of 8 after being bullied in elementary school. Coach Kaden is a mutliple time gold medal winner and enjoys balancing his time between work, training, and spending time with friends and family.
Eric Schuettenburg
Eric started his Jiu jitsu journey in 2000. His favorite part of Jiu jitsu is that the art is always evolving, so you never stop learning. Eric is excited to be a part of the Gracie Barra St. Peter’s team and looks forward to sharing his knowledge with our students.
Christopher Pierce
Coach Chris joined the GB team from his home area of Dallas, TX. Starting out by training in Mixed Martial Arts with a background in Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, and of course Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He developed his passion for BJJ over the 10+ years of training, competing, and coaching. Coach Chris would say that the focus is all in the details and is always pushing his students to ask questions.
Jared Mora
Jared Mora is a Brown Belt under Professor Dennis Knaust. 2013 Silver Medalist IBBJF Chicago. 2014 NOGI Silver Medalist AGF Arkansas. 2015 Bronze Medalist Revgear Kansas City. 2017 Silver Medalist IBBJF World Masters Las Vegas
Omar Torres
Omar Torres, a seasoned martial arts instructor with 13 years of experience in kickboxing, krav maga, brings a wealth of expertise to Gracie Barra. As a certified KMW Expert II (brown belt) in Krav Maga, he earned his first instructor certification through Krav Maga Worldwide in October 2016.
