Classes at Boca Aikikai Dojo are taught by Richard Ciriello. Richard is a certified teacher - fukushidoin and holds a 3rd degree black belt recognized by Aikikai Hombu Dojo and Birankai North America. Since 1997, Richard has been a student of Yahe Solomon Sensei (aka A.I. Lieber). Yahe Sensei completed his apprenticeship under Master Kazuo Chiba (a direct student of the founder) and is Chief Instructor of the Sei Chu Kan Dojo in Bozeman, MT. He holds a Rank of 6th degree black belt and is a shidoin Certified Teacher with Birankai North America. Richard also trained at the San Diego Aikikai directly under Chiba Shihan.

Richard began his Martial arts training as a boy with Bob Cheezic in the art of Tang Soo Do a form of Korean Karate. Then he began training in Tae Kwon Do another form of Korean Karate with Mr. Moon Sensei and was Promoted to the Rank of Shodan (1st degree) black belt. Which took a duration of about three years of training when he was a teenager. Then he began training in the art of Pai Lum Kung fu a form of Chinese Wu Shu fist style with Tai Sifu Richard Venenziano and Sifu Robert Nardona and was promoted to the Rank of Shodan (1st degree) black belt. Which took a duration of about ten years of training. All of this training was in Waterbury Connecticut where Richard is from.

Richard began his Aikido training in 1989 under John Harabushi Sensei in Watertown Connecticut at Aikido of Watertown dojo which is affiliated with the (USAF-ER) United States Aikido Federation Eastern Region Under the instruction of Yamada Sensei. He advanced to the rank of Nikyu (2nd Kyu) when he began training at the Connecticut Aikikai dojo in New Haven under Yahe Solomon Sensei which was affiliated with (USAF-WR) United States Aikido Federation Western Region under the instruction of Chiba Sensei and continued his training there to the rank of Shodan (1st degree) black belt. Then he moved to San Diego and and trained at the San Diego Aikikai dojo under Chiba Sensei and received his teaching certification from Chiba Shihan.