Please note that archery schedule and pricing is changing August 1, 2024.
We teach confidence and promote youth fitness with our fun and unique sports. Enroll your child in group classes or book a private session with any of our certified instructors. Beginners are welcome!
Lionheart Academy offers archery and fencing lessons for kids, teens and adults. We teach confidence and promote youth fitness with our fun and unique sports.
Our club offers a multi-purpose 6,000 sq. ft. gym facility that includes a 20-meter archery range and six state-of-the-art overhead scoring machines for fencing. We have a cushioned rubber floor, a full-service equipment armory, and a pro shop. Please note that the minimum age to participate in fencing classes or camps is 7 years old and the minimum age to participate in archery classes or camps is 9 years old.
Our indoor archery range is perfect for tuning your skills for outdoor distances or training for Junior Olympic competitions.
We have excellent, award-winning coaches ready to help you reach your goals.
Maestro is the Owner and Head Coach Of LionHeart Fencing Academy. He is a Master of Foil Fencing, and is certified by both the British Academy of Fencing and the United States Fencing Coaches Association. Maestro has a Bachelors of Science Degree, Kinesiology (Physical Education emphasis), San Diego State, 2005, was the Former Head Coach, UCSD Men’s and Women’s Fencing, 1997 – 2004 and Founder and President of the San Diego Scholastic Fencing Conference, 2006 – 2012 (now known as the San Diego Youth Cup). Maestro has trained thousands of kids and enjoys passing on his incredible expertise, while having a little fun too.
Maestro is the Owner and Head Coach Of LionHeart Fencing Academy. He is a Master of Foil Fencing, and is certified by both the British Academy of Fencing and the United States Fencing Coaches Association. Maestro has a Bachelors of Science Degree, Kinesiology (Physical Education emphasis), San Diego State, 2005, was the Former Head Coach, UCSD Men’s and Women’s Fencing, 1997 – 2004 and Founder and President of the San Diego Scholastic Fencing Conference, 2006 – 2012 (now known as the San Diego Youth Cup). Maestro has trained thousands of kids and enjoys passing on his incredible expertise, while having a little fun too.
Conner Johnston serves as Head Fencing Coach at LionHeart Academy, where he has been part of the fencing community since childhood. A lifelong student of the sport, Conner brings deep technical knowledge, competitive experience, and a passion for athlete development to every lesson. He is a USA Fencing–certified Prevot Coach through USA Fencing and coaches both épée and foil, working with athletes across skill levels. His coaching blends strong fundamentals, tactical awareness, and a focus on building confident, disciplined competitors. Conner remains an active competitor at the local, regional, and national levels, giving his students current, firsthand insight into modern competitive fencing. He is currently an A-rated épée fencer, reflecting his high level of performance and dedication to excellence in the sport. Whether coaching beginners or advanced athletes, Conner is committed to helping each fencer grow in skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.
Owen Marsh is a dedicated Archery Coach at LionHeart Academy, bringing both expertise and passion to every lesson. A USAA Level 2 instructor, Owen combines technical knowledge with engaging coaching to help students develop skill, confidence, and a love for the sport. As a professional educator with Lakeside Union School District, Owen brings years of classroom experience to his coaching, emphasizing patience, structure, and individualized attention. He has a special interest in special education, ensuring every student can learn and progress in a supportive, encouraging environment. Owen is committed to helping archers of all levels improve their form, focus, and performance, while fostering discipline, perseverance, and enjoyment of the sport.
Alex Soderberg brings elite competitive experience and technical expertise to LionHeart Academy, where he coaches épée and helps students grow both skill and confidence. A former NCAA Division I fencer at University of California San Diego, Alex knows firsthand the discipline and focus required to compete at high levels. He actively competes locally, regionally, and nationally and is currently an A-rated épée fencer, giving students real-time insight into modern tournament strategy. As LionHeart’s Head Armorer and a member of USA Fencing’s national armorers list, Alex ensures athletes train safely with professional-grade equipment. Passionate about building resilient, confident, and competitive fencers, Alex challenges students to grow while providing mentorship, guidance, and a structured environment that fosters long-term success on and off the strip.
James Keahl is a dedicated Archery Coach at LionHeart Academy and a USAA Level 2 instructor, certified through USA Archery. With a strong commitment to developing confident, capable archers, James brings both technical skill and a supportive coaching style to every practice. Currently pursuing his degree at Grossmont College, James balances his academic goals with active involvement in archery. A competitive archer himself, he competes at local and regional events, giving students firsthand insight into the mindset, preparation, and focus needed in competition. James is passionate about helping archers of all ages build strength, accuracy, and confidence in a safe, structured environment. His approach emphasizes solid fundamentals, personal growth, and a lifelong appreciation for the sport.
Maestro Franco Cerutti is a world-renowned fencing coach who continues to provide strategic guidance to LionHeart Academy as a special consultant. Franco brings decades of elite coaching experience, including serving as Swiss Fencing’s Executive Director of High Performance, Chief of Mission, and Director of Performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He led the Swiss men’s epee team to their first-ever senior world title at the 2018 Wuxi Senior Fencing World Championships and has coached youth and junior squads at European and World Championships. Franco holds multiple advanced degrees and diplomas in sports, including Maitre d’Armes from the British Academy of Fencing, and elite coaching certifications from the Swiss Federal Office of Sport (BASPO). In his ongoing role with LionHeart Academy, Franco consults on men’s and women’s epee programs, helping develop a pipeline of athletes and coaches to achieve sustained national-level success.