Sensei Shawn Ross was born in Torrance, California, and later attended Arlington High School in Riverside, California.
He then attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Ca. where he majored in Commercial Art and Business.
Upon a move to the Seattle area in 1986 Sensei Ross began his Karate training with Washington Karate Association under Sensei Jerry Ferguson. The following years brought him many successes in the competition venue. These include U.S.A.K.F. National Champion in 1986, 4 times Washington State champion, Pacific Regional Champion and part of the silver medalist team at the 1989 Washington State Centennial Games.
Besides being an active student, competitor and instructor of Karate, he is also a practitioner of Iaido (Japanese sword art). In 1996 he founded and continues to operate Sky Valley Traditional Karate.

• 4th Dan (Degree) Seito Shito-Ryu. Accredited by Shito-Ryu international, Osaka, Japan.
• 4th Dan (Degree) Musso Jikki den Eishin Ryu Iaido. Accredited by the Canadian Iaido Association, President Ted Davis. Witnessed and signed by Teru Asaka, 10th Dan, Technical Director, Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei, Tokyo, Japan.