HomeMassachusettsWellesley › Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley

Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley

5 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Wellesley, Massachusetts

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule sdsswellesley.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 781-772-1301

Hours

Monday 2–8 pm
Tuesday 1–6:30 pm
Wednesday 1–7:30 pm
Thursday 2–6:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9 am–12 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 8 mentions

“Sensei Nicco does a phenomenal job of keeping the class moving and the kids engaged with either a small or a large group.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

👤 Private Lessons

“Only karate studio that offers semi private lessons”

All dojos that run private lessons →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 12 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Master Nicco is a great teacher who really cares about his students.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 7 mentions

“They have had a profoundly positive impact on both of our sons, helping them grow not just in skill, but in confidence, respect, and character.”

From the reviews

Sensei Nicco and Hill are squared away. Great people that keep clearly care about their students. They keep the class fun and actually get the kids to do the moves correctly. In addition they have thoughtful and insightful discussions on many different topics.

★★★★★ — S, Apr 2023

Sensei Nicco does a phenomenal job of keeping the class moving and the kids engaged with either a small or a large group. He has tremendous energy that echoes through his enthusiastic encouragement to each child. He is consistently patient, encouraging, and adapts his approach to meet each child’s individual needs.

★★★★★ — Jb, Sep 2025

I've known Master Nicco since we were kids. We grew up training together, competing in karate tournaments, and making a lot of great memories over the years. It's been awesome watching him become the instructor he is today. Master Nicco is a great teacher who really cares about his students.

★★★★★ — Mark, Jun 2026

We can't say enough wonderful things about the incredible team, especially Sensei Nicco and Sensei Hill. They have had a profoundly positive impact on both of our sons, helping them grow not just in skill, but in confidence, respect, and character.

★★★★★ — Miss, Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley

Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Steve DeMasco's Martial Arts of Wellesley

277 Linden St, Wellesley, MA02482

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More Karate dojos near Wellesley

Velocity Martial Arts / Fitness Center

4.3 ★★★★☆ 12 reviews

Located in Unitarian Universalist Wellesley, 309 Washington St, Wellesley, MA

Memberships around $29.95/mo

Karate dojo Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team expert instruction from a great senseifriendly, respectful dojostrong technique, kata & fundamentals

under a mile away

Steve Nugent's Karate Institute

90 Washington St, Wellesley, MA

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens

1.9 miles away

Esposito's Karate Fitness Center

5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

230 Adams St, Newton, MA

Karate dojo Kids & teens Competition team friendly, respectful dojobuilds confidence, discipline & respect

6.0 miles away

All Karate dojos in Wellesley, MA →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.