Ms. Chris, as she is known to her students, has taught Isshinryu Karate since 1992. Chris is currently a 3rd degree Black Belt in Isshinryu. She has taught at several OKC schools and has attended numerous teaching and instructional seminars through the National Association of Martial Artists, and is certified by the Cooper’s Institute. Chris co-owns Family Self Defense Center with her husband “Mr. Z” Szelap, a 4th degree Isshinryu Black Belt. She invented the first ever Isshinryu History Board Game: “Vertical Punch”, which is used as a study tool for her students. In 1999 the Isshinryu Hall of Fame Board chose Ms. Chris as one of the top 5 Female Instructors nationally, and in 2003 she was voted the Top Contributor to Isshinryu Karate. Chris currently teaches 4 nights a week with her husband, and attends local and national tournaments with her students. She received a BA degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in Child Psychology.

Chris was nominated for the "top 5 Contributors to Isshinryu for 2009".