Sensei Fontanelli began his formal martial arts training in 1975 in the Kokorokan Karate System under Sensei Frank Rossetti. In the following year, 1976, his karate training began at the academy of Okinawan Karate/Kung Fu under Sensei John Izzo. By 1978, Sensei Fontanelli was promoted to Instructor as a 2nd Kyu. He was then tested and promoted to the rank of Black Belt in 1979. In 1981 he began formal martial arts training in Aikido under Sensei Irvin Faust achieving 2nd Kyu. Today, Sensei Fontanelli is ranked as 5th Dan in Uechi Karate.