Notable USG Instructors
The Association is made up of instructors with a variety of backgrounds and expertise.
Master Garth Charland (CT)
Master Garth Charland began studying martial arts over thirty years ago. He holds a sixth degree black belt in the art of Tang Soo Do, and has studied other arts extensively. More than that, he has been teaching the martial arts for more than 24 years. He has devoted his life to being a teacher and student of martial arts and incorporate all that he has learned through life in his teaching and training.
Master Charland was on a U.S. team in 1990, visiting Poland and Russia for friendship tournaments and demonstrations. He was frequent competitor and very successful on the tournament scene mainly in forms, fighting and breaking. Recalling his most memorable moments he cites the 1992 Green Mountain Challenge where he won the largest Middleweight division he had ever seen, then won the Grand Champion in fighting and then with his teammates (Richard Hoyt and Fred Bushy), won the team fighting division against teams as far away as Russia.
In November of 2007 Master Charland tested for the rank of Yuk Dan (6th) in a grueling 5 day test in North Carolina, and was promoted in March of 2008 by Grand Master David Sgro (7th dan) through San Kil Tang Soo Do. This promotion made Master Charland our highest ranking senior master. Since then, Masters Daniels and Kenneth Laliberte achieved the rank of 6th dan. The three of five founders are considered to be the active senior masters of the TSDMA.
In August of 2010 Master Charland and a group of his students traveled to South Korea, where Great Grandmaster Song Ki Kim (Mdk #317) recognized his rank with a certificate of rank through the World Dang Soo Do Union. This recognition by the last remaining active Tang Soo Do Great Grandmasters is something that very few American Tang Soo Do Masters can claim.
Master Charland was on a U.S. team in 1990, visiting Poland and Russia for friendship tournaments and demonstrations. He was frequent competitor and very successful on the tournament scene mainly in forms, fighting and breaking. Recalling his most memorable moments he cites the 1992 Green Mountain Challenge where he won the largest Middleweight division he had ever seen, then won the Grand Champion in fighting and then with his teammates (Richard Hoyt and Fred Bushy), won the team fighting division against teams as far away as Russia.
In November of 2007 Master Charland tested for the rank of Yuk Dan (6th) in a grueling 5 day test in North Carolina, and was promoted in March of 2008 by Grand Master David Sgro (7th dan) through San Kil Tang Soo Do. This promotion made Master Charland our highest ranking senior master. Since then, Masters Daniels and Kenneth Laliberte achieved the rank of 6th dan. The three of five founders are considered to be the active senior masters of the TSDMA.
In August of 2010 Master Charland and a group of his students traveled to South Korea, where Great Grandmaster Song Ki Kim (Mdk #317) recognized his rank with a certificate of rank through the World Dang Soo Do Union. This recognition by the last remaining active Tang Soo Do Great Grandmasters is something that very few American Tang Soo Do Masters can claim.
Master Wesley Jenkins (MD)
Master Wesley Jenkins
A veteran of numerous tournament martial arts championships, Weley Jenkins began training in traditional Tang Soo Do at 13 in 1969 and earned his black belt in 1975. He became interested in Tang Soo Do for self defense at first because the "streets were tough" but admits to being "fascinated" with a 1960's TV show, the Green Hornet. Bruce Lee played the Green Hornet's sidekick Kato.
Master Jenkins was in the Army from 1976-1979 and taught Tang Soo Do while stationed in West Germany. After his active duty tour, he returned to training under his former instructor and began competing. After winning scores of local,state and international championships including Amateur Athletic Union state champion, he retired from competition after winning his division at the First World Tang Soo Do Association Championship held in Philadelphia, PA. In 1994, Master Jenkins moved to Waldorf and began studying Tang Soo Do under Grand master Myung Seok Seo of Waldorf, MD. In 1998, Master Jenkins began teaching cardio karate at Gold's Gym and in 1999 he opened the Tiger Do Jang, a true martial arts academy where everyone can be their best !
Master Jenkins was in the Army from 1976-1979 and taught Tang Soo Do while stationed in West Germany. After his active duty tour, he returned to training under his former instructor and began competing. After winning scores of local,state and international championships including Amateur Athletic Union state champion, he retired from competition after winning his division at the First World Tang Soo Do Association Championship held in Philadelphia, PA. In 1994, Master Jenkins moved to Waldorf and began studying Tang Soo Do under Grand master Myung Seok Seo of Waldorf, MD. In 1998, Master Jenkins began teaching cardio karate at Gold's Gym and in 1999 he opened the Tiger Do Jang, a true martial arts academy where everyone can be their best !
Master Mike Bogdanski (CT)
Master Mike Bogdanski
This clinic is offered by Kwan Jang Nim Mike Bogdanski of Quest Martial Arts. He will draw from his experience as a nationally ranked competitor in the Professional Karate League. He is well known in the martial arts community for his intense, smooth and lightening fast bo staff technique.
About the instructor: Mike Bogdanski (Moo Duk Kwan Dan #20232) is a Seventh Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do (World Dang Soo Do Union), Seventh Degree Black Belt (honorary) Koga Ryu Ninjutsu, First Degree Black Belt Kyokushin/Kokondo Karate.
In the 1980's Mike Bogdanski was a nationally ranked competitor (Professional Karate League) ranked in top five in weapons and forms (over 35 division) and won numerous Grand Championships. He has won several World Cups in International competition including first place Heavyweight team sparring in Moscow, Russia. He is also a quadruple crown winner in tournaments winning first in sparring, forms, weapons and musical forms.
He has devoted his life to martial arts as the ultimate path to personal deMavelopment. Combining his love for martial arts with a Bachelors degree in psychology and a Master Degree in School Counseling he has become a child development/safety expert who is also a master motivator and success coach. He is also a nationally certified personal trainer. Master Bogdanski is Co-owner of Quest Martial Arts and Midtown Fitness Center in Putnam, CT and international bully prevention speaker.
www.martialart-skills.com
www.mikebogdanski.com
About the instructor: Mike Bogdanski (Moo Duk Kwan Dan #20232) is a Seventh Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do (World Dang Soo Do Union), Seventh Degree Black Belt (honorary) Koga Ryu Ninjutsu, First Degree Black Belt Kyokushin/Kokondo Karate.
In the 1980's Mike Bogdanski was a nationally ranked competitor (Professional Karate League) ranked in top five in weapons and forms (over 35 division) and won numerous Grand Championships. He has won several World Cups in International competition including first place Heavyweight team sparring in Moscow, Russia. He is also a quadruple crown winner in tournaments winning first in sparring, forms, weapons and musical forms.
He has devoted his life to martial arts as the ultimate path to personal deMavelopment. Combining his love for martial arts with a Bachelors degree in psychology and a Master Degree in School Counseling he has become a child development/safety expert who is also a master motivator and success coach. He is also a nationally certified personal trainer. Master Bogdanski is Co-owner of Quest Martial Arts and Midtown Fitness Center in Putnam, CT and international bully prevention speaker.
www.martialart-skills.com
www.mikebogdanski.com
Master Bill Odom (VA)
Master Bill Odom
This clinic is offered by Sa Bom Nim William Odom of the Norfolk Karate
Academy. He will address situations in which strikes are either
ineffective or should not be used against an assailant. Focus will be on
defense and ground escapes found in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
About the instructor: Bill Odom began martial arts training in Thailand in 1968 at age 10. He earned is first black belt in Ji Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do before returning to the US. He began training Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do under James K. Roberts, Sr. in 1970, was promoted to black belt in 1972, and has remained under Mr. Roberts since then. He supplemented his tang soo do training with other martial arts -- boxing, jeet kune do, sport taekwondo, judo, and jiu-jitsu -- during his 25-year military career. He retired from the Army in 2004 to open the Norfolk Karate Academy where he teaches tang soo do and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The school was the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center certified by Rorion Gracie and is now in its seventh year of operation with over 200 students.
About the instructor: Bill Odom began martial arts training in Thailand in 1968 at age 10. He earned is first black belt in Ji Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do before returning to the US. He began training Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do under James K. Roberts, Sr. in 1970, was promoted to black belt in 1972, and has remained under Mr. Roberts since then. He supplemented his tang soo do training with other martial arts -- boxing, jeet kune do, sport taekwondo, judo, and jiu-jitsu -- during his 25-year military career. He retired from the Army in 2004 to open the Norfolk Karate Academy where he teaches tang soo do and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The school was the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center certified by Rorion Gracie and is now in its seventh year of operation with over 200 students.
Master Larry Gilliland (CA)
Master Larry Gilliland
This clinic is offered by Sa Bom Nim Larry Gilliland of OCKicks | Orange County School of Martial Arts. Many martial arts use forms for public demonstrations and in competitions, awarding points for such aspects of technique as style, balance, timing, and the appearance of being real. In this clinic you'll learn what aspects of your performance will maximize you score in tournament competition and how to present your form in the most confident manner possible.
Master Gilliland enrolled in martial arts at the age of 17 while a student at the University of Connecticut. He achieved black belt in 1991 (Moo Duk Kwan Dan #30776) concurrently graduating with a mechanical engineering degree. Since then he has progressed in his life and career achieving his Instructor Certification in 1993, professional engineering licence in 2000 and Sa Dan (fourth degree black belt) and Sa Bom (Master Certification) in 2007. He is a certified Master Instructor of Tang Soo Do and also a first-degree black belt in Shiho Karano Ju-jitsu. Mr. Gilliland has placed in numerous competitions on local, state, national and international levels. He is a Connecticut State Champion, US National Champion and International Champion, winning events in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2006 and 2007. He is owner and chief instructor of Orange County School of Martial Arts | OCKicks in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.
Master Gilliland enrolled in martial arts at the age of 17 while a student at the University of Connecticut. He achieved black belt in 1991 (Moo Duk Kwan Dan #30776) concurrently graduating with a mechanical engineering degree. Since then he has progressed in his life and career achieving his Instructor Certification in 1993, professional engineering licence in 2000 and Sa Dan (fourth degree black belt) and Sa Bom (Master Certification) in 2007. He is a certified Master Instructor of Tang Soo Do and also a first-degree black belt in Shiho Karano Ju-jitsu. Mr. Gilliland has placed in numerous competitions on local, state, national and international levels. He is a Connecticut State Champion, US National Champion and International Champion, winning events in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2006 and 2007. He is owner and chief instructor of Orange County School of Martial Arts | OCKicks in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.
Master Kristin Duethorn (CT)
Master Kristin Duethorn
This clinic is offered by Sa Bom Nim Kristin Duethorn of Quest Martial Arts. She will draw on techniques we practice nearly every day in our Hyung (forms) and their application as weapon disarms. While the original application may not have specifically been weapon focused, she'll describe how we can still use the body mechanics in weapon self defense.
About the instructor: Kristin Duethorn has a husband, Mark, and two sons, Colin, 15, and Kyle, 13. She is a former English teacher who worked at Woodstock Academy and Hyde School in Bath, Maine. She has been involved in martial arts for 15 years. She was program director and lead instructor at Quest Martial Arts in Putnam, CT before becoming co-owner.
“(Martial arts) has helped me so much with my health and confidence and learning about life and how people work. It took me by surprise. It’s not all about punching and kicking. It’s one of the most transformational experiences I can think of.”
About the instructor: Kristin Duethorn has a husband, Mark, and two sons, Colin, 15, and Kyle, 13. She is a former English teacher who worked at Woodstock Academy and Hyde School in Bath, Maine. She has been involved in martial arts for 15 years. She was program director and lead instructor at Quest Martial Arts in Putnam, CT before becoming co-owner.
“(Martial arts) has helped me so much with my health and confidence and learning about life and how people work. It took me by surprise. It’s not all about punching and kicking. It’s one of the most transformational experiences I can think of.”