Assistant Instructors

Guest instructors share their knowledge with us and may still help the club from time to time with their knowledge and experience as their schedules permit. Associated Instructors have received ranking and/or training in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo while running their own independent classes. Former instructors assisted with the class in the past.

Ms. Hanna White

Hanna is the second shodan who continued her studies with me and tested for black belt online during the COVID-19 pandemic. She assists her brother and sister during the online classes that I am teaching during the pandemic.

Associated and Former Instructors

Mr. Raymond Washington

Raymond Washington received his 4th degree black belt in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo in Augst 2020. He also holds the rank of Brown belt (Nikyu) in Cecil Ryu Judo as of May 2019. He has also taught Taekwondo at a few local storefronts before the pandemic.

Mr. Neil Bower

Associated instructor Mr. Neil Bower is the founder of Whispering Pines Martial Arts in Richmond, VA. He began his martial arts training in 1969. He is a 4th degree black belt in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo, a 1st degree black belt in ITF Taekwondo, and has training in various other styles of Wing Chun, BJJ, Jujitsu, Judo, Shotokan, and Aikido. Mr. Bower is a Certified Women's Self Defense Trainer. He is a member of The National Korean Martial Arts Association.

Mr. Sean Ward

Mr. Sean Ward volunteers his services from time to time. He is a 2nd degree black belt in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo, September 2014, first degree black belt in ITF Taekwondo, awarded by Master Steve Shorts of Viper Strike Taekwondo, and a blue belt black stripe (Yonkyu) in Cecil Ryu Judo. Mr. Ward was one of the key instructors at Viper Strike Taekwondo. He acted as both a judge and a competitor in the tournament that occurred at Temple Hills Community Center in November 2012. He also helped us to prepare for the recital that took place at the Temple Hills Community Center in October, 2011.

Ms. Natalie Washington

Natalie is a 2nd degree black belt in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo (January 14, 2017), and a green belt black stripe (Advanced Gokyu) in Cecil Ryu Judo. She is also a high school student.

Mr. Pete Maida

Mr. Pete Maida is a retired software engineer, and writer. His bio is here.

Ms. Christian Wilson

Miss Wilson volunteers her services from time to time. She is a 1st degree black belt in Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo and has a green belt in Judo (Gokkyu) from College Park Judo Club. She works as a librarian in the public sector.

Mr. Louis Thorton

Louis Thornton is a Black Belt, 1st dan in Cecil Ryu Tae kwon do, since June 2016. He has been studying Tae kwon do with the Viper Strike Taekwondo Club for a little more than a year and a half. He has learned how to use the knife, short sword and fan. He is an Interior design major at Montgomery College. In his free time he enjoys martial arts, video games, working out, and hiking in the woods.

Ms. Jennifer Izaguirre Martinez

Jennifer received her shodan in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo and Yellow Belt in Cecil Ryu Judo on June 13, 2020. She is the first shodan who has continued studies with me and tested for black belt online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Edward Mixon Jr.

Mr. Edward Mixon was an assitant instructor for children's and adult classes. He is a brown stripe belt (1st Gup) in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo, and a resident of Prince George's County.

Mr. Elijah Williams Jr., Brown Belt, Nikyu, Cecil Ryu Judo.

Mr. Elijah Williams has a Brown Belt in Cecil Ryu Judo and was an assistant instructor for the Judo club that was at Harmony Hall Regional Center. His bio is here.

Ms. Sharese Zanders

Sharese was an assistant instructor for children's and adult classes. She is a Brown Belt in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo.

Mr. David Lake Jr.

David was an assistant instructor children's classes in 2012. He is a Brown-Stripe belt (1st Gup) in Cecil Ryu Taekwondo with over 10 years of experience in the martial arts, ranging from Jujitsu to Karate to Mixed Martial Arts.