Our Black Belts and Class Photos
Meet our Black Belts:
Joel Gilbert, Master Instructor, has dedicated himself to instructing Korean Martial Arts since 1989. Experienced in Both Chung Do Kwan and Moo Duk Kwan systems, Joel’s love for the Korean Martial Arts is rooted in the traditional Moo Duk Kwan style. Under the instruction of Master Dana Vaillancourt of Huron, SD, Joel has attained the rank of 4th Dan (Degree) in Taekwondo and 3rd Dan in TangSooDo. Joel has taught hundreds of people throughout the Central Maine region during the last 20+ years. His martial arts endeavors include two decades of teaching, participating in fund-raising events for local charities, teaching self-defense seminars, and performing breaking and self-defense demos to promote the Korean Martial Arts.
Outside of class, Joel is a 25 year employee of the State of Maine; currently working as a Continuous Quality Assurance Manager for the Department of Corrections. Previous work has been in the behavioral sciences field as an Intensive Case Manager. Joel is married to Jane Gilbert and they have three children: Luke, Heather, and Samuel.
Joel's favorite quote: Argue for your limitations and sure enough they are yours~Richard Bach.
Mrs. Jane Gilbert, assistant instructor, first started training in Korean Martial Arts in 1987. Her interest was piqued and her attention captured by the simple yet effective self-defense techniques taught in the very first class she attended. Since then, she has practiced in both Chung Do Kwan and Moo Duk Kwan systems of training.
Her absolute favorite part of training is the detailed precision of properly executed forms. She loves the fact that what people do “in real life” has no impact on how they interact in class, because everyone is there to improve themselves and to encourage others.
Jane traveled to Seoul, Korea in 1988 as part of a U.S. Friendship Tour and to train at the Kukkiwon. She has taught classes and participated in demonstrations, self-defense seminars, and other events in the Augusta area to promote the art. She currently holds 3rd Dan rank in Taekwondo.
Jane is a chemical engineer who currently teaches high school chemistry.
Mr. Thompson, assistant instructor, has also been training in Taekwondo in the Augusta area. His passions lie in teaching self-defense, one-step, and free-sparring. He promoted recently to 3rd Dan Taekwondo and spring of 2010 tested for his first Dan in Tang Soo Do.
Ms. McConnell, assistant instructor, started Taekwondo in 1988 and trained on Air Force Bases in Missouri and Wyoming. Her 1st Dan and instructor's certifications were through the U.S and International Taekwondo Federations, in the Chon-Ji form system.
After moving back to Maine and obtaining her bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences, she joined Augusta Taekwondo Center in 2009. Her love and dedication to Taekwondo training led her to successfully test for 2nd Dan in Taekwondo and her 1st Dan in TangSooDo in the Moo Duk Kwan system.
She enjoys the challenge of training new students and her passion is teaching students one on one.
Her favorite quote: "Try to find the path of least resistance and use it without harming others. Live with integrity and morality, not only with people but with all beings. " ~Steven Seagal
Mr. Severance, assistant instructor, began martial art training in 1987 and received the rank of 1st Dan in Taekwondo (Moo Duk Kwon) in 1995. After taking a number of years off, he returned to training at Augusta Taekwondo in 2010.
Mr. Severance enjoys the shared energy of a martial arts class. “The energy is contagious…..you can’t help but be motivated to give your best effort.” He loves the diversity of martial arts training: strengthening, balance, focus, and aerobics. Most of all he enjoys the fun and friendly atmosphere of Augusta Taekwondo. During sparring, watch out for his “ridge hand”!
Mr. Severance is a 34-year employee of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. He is currently Director of the Division of Program Planning in the Bureau of Air Quality where he is dedicated to its mission of protecting the air we breathe.
His favorite quote "By perSeverance the snail reached the ark" ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Class Photos
Below you'll see a small clip of the fun we have in class - classes vary from week to week - we're always learning something new and exciting!
Practical Self-Defense
Forms, Hand Techniques, Kicks
Sparring, Breaking, and Tournaments
Self-Defense Seminars
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