Meet our instructors
John Griffin
Master John, owner and instructor, began his training in Tang Soo Do in 1983 and, in 1986 received his black belt under the instruction of Tyler Kirby. This same year, he and his brother Jeff Griffin started teaching martial arts in Ascension Parish. In 1992 he received his black belt in Hapkido (under the instruction of Don Rogers) and Taekwondo. In 1993 he began further Tang Soo Do training under Raymond Wolsefer. Master John is a 7th Dan in Tang Soo Do, 2nd Dan in Hapkido, 2nd Dan in Tae Kwon Do. Aside from years of martial arts training and teaching, Master John has been a Law Enforcement Officer in Ascension Parish (since 1999) and teaches defensive tactics to other LEOs as well.
Frank Chartier
Master Frank, our head instructor at our St. Amant location, began his martial arts training in 1979 in the Japanese style of Shotokan Karate. In 1984 he moved into the Korean martial styles (starting with Taek Won Do) and then began teaching in 1988. In the past 41 years, Master Frank has obtained black belts in Tang Soo Do, Taek Won Do, Hapkido, Joong Do Ryu, and Sung Ja Do. In 2000, he received his first Master’s certification form the International Sung Ja Do Association, and then soon followed by in International Jun Tong Mu Sool Kwan; where he has held the seat of United States National Representative and currently the Louisiana Regional Director.
Anna Smith
Mrs. Anna, our head instructor at our Prairieville location, is a 3rd Dan in Tang Soo Do. She also heads up our Competition Team. She began her martial arts training 30 years ago.
Rhonda Coriell Shear
Mrs. Rhonda is an assistant instructor at our Prairieville school. She is a 3rd Dan in Tang Soo Do, 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do and 1st Dan in Hapkido. She began her martial arts training in 1985 and with the U.S.A. Academy of Martial Arts in 2015.
Aiden Bercegeay
Mr. Aiden, our Karate Kids instructor at our St. Amant location, has been training at USA AMA for 8 years. He is a 2nd Dan in Tang Soo Do, 2nd Dan in Tae Kwon Do, and 1st Dan in Hapkido.