ABOUT US
Nothing beats a great foundation which can only come through leadership from excellent instructors.
What sets us apart from other schools
We believe achieving student goals is the key to a successful school. We start with quality instruction, then train our staff in excellence and customer service. The result is a pleasant learning experience for every student at our school.
We offer the best martial arts instruction in the area. Time and time again, we are told by the families of our students how much improvement they have seen in our students in and out of class.
The Concord school serves students from Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Cabarrus County, Rockwell, Charlotte and surrounding areas.
Meet Our Instructors
Sean Baxter
Master Instructor
Sixth Degree Black Belt
Mr. Baxter operates the Taekwondo America school in Concord NC, and has been teaching for over 20 years.
He received his black belt and instructor certification under Mr. George Strickland while in Charlotte NC and achieved his fifth degree black belt in 2005. Mr. Baxter started his martial arts training in 1984 and opened his school 11 years later in 1995. This year marks the school’s 14th year in business.
His background includes over 20 years in Information Technology and six years as an anti-armor specialist and expert marksman at Fort Bragg for the US Army with certifications in F.A.S.T. Defense from Bill Kipp of RMCAT in Colorado.
Mr. Baxter enjoys the strength and conditioning aspect of Taekwondo and looks forward to working with the students to achieve their goals in Taekwondo.
Jeff Hoffman
Senior Certified Instructor
Third Degree Decided Black Belt
Jeff Hoffman is from Gastonia, North Carolina. He has been in Concord since 1992, currently a medical doctor who practices Family Medicine since moving to Concord. He has been married for over 20 years and has two daughters.
His first Taekwondo experience was in 1980 in Charlotte, taking classes episodically through medical school and residency. He has been attending the Concord school since it started as a club in 1993 and has enjoyed seeing it grow to its current size and new location. He obtained his black belt in 1996 and has been a Certified Instructor since 1999.
“Many of my patients are quite surprised by my participation in TaeKwonDo. I have always enjoyed the motion and precision of the martial arts. I enjoy the intensity of the exercise and discipline required to attempt to excel in forms, sparring and teaching of TaeKwonDo.”
Benjamin Price
Senior Certified Instructor
Fourth Degree Black Belt
Mr. Benjamin Price began his Taekwondo training at the age of 9 in 1997. 2007 marked his 10th year anniversary with Concord Taekwondo America and we look forward to another decade with us as an excellent instructor.
Jennifer Foster
Senior Certified Instructor
Second Degree Senior Black Belt
Ms. Foster began her Taekwondo training in 2003 and received her black belt in 2005. She later earned her certification as an instructor the following year. As a student, and later as a black belt, Ms. Foster has competed in over 17 tournaments and attended numerous TKD camps and other events.
Recently she has successfully completed her Second Degree Senior rank through much hard work and perseverance. Congratulations!
Jacque Fike
Senior Certified Instructor
Third Black Belt
Ms. Jacque Fike started in September of 2003. She joined TaeKwonDo because she needed to get in shape and wanted to broaden her horizons. She wants to major in middle grade education, since it is her passion.
Ms. Fike is currently taking classes at UNCG and we wish her luck as she pursues her teaching degree.
“I enjoy meeting many new people and making friends. In the long run I have made some of my best friends and a new family.”
Dane Hall
Junior Certified Instructor
Third Degree Decided Black Belt
Mr. Dane Hall has been doing Taekwondo for since 2000. He’s currently a Junior Certified Instructor and a member of the Demo Team where he learned how to use the nunchakas and bo staff.
Mr. Hall started Taekwondo at the Charlotte Taekwondo America school, and came to Concord Taekwondo America when he was a yellow belt.
“When I was progressing through the color belts, I passed all of my tests. Since then, I’ve had a few hurtles, but I stuck with it. Being above second degree senior, I now test at the national level, and have passed my first few national tests”.
“Instructing has become part of my life, and I enjoy seeing students that I have taught pass their testing and otherwise succeed in their training. Not only this, but only through teaching somebody else the art can you fully appreciate it and all of its nuances.”
Kyle Sunderman
Junior Certified Instructor
Third Degree Black Belt
Mr. Kyle Sunderman’s TaeKwonDo career started when he was 6 years old in Ohio. Two years went by and Kyle reached his 2nd Degree Black Belt by the time he was 8.
When he was eleven his family moved to North Carolina. In the spring of 2005, Kyle walked through the doors of Concord TaeKwonDo and met Mr. Baxter. He, his father Chris (1st Degree Senior at the time), and his little brother, Conner, happily signed up again.
Currently, Kyle is a Junior Certified Instructor. He loves TaeKwonDo and enjoys drumming.
“I love everything about TaeKwonDo, the mental and physical training that develops me, all the fun things I get to do, but my favorite aspect of it is the people. I have lots of friends and I love my students.
My goal as an instructor is to further myself as a person and martial artist, but my main goal is to develop my students and give them a fun time. If they have a bad day or they’re just bored, I want them to be able to say ‘I wanna go to TaeKwonDo!’ Even when I’m having a bad day I like to go teach because they can cheer me up like nothing else can.”
Michael Cunningham
Senior Certified Instructor
Third Degree Black Belt
Mr. Cunningham has been training in taekwondo since 2000 and relocated to Concord and has been training under Mr. Baxter since 2007. In addition he's been a nurse for over ten years. "Both arts allow people to overcome challenges they think to be unbeatable. I enjoy teaching because it allows me to be a stepping stone to assist others in reaching their personal goals. My favorite quote is by Christopher Reeves who said " I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." |
Zach Morton
Certified Instructor
Third Degree Decided Black Belt
Zach Morton started training with Taekwondo America in December of 1996 at the age of 14. In September 2001, he took some off before rejoining with Concord TaeKwonDo in January of 2008. He hopes to one day open his own school.
During his break, school became the main focus. In May of 2007, he graduated from UNC Charlotte, majoring in Communication Studies, and a minor in Journalism.
"It feels great to come back and do something that I have always enjoyed. I hope I can be a good role model and teacher for the students.”
Jonathan Moyes
Certified Instructor
Second Degree Decided Black Belt
Born in England, Mr. Moyes relocated to Concord in 1993 due to a job opportunity. Mr. Moyes’ wife is a pre-school teacher, currently studying for her Master’s degree. He started training at Concord Taekwondo with his eldest son in June 2006. He was awarded my Black belt (1st degree decided) on his birthday in August 2008.
"I wanted to be an instructor because I enjoy helping others and my belief that I couldn’t fully develop as a Taekwondo practitioner until I could successfully teach others to achieve their potential."
Michael Rinaldo
Certified Instructor
First Degree Senior Black Belt
Mr. Michael Rinaldo joined Concord Taekwondo at the young age of 38 and worked hard to receive his first black belt by 40. Previously (1994) he was an instructor for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound Schools, where he worked with at-risk kids, teaching them life skills.
While he currently works in the business world, he continues to stay involved in teaching as an instructor with the National Apartment Association. His daughter, Taylor, joined the school two months before he did and he maintains that, for her and the impact he saw Taekwondo was having on her, he had started in the first place.
"I believe it is never too late to try something new regardless of age. My daughter started Tae Kwon Do in 2007 and I joined because I thought it was a great way to not only have an activity we could do as a family, but also stay in shape at the same time. I grew to love it and am honored to have the opportunity as an instructor to help others learn. I hope that I can be an inspiration to those out there who believe it is too late to follow their dreams."
Anthony Moore
Senior Certified Instructor
Second Degree Senior Black Belt
Mr. Anthony Moore started TaeKwonDo when he was 13 in the summer of 2005. In June of 2007 he asked Mr. Baxter if he could help out with some of the classes. After that first day of assisting class he made it his goal to become an instructor.
"Though, teaching does have its advantages such as working with kids, learning new things, and improving your own skill but it was not that easy as he had learned. "
"You get to challenge yourself to get students to really understand Taekwondo. When they achieve that, it is the best feeling. That is why I love teaching."
Nicole Mullins
Certified Instructor
Third Degree Decided Black Belt
Ms. Nicole Mullins began training in TaeKwonDo in 2005 at the age of 10, where she quickly developed a passion for the art. Since her first class, she has had a desired to perfect his skills and reach the level of Black Belt. While working to achieve her goal she added the aspiration of becoming an Instructor. In February of 2008 she earned her collar as an Certified Instructor.
“The closer I got to my goal of being a Black Belt the stronger my desire to be an instructor became. I just want to help others achieve their goals and pass on my passion for TaeKwonDo!”
Jasmine Plott
Instructor Trainee
Second Degree Decided Black Belt
Miss Plott began TaeKwonDo in 2005 when she was twelve. She didn’t really want to take TaeKwonDo but after her first class, she fell in love with it. Throughout her advancement through the ranks, she set some goals for herself. Two of which were achieving the rank of black belt and becoming an instructor. In June of 2008 she achieved the first goal and started helping out with classes. In October of that same year she tested for her collar and is now an Instructor Trainee.
“”
Josh DeBerardinis
Instructor Trainee
Second Degree Black Belt
Mr. Joshua DeBerardinis started Taekwondo in 2007 at the age of 11. When he became a black belt in 2009, he sought after becoming an instructor. Following his second attempt at instructor test, he received his collar in April of 2010.
“I wanted to become an instructor because I wished to help others experience what I have come to know and love in Taekwondo.”
