Certified Instructors

Black Belts

The certified instructors at Master Kwon's Hapkido Karate School have many years of experience. All instructors have been tested and certified by Grandmaster Kwon. Instructors attend quarterly seminars to review and refine training techniques, as well as expand their skills. See our Black Belt page for a partial list of individuals who have earned their black belts under the instruction of Master Kwon, most of which have been assistants or instructors.

[ Master Instructors | Instructors | Assistant Instructors ]

Instructor Certificate Class, 29 October 2011

Masters

Master Carton is a 7^th Dan and is the senior instructor having trained with Master Kwon since 1974. Master Carton is a licensed firearms, O/C (pepper spray), baton, and handcuff instructor. He also specializes in weapons retention. He has over 30 years of security, personal and professional protective skills, and street self defense experience. He is starting his own personal defense and security instruction company. In an interview with Master Carton, he said:

"Hapkido gives you skills in self defense, a philosophy of action and living and confidence. Master Kwon is a great mentor, friend, and one of the finest individuals I have ever met. I enjoy teaching at the school for the interaction with the students, the ability to share knowledge, skills and to build confidence in people. I respect the different skills and knowledge that other instructors have. I love to share the martial arts skills with others. I have seen a great number of students progress under my tutelage. Some of them are now instructors with Master Kwon."

Master Fountain is a 7^th Dan and has been a mainstay in Master Kwon's dojang for 25 years. On the recommendation of his brother (a Los Angeles police officer), Mr. Fountain first made the drive from his Inglewood home to Master Kwon's Torrance studio in the late 1970s. "My older brother said that sometimes you have to go out of your way to get what you want," says Fountain. When he arrived, Fountain immediately saw that unlike many other martial arts, Hapkido focused on practical defenses and attacks. In action, the discipline incorporates grappling, striking, throws, breaks, and locks to swiftly disable opponents and end unpleasant confrontations. "The first time I saw Master Kwon, he demonstrated perfect technique, and he made it look natural. He was the first true Asian master that I had met," says Fountain. "Master Kwon is a legitimate master of Hapkido. If you are going to learn from someone, this is the man," says Fountain. While he has taught students of all ages, Mr. Fountain focuses now on the adult night classes. A retired electrical engineer, the 57 year old Fountain favors the late class because it fits his work schedule. While earlier classes must keep to a strict schedule, an extra benefit of the night class is the added time that students get. While day classes must adhere to a set time frame, there are no such limitations at night. If you need extra help or merely want to discuss fighting philosophy, Mr. Fountain will often stay late for extra practice. For more on Master Fountain, see Adult Classes

Master Fried is a 7^th Dan and has studied many different martial arts. Bryan Fried began his martial arts career in 1965 as a student of Skotokan stylists Phillip and Howard Umanski who trained under Bob Tiani at Tong Dojo in New York. He achieved a Nidan before moving with his family to Wantagh, New York. Bryan began training with National Karate Federation President Ed Gross in 1971. Eventually, he continued his training at the (Korean TaeKwonDo Assn President) Richard Chun TaeKwonDo center in Massapequa New York; a school which produced such Black Belt Magazine Hall of Famers such as Joe Hayes. In 1974, Bryan and three partners founded the Korean Karate Studio in North Levittown, New York. In 1975, he co-authored Weaponless Defense, A Law Enforcement Guide to Self Defense and Control, published by C.C. Thomas and Sons of Springfield, Illinois. During this time, he taught self defense tactics to the Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey. Bryan moved to southern California in 1977 where he continued his practice of TaeKwonDo eventually holding a third dan ranking. In 1988, Bryan met Grandmaster Kwon and has been training with him ever since. Bryan’s entire family, wife Cindy and sons David and Robert are students and instructors at Master Kwon’s Hapkido. Bryan Fried attended the City University of New York and St. Johns University School of Law. He currently serves as President & CEO of Visionaire Lighting in Rancho Dominguez, California and is a parter both in the Terravant Wine Company of Santa Ynez, California as well as Inception Wines.

Master Eva is a 6^th Dan.

Master Dean Kwon is a 6^th Dan.

Master Shuman is a 6^th Dan. Eric Shuman began training with Master Kwon in 1998. He started going four times a week and quickly went to eight times a week. Now he’s there for almost every class, especially the kid's classes. He has trained in other martial arts and appreciates Hapkido’s versatility and practicality. You’ll usually see one of his motorcycles parked in front of the studio.

Master Johnson is a 5^th Dan. He started training with Master Kwon in 1981. Prior to starting Hapkido, he had taken Aikido for about 3 years.

"Master Kwon has been a great friend and an invaluable instructor. (He has forgotten more about Hapkido than I will ever know!). I have learned more than just Hapkido while attending his school."

"I have enjoyed watching the kids and adults progress in both their techniques and self-confidence over the years."

Master Dane is a 5^th Dan. He started training with Master Kwon in 1992.

“A friend suggested I join him at Master Kwon’s Hapkido after his wife bought him a series of lessons. Previously I’d been exercising at the gym at work and jogging around the campus. When I visited Master Tae Man Kwon to sign up, I asked how his name related to Tae Kwon Do. He laughed and carefully explained his name and how Hap-Ki-Do was different from Tae Kwon Do. On my progression to 1st Dan Black Belt, I attended classes led by many of his senior black belts and learned much more than just techniques. As an instructor I continue to learn, including many things I’d forgotten. Over the years Master Kwon has become a good friend and advisor.”

Master Evans is a 5^th Dan Instructor. He began studying Martial Arts in 1994 in the art of Kenpo Karate. He studied Kenpo for several years, and had the opportunity to train under Senior Master Professor Dr. Ron Chapel. Mr. Evans took a break from studying Martial Arts and pursued other extracurricular recreational activities to stay active. After a four year hiatus from Martial Arts, Mr. Evans returned to Martial Arts training in the arts of Hapkido.

A student of Grand Master Tae M. Kwon and brother, Grand Master Tae Y. Kwon. Mr. Evans has benefited greatly from his time spent in learning, training and instructing under both Grand Masters with their decades of knowledge and experience in the art of Hapkido. He has also benefited greatly from training with their Masters and other Instructors. Studying Hapkido has helped in maintaining balance in life and has become a tremendous family bonding experience.

Instructors

Ms. Fried is a 4^th Dan. Cindy Fried is a native of Southern California. Born in East L.A., she grew up in Torrance and graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology before beginning her career in the title insurance business. In that regard, Cindy has run divisions for Ticor Title Insurance, Gateway Title and currently serves as President of the largest residential/commercial division for Fidelity National Title Insurance Group (FNF:NYSE) in the nation. Cindy met Grandmaster Kwon in 1988 when she and son David, then 5 years old, began training in the old location on Calle Mayor in Torrance. Cindy has opted to train for long periods of time in between promotions, achieving 1^st Dan in 1994, 2^nd in 2002 and 3^rd, also seven years later in 2009. She currently teaches on Saturday mornings, work schedule permitting, with husband Bryan. In addition to family and work responsibilities, Cindy is an avid skier, racing for South Bay Ski Club in Mammoth’s Chaminoix League for many years and was voted the United States Ski Association Snow Queen in 1977. Cindy also shares husband Bryan’s interests and participation in the wine industry as a partner both in Inception Wines and Terravant Wine Company.

Mr. Lee is a 4^th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido.

"I have been training with Master Kwon for over 25 years. Hapkido offers a balanced approach to self-defense combining strikes, kicks and blocks with escape techniques, throws and weapon training. Beyond the physical part, I’ve found that philosophy behind Hapkido has been beneficial both in my personal and professional endeavors."

"My family and I have enjoyed the time spent training with Master Kwon, and consider him a great mentor and friend. I look forward to passing knowledge about Hapkido training and philosophy on to the new students."

Mr. C Evans is a 3^rd Dan Assistant Instructor. He began studying Martial Arts in 2004. He occasionally slowed down or briefly stopped his Martial Arts training to participate in other youth sports activities. He has always eagerly returned to the enjoyment of training and assisting others with their training as an assistant instructor.

A student of Grand Master Tae M. Kwon and his brother, Grand Master Tae Y. Kwon. Mr. C. Evans has benefited greatly from his time spent in learning and training under both Grand Masters with their decades of knowledge and experience in the art of Hapkido. He has also benefited greatly from training under their Masters and other Instructors. For Mr. C. Evans, studying Hapkido has helped in developing leadership skills and focus in school.