Our Instructors
Master Kee H. Kim and his family have been studying the Martial Arts for many, many generations. All of our nationally and internationally certified instructors are reflections of him and his teachings. However, rather than tell you about all of his and our other instructors' championships and belt rankings, we prefer to focus on our students. Certainly, we are proud of our instructors' accomplishments ... However, we are more proud of our students' achievements. Our instructors understand that each student's individual progress should be the main focus of their attention. That's why our instructors continue to be students themselves. They take classes, attend seminars, and continually work to improve their ability to help our students reach their goals.
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Year Born: 1969
Karate Student Since: 1973
Current Belt Rank: Kwan Jang Nim, (Master) 6th Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I was born into a martial arts family where it has been practiced and taught for many generations.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: Self defense, self discipline and foremost, self esteem. As a child I was a very shy boy. Martial arts gave me the courage and confidence to stand in front of a class and teach.
Philosophy: Martial arts is a way of life. To accomplish your goals you need your health (physical, mental and spiritual health are most important). Education, success, wealth, etc. come next. |
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Year Born: 1973
Karate Student Since: 2000
Current Belt Rank: Sah Bum Nim, 3rd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I began my martial arts with my oldest son. I also felt that I needed to learn humility and how to control my temper. In the line of work I was doing at the time I had a lot of stress and doing martial arts taught me how to become a better person both at work and at home. Becoming a martial artist has helped me build a lot of good relationships. I have grown so much as a person and have learned to give back to others what I’ve learned.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: One of the most important benefits that I get out of martial arts is learning how to fight so that I don’t have to. Once you realize this, you truly understand what a martial artist is.
Philosophy: A favorite saying of mine is, “No question is a dumb question and you’ll never get smart if you don’t ask questions”. |
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Year Born: 1957
Karate Student Since: 2001
Current Belt Rank: Sah Bum Nim, 3rd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I wanted to challenge myself more than ever before and I thought it would be fun – it is!
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: Discipline, education, fitness, friends, family and the immense pleasure in helping people reach their goals.
Philosophy: There are no such words as “can’t”, “if” or “but”. There are words such as “can” and “when”. “Can” says you will try. “When” is just a matter of time. Remember to get rid of your big “but” as it negates everything that comes before it. |
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Year Born: 1955
Karate Student Since: 2002
Current Belt Rank: Sah Bum Nim, 3rd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I joined a class with my daughter and never looked back.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: At the beginning it was for fitness. Then it grew into the enjoyment I get from being a part of the martial arts family at NKI. Martial Arts and NKI are a very important part of life as they reflect many of the values that are important to me.
Philosophy: The student creed that is important to me is, “I intend to develop self discipline in order to bring out the best of myself and others.” I believe that through hard work and humility, a martial artist sets a good example that others will want to follow. A karate student practices until he/she gets it right. A martial artist practices until he/she can’t get it wrong. |
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Year Born: 1968
Karate Student Since: 2002
Current Belt Rank: Sah Bum Nim, 3rd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I started taking martial arts classes after watching my son take classes and seeing how the classes benefited him. I then craving the same for myself. Since then, I have worked closely with Master Kim and have made martial arts part of my life. There has been no turning back.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: Martial arts have benefited all aspects of my life… as a father, a friend, employee, and, most important, as a human being. Martial arts defines who I am. It is not a role that I play. It is who I am.
Philosophy: Above all else, hold your integrity close to your heart. It is who you are regardless of whether or not someone is watching you. |
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Year Born: 1996
Karate Student Since: 2002
Current Belt Rank: Sah Bum Nim, 2nd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: My mom and dad enrolled in martial arts classes for self confidence and self defense.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: I’ve gained self confidence, have developed a more outgoing personality and I’m in better physical shape. Martial arts have also helped me focus in school and improve my grades.
Philosophy: Don’t quit when things get hard. Work through it! |
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Year Born: 1998
Karate Student Since: 2002
Current Belt Rank: Sah Bum Nim, 2nd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: My parents had this routine of taking me into town to get ice cream and then walking over to watch students take karate classes at NKI. I really enjoyed watching what they were doing so they signed me up.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: I’ve learned self defense and have become a better student in school. Most important, martial arts have helped me become a leader and role model for others.
Philosophy: Train hard to become a good martial artist so you can build confidence and self discipline. These skills will help you deal with confrontations in an appropriate manner. |
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Year Born: 1963
Karate Student Since: 2002
Current Belt Rank:Sah Bum Nim, 2nd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I started studying karate in 1985 then stopped to attend college and promised myself that I would one day start again. In 2003 I signed up my kids at NKI and then after a short time, I remembered my old promise and signed up myself,
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: NKI has been a home, complete with a great family. My fitness has increased, as well as my conditioning and determination. There is nothing I can’t do or won’t try.
Philosophy: I really believe that to fully experience karate, the family should do it together. You will spend time with your spouse and kids in a different way and get a much better understanding and appreciation of what they are feeling. People open up to each other in a different way when you train together. |
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Year Born: 1959
Karate Student Since: 2002
Current Belt Rank: Kyosa Nim, 2nd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I started taking martial arts classes because of my son. He was diagnosed with ADHD and karate was suggested as a way for him to develop self-discipline. I joined with him to be his support and coach.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: I enjoy the workouts and use martial arts as my primary exercise. I appreciate how fit I’ve become since I’ve started.
Philosophy: The most important thing is to try your best. Don’t expect to be perfect; work up to it. |
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Year Born: 1966
Karate Student Since: 2004
Current Belt Rank: Kyosa Nim, 2nd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: Enrolled children for self defense / confidence. I started taking martial arts classes as a personal challenge and as a family exercise activity.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: I’ve gained confidence and made many good friends.
Philosophy: Never quit. You never know what you can do unless you try. |
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Year Born: 1972
Karate Student Since: 2005
Current Belt Rank: Kyosa Nim, 2nd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: I began taking martial arts classes to have an activity with my daughter who had started 6 months earlier. This was also a way to get in shape and challenge myself.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: It is hard to think of a way I have not benefited from martial arts. I have become stronger physically (healthier, lost weight) as well as mentally (anger management, more positive attitude). Basically, I have become a better person through martial arts
Philosophy: Each moment of our life is precious and should be looked at in a positive way. Our thoughts create our future so we must have a positive outlook in the present. If you work hard physically and stay positive mentally, you can achieve anything. |
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Year Born: 1960
Karate Student Since: 1972
Current Belt Rank: Kyosa Nim, 2nd Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: When I was 12 years old, my father noticed that I had developed an explosive tempers so he enrolled me in martial arts classes.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: A deep awareness of self and the universe.
Philosophy: Learn to understand yourself before you try to understand your opponent. |
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Year Born: 1956
Karate Student Since: 2004
Current Belt Rank: Kyosa Nim, 1st Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: Because martial arts is an activity that enhances all aspects of life (physical, mental, emotional, and social, etc…)
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: Forms are a great way to exercise your mind (as well as your body). Forms help keep your brain “sharp”.
Philosophy: Keep coming to class consistently no matter what else is going on in your life. Find ways to balance martial arts with your other activities and responsibilities so that you can practice martial arts your entire life. Remember that after many years of practicing martial arts you will still be a student of martial arts (even after you become an expert and instructor). |
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Year Born: 1961
Karate Student Since: 2005
Current Belt Rank: Kyosa Nim, 1st Dan
How / why did you get into Martial Arts: A long mid-life crisis.
How do you benefit from Martial Arts: Martial arts brought me back to feeling normal – Once a warrior, always a warrior. Mentally, karate allows me to do other sports such as triathlons and endurance runs.
Philosophy: Keep moving!!! Old people can move too. |
