Member, WORLD TANG SOO DO ASSOCIATION
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EMAI Instructors
Sah Bum Nim Arielle Sekula
Master Arielle has been training in Tang Soo Do since age seven, teaching since she was eighteen, and she doesn't plan on stopping any time soon! Holding the rank of Sah Dan (4th Degree) Master in the WTSDA, she enjoys managing our Daleville location and leading our Special Needs program. When not on the Do Jang floor, she enjoys painting, hiking, spending time with family, and searching for the best buffalo chicken pizza.
Sah Bum Nim Darius White
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Sah Bum Nim John Potratz
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Sunim Sah Bum Nim Dudley C. Snyder
Dr. Snyder was born in 1952 in Johnstown, PA. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974 and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Purdue University in 1981. He retired in 2021 from his position as Tenured Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Penn State University, where he had taught since 1981. Dr. Snyder began training as a white belt in 1974 and gained a 1st Degree Black Belt with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation while at Purdue. He joined the World Tang Soo Do Association at the invitation of Grandmaster Shin during the Nov. 13, 1982 WTSDA Charter Convention in Philadelphia. He has remained with the WTSDA since that time and continues training and teaching with Elite Martial Arts in Northeast Pennsylvania. He presently holds the rank of Oh Dan (5th Degree), with a particular interest in the relationship between science and the martial arts. He has instructed at Masters’ Clinics on the use of the tonfa and lectured on the meaning of “becoming a better person through Tang Soo Do”. His favorite pastimes (outside of the Do Jang) are reading history and science-fiction, motorcycling, and target shooting.
Kookjae Sah Bum Nim George Conrad
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Sah Bum Nim Ellie Conrad
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Kyo Sah Nim Erik Buchakian
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Boo Sah Bum Nim Dan Ackers
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Boo Sah Bum Nim Ty Mazzga
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Boo Kyo Sah Nim Melissa R.
Miss Melissa had no idea what to expect when she wandered into the EMAI Do Jang in 2019. What she found was far more than just a structured fitness activity. She is incredibly grateful to everyone at EMAI and the entire WTSDA community for their support and encouragement along her training journey. She currently holds the rank of Cho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt). She enjoys visiting other WTSDA schools on her travels. To date, she has had the opportunity to train at 16 studios and can’t wait to add more! Since her introduction to Ki Gong at the WTSDA World Championship in 2022, it has become an integral part of her life, and she now teaches beginner Ki Gong classes at EMAI and online. Outside of the Do Jang, Miss Melissa has worked as a geoenvironmental engineer and enjoys solo and choral singing and playing the flute and handbells. She also loves reading, trivia, and cuddling with her cat.
Boo Kyo Sah Nim Tim Murphy
Mr. Murphy has been training hard and a loyal student of Tang Soo Do since the day he started training. He has been with Elite Martial Arts Institute since that day and now, as a Black Belt, he has opened another location for Elite Martial Arts Institute in Estero, FL.
Assistant Instructors
Jokyo Sah Nim Charles
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Jokyo Sah Nim Reagan
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Jokyo Sah Nim Liam
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EMAI Alumni
Darnell?
Anyone else?
Sah Bum Nim Beth Wulff Smith
Mrs. Smith has been training since she was 4 years old and is now a 4th Degree Master. She is also a teacher at the Wallenpaupack area school district.
Boo Kyo Sah Nim Elise Smith
Elise is a 3rd degree black belt and began training under the instruction of Master Rick Harsche as one of the first students of our school in 2005. She received her black belt in 2009. Elise is a registered nurse and mother of 4. "Tang Soo Do is a passion of mine. It betters your whole being. It strengthens your body and mind and releases such a positive energy. It's an amazing art that can benefit any life, whether you're 3 or you're 90."
Boo Kyo Sah Nim Debra Yanakis
Mrs. Yanakis started Karate after her daughter, Michelle. She loved to train with her daughter. Since then, she has earned a 3rd Degree Black Belt and is now instructing and in charge of most of our social events at the school. She continues to train hard and occasionally still competes at tournaments.
In Memoriam
Sah Bum Nim Jodi Cerminaro
Mrs. Cerminaro has been training with members of Elite Martial Arts Institute since she started as a White Belt. She is now a 3rd Degree Black Belt and internationally certified instructor. She is a great helper at the school and in charge of numerous initiatives to make the school more efficient. Mrs. Cerminaro lives in Scranton, PA with her husband. She started her training at the age of 34 with her two children of 8 and 10 years old. Throughout her 20 years of training she has had the opportunity to travel and train under the direction of several Masters and Senior Instructors of the WTSDA, eventually finding her home at Elite Martial Arts. She enjoys participating in Regional and World events within the association and loves to help others achieve their Black Belt goals and beyond. Mrs. Cerminaro is currently working towards her Sah Dan rank (4th Degree Black Belt Instructor).