Learn About Our Professional Martial Arts Staff
ll martial arts instructors at Little Rock Martial Arts are trained to ensure that our martial arts classes are safe, effective and fun.
Our instructors and instructor assistants are trained to focus on more than just teaching martial arts skills. Instructors also learn how to work with all students, tailoring their martial arts teaching methods to fit the individual child. Emphasis is put on encouragement and positive correction.
We are committed to teaching the physical skills of martial arts while applying attitude-shaping exercises aimed at bringing out the best character and physical potential in each student. Through weekly martial arts training, instructors advance their own martial art and educational knowledge to become even more effective martial arts teachers.
The Little Rock Martial Arts instructors are required to maintain their personal level of martial arts knowledge and a high level of personal growth. They are expected to take class on a regular basis and test at least once per year.
4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo
Owner, Master Instructor
Read Michelle Ray's Blog at http://michelleraylrma.wordpress.com/
2009 Member of the Ultimate Black Belt Test Team 6.
The owner and Master Instructor of Little Rock Martial Arts, Ms. Ray began her training in Taekwondo in 1977, becoming one of the first females to achieve her Black Belt at Little Rock Taekwondo Academy in 1978. After a hiatus of several years to devote her time to her family and business, Ms. Ray became active again at Little Rock Taekwondo Academy in 1996. Starting over as a white belt (beginner) student at the age of 39 in order to participate in class with her then 13 year old daughter, Ms. Ray rose through the ranks on an accelerated training program, earning her 1st degree Black Belt for a second time at the same school in 1998.
Achieving a life long dream to share the martial arts with others, she purchased Little Rock Taekwondo Academy in 1980, currently holding the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt.
Michelle is a proud member of The Ultimate Black Belt Test Team 6. The UBBT is a unique group of martial artists with the desire to actively make a difference in the lives of their students and to also have a lasting impact on the world.
http://ubbt.squarespace.com/
Ms. Ray and her staff are very active in providing education about Goal Setting, Bully Busters, and School Safe/Street Safe topics to students in central Arkansas schools.
Michelle is dedicated to educating the public about Self Defense. She has created an entertaining Self Defense Seminar that informs the participants about the Components of Violent Crime, the "Self Protection Ladder", Practical Safety Tips, the importance of Vebal Defense and realistic Physical Self Defense using Adrenal Stress training. She has been featured on Fox16 News, KATV Channel 7 News, KATV Channel 7 Good Morning Arkansas, KTHV Channel 11 News and B98.5 Radio "The Morning Rush".
Numerous free Community Project Self Defense Seminars have been held in an effort to inform women and their families of the realities of violent crime.
Ms. Ray also conducts seminars for corporate and private clients, including:
Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Baptist Hospital
Arkansas Children's Hospital
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
as well as numerous church, civic and private groups.
Sifu Frank Garza
4th Dan/American Kenpo Karate
Chief Instructor American Kenpo Karate Program
Chief Instructor Cross Training
A veteran of the Marine Corps, Sifu Garza is a former licensed armed security officer. He has worked as an armed bodyguard, as well as as a bouncer in nightclubs in Houston and Dallas gaining experience in "real life" self defense. He is considered an expert in self defense, weapons, and firearm safety, and has contributed to several books on the subjects.
Sifu Garza has attended Kenpo seminars by Grandmaster Ed Parker, Master Mike Pick, Master Larry Tatum, and Master Dave Hebler. In addition to his study of American Kenpo Karate, Mr. Garza has also studied Kenpo/Escrima/Kuntao/Silat under Sifu Bob Orlando, a student of Willem de Thouars. He has attended seminars by Professor Guro Dan Inosanto (a student of Bruce Lee), Guro Chris Kent (Escrima/JKD), Wally Jay (Small Circle JuJitsu), Sensei Ace Skigura(Judo), Sensei Ruben Martin (Judo).
Mr.Garza has also trained in Judo, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Brazillian JuJitsu.
In 2007, Mr. Garza was featured as a fictional character in best selling author Barry Eisler’s “Requiem for an Assasin” Mr. Eisler writes:
“To Frank “Pancho” Garza,
Bro Pancho, I’ve never known anyone as experienced with violence and yet with such a good heart. Thanks for helping me get the action sequences in the Rain books as realistic as they are, for everything else you’ve taught me, and for your friendship.
All the best and see you soon!
Barry Eisler
December 31, 2007
www.barryeisler.com
Chief Instructor Taekwondo
Mr. Jordan holds the title of Sparring National Champion 2004 and 2005, and Forms National Champion 2006. He brought home 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal from the 2005 International Championships in Las Vegas. In 2006 he won 3 Gold Medals and 1 Bronze Medal at the World Taekwondo Alliance World Championships in Las Vegas.
Mr. Jordan was awarded the Instructor of the Year in 2006. He achieved the designation of Nationally Certified Instructor in October of 2006.
In addition to training in Taekwondo, Mr. Jordan also trains in American Kenpo Karate.
Mr. Garbett trains in Taekwondo and American Kenpo Karate.
Mr. Reed began training at Little Rock Martial Arts at age 10, and currently holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt. After completing the Leadership Program and the Certified Instructor Training Program , he received his Red Collar Assistant Instructor Certification in 2006. A student at Pulaski Academy, Mr. Reed was one of the youngest staff members at Little Rock Martial Arts, joining the staff when he was only 14. He has received numerous medals in International competition, participating in tournaments from Orlando to Las Vegas.
Tracey Campbell began training in 1982 at Little Rock Martial Arts Academy. She earned the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in 1986.
Ms. Campbell took a break from training while she pursued her career in law enforcement. She has been with the Little Rock Police Department since 1987. She currently holds the rank of Sargeant.
In 1997, Ms. Campbell was persuaded to begin training in Taekwondo again by her sister, Michelle Ray. She started over as a white belt, progressing rapidly through the ranks on an accelerated "retro belt" system. She was honored to be awarded her 3rd Dan rank by her sister, Michelle Ray in December of 2005.
An accomplished martial artist, she is the USTF National Champion for both Forms and Sparring in 2005, and is the 2006 National Champion in Forms.
Ms. Campbell took a break from training while she pursued her career in law enforcement. She has been with the Little Rock Pllice Department since 1987. She currently holds the rank of Sergeant. Ms. Campbell also finds the time to teach several nights a week at Little Rock Martial Arts.
Even after several knee surgeries, Ms. Campbell actively trains in both Taekwondo and American Kenpo Karate at Little Rock Martial Arts.
James Roh
2nd Dan Taekwondo
Assistant Instructor
High Intensity Training/Leadership Class
Mr. Roh began training in 1987 at the age of ten, receiving a black belt. He trained in the Jae H. Kim Taekwondo Institute under Grand Master Kim. (8th Degree Black Belt) in Boston, MA from 1995 to 2000. He began training at Little Rock Martial Arts in 2003.
Mr. Roh graduated from Boston Universtity with a BA in Economics, Minor Business Administration.
Mr. Roh states “To be a black belt means to live according to a higher standard and to truly observe the student oath and the six tenets. To be the best that I can be in all that I do. To honor and respect my instructors and seniors by continuously improving upon what they have taught me and then to carry on the tradition by teaching others what I have learned.”
Mr. Roh is in charge of the High Intensity Training (Adult Leadership) class. Mr. Roh sets the example for the adult students to be at their peak of physical conditioning. He trains in the American Kenpo Karate program as well as the Taekwondo program at Little Rock Martial Arts.
