KMAA Instructing Team

Our Instructing Team at the Korean Martial Arts Academy are professional, experienced and welcoming. We are passionate about Taekwondo and helping students on their journey at KMAA. Our team teach engaging, educational and practical martial arts classes. KMAA's Instructing Team regularly participate in training and development sessions to ensure the highest standard of martial arts instruction is provided.

Mr James Tallon (Sir)
Senior Chief Instructor & Director
Primarily teaches: Black Belt Classes 
Belt Level: 7th Dan Black Belt ​

Sir started his martial arts journey over 43 years ago after being inspired by a local Taekwondo demonstration. Since then, he has been heavily involved in the Australian martial arts community and has been instructing for 34 years. Sir believes that Taekwondo offers not only a physical but mental challenge which continues long after a student has reached their Black Belt. 

​In 2022, Sir will be grading for his 8th Dan Black Belt. He holds a Level 9 Certificate (highest level) in Bongsul and Kumsul. He is the current President of ACT Taekwondo and the former Poomsae Manager for the 2013 and 2014 World Poomsae Championships in Indonesia and Mexico. Sir is a Level 2 Australian Coaching Council approved Sports Coach and an NDIS approved service provider. He currently holds a Certificate IV Training and Assessment, First Aid and a Working With Vulnerable People's check.  

Sir strives for excellence in all levels of his instructing. He has been awarded the Australian Sports Medal (2000), the Best Spirit Award at the 2014 WTF Recognition Championship, and the EFC Platinum Leadership Award (2016). Sir was commended for his contribution to the team at Belconnen Community Service who were awarded the ACT Chief Minister's Inclusion Award for Excellence in Inclusive Services and Disability Support.

"Be present in training, be engaging." - Sir

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Ms Rachel 
General Manager
Belt Level: 
5th Dan Black Belt
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​Ms Rachel joined KMAA over 20 years ago, when classes were run out of community and school halls. Ms Rachel is passionate about ensuring our students are having the best possible experience and learning valuable life-skills.

In her role as General Manager, Ms Rachel is the glue that keeps everything together with her incredible attention to detail and care for staff and students. Aside from staff management and mentoring, she works behind the scenes to ensure that KMAA grows in the right direction and supports the needs of our students and the whole KMAA community.
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​"Balance is just as important as power and speed - slow down movements and work on core body strength." 

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​Mr Lachlan
Program Manager & Instructor
Belt level: ​
​4th Dan Black Belt
Primarily teaches: 
Pandas, Tigers, Dragons, Cadets, Adults & Junior Black Belts

Mr Lachlan is a dedicated member of the KMAA community and has been involved in running classes since he was 13 years old. Mr Lachlan enjoys watching his students develop and move through the programs and is committed to ensuring they enjoy and benefit from their training.

In his role as Program Manager, he is in charge of creating a great class structure and training our instructors to be their best, so that students have the best experience possible when they're on the floor. He continues to develop new ways to improve our programs to suit the needs of everyone at KMAA.
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"My favourite part about being an instructor is seeing my students progress."

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Ms Georgia 
Operations Manager & Instructor 
​Belt Level:
​​2nd Dan Black Belt
Primarily teaches:
Pandas, Tigers, Dragons, Cadets, Adults & Poomsae

Ms Georgia is a passionate instructor who aims to help students build their confidence, hone their skills and challenge themselves to reach their goals. 

​In her role as Operations Manager, Ms Georgia is there to make the parent and student experience off the floor as smooth as possible, by training and supporting our administration team to provide them with a positive and straightforward membership experience. She also manages events and projects for KMAA students and the greater community, such as competitions, social events and fundraisers.


​"Be confident and consistent in your training to see continued improvement."

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Ms Christine 
Role: Instructor
Primarily Teaches: Adults & Weapons
Belt level: 5th Dan Black Belt 

Ms Christine has impressively attained the highest graded level for two weapons styles and is currently working on her third. She has contributed to the creation and improvement of the weapons and self defence program requirements. 
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​"Train hard but have fun!"
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Mr Tim
​Role: Instructor
Primarily teaches: Adults & Weapons
Belt level: ​4th Dan Black Belt 

Mr Tim is an enthusiastic Instructor and a Nunchuku master! He has an in-depth knowledge about all aspects of Taekwondo taught at the Korean Martial Arts Academy and is committed to ensuring all his students are learning and progressing at the correct level and pace.
​"My favourite part about being an instructor is being part of the KMAA team!"

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Mr Patrick
Role: Instructor
Primarily teaches: Pandas, Tigers, Dragons, Cadets, Junior Black Belts & Adults
Belt level: 3rd Dan Black Belt

Mr Patrick is an enthusiastic and passionate instructor. His classes are always energetic, and he always ensures his students enjoy learning new techniques. 

"My training tip is to never be afraid to ask questions."

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Miss Emily
Role: Instructor
Primarily Teaches: Dragons
Belt Level: 3rd Dan Black Belt

Miss Emily is a fun, engaging and experienced instructor. She has been doing Taekwondo for most of her life and brings a wealth of knowledge to her classes. ​

​"Just because you fall, doesn't mean you can't get back up again."

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Miss Annika
Role: Instructor
Primarily teaches: Tigers, Dragons & Cadets
Belt level: ​3rd Dan Black Belt 

Miss Annika is a dedicated and passionate Instructor, who strives for excellence in all classes. She brings a wealth of technical knowledge to instructing. Miss Annika has lots of ideas to incorporate into classes, and enjoys watching students develop skills and progress.​
"The enthusiasm of the kids and the community is my favourite thing about instructing."

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Miss Aarushi
Role: Instructor
Primarily Teaches: Pandas & Tigers
Belt Level: 3rd Poom Black Belt

Miss Aarushi is a friendly, detail-oriented  instructor who is great at teaching students  discipline, focus, and respect while still  ensuring that they have fun!

"Give it a go!"

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Miss Laura 
Role: Instructor
Primarily teaches: ​Pandas, Tigers & Dragons
Belt level: 2nd Dan Black Belt

Miss Laura is a positive and hard-working instructor who enjoys sharing her martial arts knowledge and passion with students. She is great at bringing students out of their shell and building their confidence.
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​​"Try your hardest in EVERY class!"

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Miss Shea
Role: Instructor & Administration Officer
Primarily Teaches: Tigers & Dragons
Belt Level: 2nd Dan Black Belt

Miss Shea is patient and caring instructor who takes the time to get to know each of her students and make sure they feel encouraged and supported in class. She always puts the effort in to bring out the best in her students.
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​"Never be afraid to push yourself, you'll learn more if you do.
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Miss Netti
Role: Instructor & Administration Officer
Primarily teaches: Pandas, Tigers & Dragons
Belt level: 2nd Dan Black Belt

Miss Netti is a positive and engaging instructor who brings enthusiasm, energy and encouragement to her teaching. Every week, we see her students leave class with smiling faces and new techniques to practice at home.

​"Don't be afraid to make a mistake."

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Mr Callum
Role: Instructor
Primarily Teaches: Pandas,Tigers & Dragons
Belt Level: 2nd Dan Black Belt

Mr Callum is an enthusiastic instructor who  shares his passion for Taekwondo with his  students, and pushes his students to try their best when learning new skills.

"Don't let failure stop you from trying!"
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 Mr Matthew
 Role: Instructor
 Primarily teaches: Tigers, Dragons, Cadets   and Sparring
 Belt Level: 1st Dan Black Belt

 Mr Matthew is our head sparring coach, and is a patient, friendly and creative instructor who loves to push his students
to try new, fun and challenging things. ​He has a great understanding of all things athletic and is great at bringing his students to the next level.
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"Ask questions if you need help."

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Assistant Instructors

KMAA's Assistant Instructors are a fantastic team of students who have demonstrated dedication and focus in their own training. They have been selected by the Instructing Team as potential Instructors and undergo continual training to enhance their leadership skills. They are enthusiastic in their role and a valuable asset for all students and Instructors.
 
 All KMAA's Instructors are committed to their individual training and improvement as well as the training and development of the students.

Miss Sonia
2nd Poom Black Belt
​Assistant Instructor

Mr James
1st Dan Black Belt
​Assistant Instructor

Mr Oscar
1st Poom Black Belt
​​Assistant Instructor

Miss Chandah
Brown Belt Black Stripe
Assistant Instructor

Miss Charlotte
Brown Belt
​Assistant Instructor

Miss Zimitra
Red Belt
​Assistant Instructor

Miss Gabi
Blue Belt
​Assistant Instructor

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Administration Team

Our Instructing Team, students and families are supported by our welcoming and hard-working Administration Team.
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​Miss Georgia
Role: Operations Manager, Administration Officer & Instructor

Miss Georgia is an ANU student who first started her Taekwondo journey at KMAA in 2015 and is a 2nd Dan Black Belt. She loves teaching students all the way from our little Pandas through to Adults, and most loves instructing when she sees students building their confidence and taking on new challenges.

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​Miss Shea
Role: Administration Officer & Instructor

Miss Shea is a 2nd Dan Black Belt who has been training in Taekwondo for nearly 10 years. She is currently taking a gap year to focus on work and her future. She takes pride in watching all of her students achieve anything from their first kick, to a new belt!

​Miss Netti
Role: Administration Officer & Instructor

Miss Netti is a first year student at ANU who is studying Arts and Science (Psychology). She is a 2nd Dan Black Belt and has been training for almost 10 years. She has enjoyed her role as an instructor and is excited to join the Admin team! She loves seeing her students succeed in their training and takes great pride in all of her students accomplishments.