Instructors

Our instructors, Grandmaster (Dr.) Gary Jameson and Master Kurt Valdez, have over 80 years of combined martial arts experience and a life-long dedication to teaching and learning martial arts.

 

jameson

Grandmaster Instructor - Dr. Gary Jameson

9th Dan - Tae Kwon Do

Martial Art Background: Dr. Jameson moved to the United States in 1972 at age 15 and started his training in Martial Arts that same year in Shotokan Karate. Then under Jim Botin he was introduced to the art of Tae Kwon Do. In 1990 he opened St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy and joined the National Tae Kwon Do Federation of America (NTFA) headed by Master Mike Brown.

Personal Background: Dr. Jameson has been in private practice in the St. Louis area since 1985, specializing in Chiropractic Medicine and Acupuncture. He has studied Oriental Medicine in China and the United States.

A few of Master Jameson's recognitions include:

  • International Tae Kwon Do and Martial Arts Alliance (ITKDMAA) President
  • United States Martial Arts (USMA) 2000 Hall of Fame (Instructor of the Year for Missouri)
  • USMA 2001 Hall of Fame (Master of the Year)
  • USMA 2002 Hall of Fame (Silver Life Award)
  • Certified AAU Coach and Referee
  • NTFA Regional Director for Missouri
  • International Martial Arts Council of America (IMAC) Missouri State Director
  • United International Federation of Martial Arts (UIFMA) Lifetime Member
  • Apprentice Instructor for Progressive Fighting Systems
valdez

Master Instructor - Kurt Valdez

7th Dan - Tae Kwon Do

1st Dan - Judo/Jujitsu

Martial Art Background: Mr. Valdez started his Martial Arts training at the age of 10 in Kung Fu. The year after he started his Tae Kwon Do training with Master Gary Jameson at the St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy under the National Tae Kwon Do Federation of America (NTFA).  In 2010 he started training under Sensei (Dr.) Omar Ahmad in Judo/Jujitsu.

Personal Background: Mr. Valdez currently works in Information Technology field as a Technical Architect.

A few of Mr. Valdez's recognitions include:

  • International Tae Kwon Do and Martial Arts Alliance (ITKDMAA) Vice President
  • World Wide Martial Arts Association (WWMAA) Board Member
  • United States Martial Arts (USMA) 2001 Hall of Fame (Martial Artist of the Year)
  • United States Martial Arts (USMA) 2012 Hall of Fame (Master)
  • Certified AAU Coach and Referee