OUR INSTRUCTORS

Our Unparalleled Standards Makes Us the World's Best

Our Premier Martial Arts instructors go through a very extensive selection process to insure we have only the best and most talented instructors in the world. Once selected, they are put through an intense and rigorous series of training colleges to guarantee the quality of instruction that our students will receive. Once a Premier Martial Arts instructor is certified to teach our unique and effective system, they are then required to receive continuing martial arts and instructor education yearly. All our Certified Instructors are hold Black Belts, and most of them have been practicing Martial Arts since childhood.

This on-going training allows our instructors to stay up to date on the latest and most effective self- defense techniques, teaching methods, and exercise science. This re-certification process is our assurance that every Premier Martial Arts student will continue to receive only the very best in martial arts training. Premier Martial Arts instructors are professionals, we are experts in what we do. We expect our instructors to be the best, so you can expect the best from our instructors.
Each student is treated with respect, and is trained to the best of their own ability and potential. A student is never compared to anyone else. All of our instructors are highly motivated and care about ‘proper instruction’ of each and every student. All techniques are shown, broken down and taught in a slow, controlled and most importantly, supervised environment, until such a time as the instructors feel the student has mastered the technique.
 At Premier Martial Arts our instructors are there to guide, instruct, and motivate you to be the best that you can be.

Sa Bom Nim (Master) Karl Courage

D.A.N. # 27992)
Founder, Master Instructor
•    Native of Ireland. Came to the USA in 1986.
•    Trained in Kempo Karate and Tae Kwon Do in Ireland during his teenage years.
•    Began training in Tang Soo Do Karate in 1990.
•    Attained First Degree Black Belt in the Art of Tang Soo Do in 1994, testing under World-renowned Grand Master Chun Sik Kim.
•    Attained 4th Degree Black Belt in 2002 at the 43rd World Tang Soo Do Championships in Panama, testing under noted Grand Master Chun Sik Kim.
•    Certified Master  Instructor by the International Tang Soo Do Federation.
•    Opened Premier Martial Arts Encinitas in July 1999.


Kyosa Nim (certified instructor) Santhi Courage

(D.A.N. # 43105)
Co-owner, Senior Instructor
•    Native of Malaysia, came to USA in 1993.
•    Trained in traditional Karate in Malaysia from 10 years of age.
•    Attained Junior Black Belt at age 15 in 1987.
•    Attained First Degree Black Belt Shotokan Karate in Malaysia in 1989.
•    Began training in Tang Soo Do Karate in 2000 under Master Karl Courage.
•    Attained 1st Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do in 2002 at the 43rd World Tang Soo Do Championships in Panama, testing under noted Grand Master Chun Sik Kim.
•    Attained Second Degree Black Belt in 2004, testing under World-renowned Grand Master Chun Sik Kim.
•    Tested and promoted to Third Degree Black Belt in 2007
•    Certified Instructor by the International Tang Soo Do Federation.
 

Kirstin Van Zee

•    1994-Began martial arts training in Tucson, Arizona under Master Steve Hupp
     2000-Attained 1st Degree Black Belt from American Tae Kwon Do Super Karate
•    2003- Attained 2nd Degree Black Belt in (TKD)
     2004- Earned the Rank of Certified Instructor in Tae Kwon Do
•    2006- Attained 3rd Degree Black Belt (TKD)
     2008- National Exercise & Sports Training Association Certified Personal Trainer
•    2009- Began training in the art of Tang Soo Do
     2010- Earned 4th Degree Black Belt (TKD)
•    2011- Earned 1st Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do
      Continues advancement / training in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and XMA style weapons