Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Professional Instructors

All martial arts instructors at Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy in North Massapequa, NY 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. Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy staff also are taught 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 knowledge, skills, and abilities to become even more effective martial arts teachers.

The Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy instructors are required to maintain their personal level of martial arts knowledge and a high level of personal growth. They are expected to take classes on a regular basis and test at least once per year.

Our North Massapequa martial arts staff at Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy looks forward to working with you.

Here is some additional information about our Taekwondo instructors:

Learn about our founder, Grand Master Y.H. Park

Y.H. Park Taekwondo Staff in North Massapequa

Sabumnim Edward Park
Certified Sixth Degree Black Belt 
Head Master Instructor

Head Master Instructor Edward began his training in TaeKwonDo at the age of 4. He is the elder son of the Park family and a 5th degree Black Belt. He graduated with honors from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a business degree and was inducted into the National Honor Society (Delta Mu Delta).

After graduating, Edward wanted to inspire people positively to make a difference in their lives. He chose to fulfill this passion through TaeKwonDo. Along with his many accolades with TaeKwonDo, Edward was also a three sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football) in high school. He was selected for the best male athlete award his senior year. He went on to play college baseball where he was voted as team captain.

He credits much of his academic and athletic success in his life to TaeKwonDo. It has given him the necessary focus, discipline and leadership skills that have been invaluable in his life. TaeKwonDo has been an instrumental part of his life and he wishes to teach others so they may benefit as well. He plans to build upon his past accomplishments and continue to grow as an individual.

TaeKwonDo Experience

  • Kukkiwon Certified 6th Degree Black Belt
  • 3rd Class Kukkiwon International Master Certification
  • Board member of American Sabumnim Association (ASA) (2019-Present)
  • Preparation Committee Chair of Korean American Night (2016- Present)
  • Officer & Board of Directors of KAMA (Korean American Martial Arts Association) (2016-Present)
  • 1st Recipient of Honorary 9/11 Memorial Black Belt.
  • Taekwondo Instructor for International Youth Fellowship (IYF) World Camp.
  • Director of New York Open Taekwondo Championships/Korean Cultural Festival.
  • Collaborated with Miss USA, Nia Sanchez, for the NYPD Police Youth Association Summer Program on Anti-Bullying.
  • Taekwondo Instructor at CAMPS R’ US Summer Program.
  • Promotion to 5th Dan Black Belt (November 2009).
  • Head Master Instructor at Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo Academy
  • Awarded Letter of Commendation by World TaeKwonDo Headquarters Kukkiwon from Korea (2009)
  • Assistant Instructor for physical education class at Long Island University C.W. Post
  • Performed demonstration for Mets baseball game at Shea Stadium & Citifield (2005, 2006, 2012)
  • Organized and instructed in an intramural self-defense class as College student.
  • Participated in 2008 New York Open as a judge and coach.
  • Member of demonstration team for 1993 World TaeKwonDo Championships held at Madison Square Garden
  • Gold medalist (Sparring) in New York State Championship (1994,1995)
  • Gold medalist (Sparring, Board Breaking) Governor’s Cup (1994, 1995)
  • Gold medalist (Sparring, Forms, Board Breaking) Y.H. Park Invitational (1995)
  • Special Training at World TaeKwonDo Headquarters Kukkiwon in Korea (1994)
  • Participated in TaeKwonDo charity events (March of Dimes, Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis)
  • Started as a TaeKwonDo white belt at Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo (1990)

 

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Master Adam Reidlinger

 

  • Kukkiwon Certified 4th Degree Black Belt
  • Program Director (After School Program, Camps & Birthday Parties
  • Head Coach of Demonstration Team
  • Affinity for Anime!

 

 

 

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Master Jillian Haxton

 

  • Kukkiwon Certified 4th Degree Black Belt
  • Team Coach of Sparring & Demonstration Team
  • USA Taekwondo International Sparring Competitor
  • First Ever Promoted Female Master at Y.H. Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Master Marc Zirogiannis

 

  •  Kukkiwon Certified International Master
  • USA Taekwondo Referee Vice Chairman
  • National Collegiate Referee Chairman
  • International Referee of Sparring/Poomsae
  • Chief Editor of Taekwondo Life Magazine

 

 

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Master Allison Zabransky

 

  • Kukkiwon Certified 4th Degree Black Belt
  • Team Coach of Poomsae Team
  • Fun Fact: Division 1 Cheerleading National Champion

 

 

 

 

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Instructor Alex Turcios

 

  • Kukkiwon Certified 3rd Degree Black Belt
  • Head Coach of Poomsae Team
  • Started as an 11 year old student at Y.H. Park in 2007

 

 

 

 

 

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Instructor Angel Jean

 

  • Kukkiwon Certified 3rd Degree Black Belt
  • Team Coach of Demonstration Team
  • Y.H. Park Social Media Content Creator
  • Taylor Swift enthusiast

 

 

 

 

 

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Instructor Marcus Kauffman

 

  • Kukkiwon Certified 2nd Degree Black Belt
  • Head Coach of Sparring Team
  • USA Taekwondo National Sparring Competitor
  • Rock & Roll Aficionado

 

 

 

 

 

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Master MyungSun Thorsten 

 

  • Kukkiwon Certified 4th Degree    
  • New York Open Taekwondo Official
  • Co-Founder of NYPD Tae Kwon Do Club
  • President of NYPD Tae Kwon Do Team

 

 

 

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Kyosanim Juliana Buongiovanni

Certified 3rd Degree Black Belt 

Posthumously honored as a Certified Instructor

“Our Sweet Julie – always our hero, always our #1”

A loving student, friend, captain and assistant Instructor. Juliana embodied the Taekwondo spirit as she exuded great leadership and kindness everyday. Her love for Taekwondo inevitably led her towards success as a Certified Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt and Team YH Park Demonstration Team Captain. Had a determination, smile, and heart that were second to none. Her special talent for bringing people together along with her humor/wit always brought cheer to everyone and created lasting memories.  A compassionate humanitarian, selfless leader, and positive role model for the younger kids. A recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2016 presented by the White House. Her 3rd Degree Black Belt test was a defining moment and will go down as legend etched in Y.H. Park history and lore. Fought hard and beat cancer as “Julie Strong” became a battlecry for which everyone found inspiration. It will forever be used to inspire the future generations of the Academy. Dream was realized as she was posthumously recognized as a Certified Instructor in May 2018. Juliana was special, a one of kind. She was our Sweet Julie – always our hero, always our #1.