Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Professional Instructors

All martial arts instructors at Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy in Levittown, 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 Levittown 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 Levittown

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

  • 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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Sabumnim Elliott Park
Certified Fifth Degree Master Instructor
Head Coach of  Sparring Team 

Master Instructor Elliott Park is a 5th degree Black Belt and a Master Instructor at Y. H. Park TaeKwonDo School. His training began when he was 4 years old and still continues today. He is the youngest of the Park family. Master Elliott is the Head Coach of the Y. H. Park Demonstration team and Sparring Team which has won numerous accolades throughout the years.

Taekwondo Experience

• Promotion to 4th Dan Black Belt (November 2009)
• Instructor at Y. H. Park Taekwondo Academy
• Korean Youth Exchange Promotion Association participant at Kukkiwon (2005)
• Performed numerous demonstrations across New York State.
• Children’s coach for New York Open (2008)
• Gold medalist (sparring, forms) Governors Cup (2000)
• Gold medalist (sparring, forms) New York State Championship (1999)
• Started as Taekwondo white belt in Y. H. Park Olympic Taekwondo (1998)

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Sabumnim Adam Reidlinger
Certified 4th Degree Black Belt
Head Coach of Demonstration Team / Instructor

Certified Master Instructor Adam is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and has been training at Y.H. Park for 10 + years.  Adam originally trained at the Williston Park location when he was 16 under Master Kim and Grandmaster Park. He now works at Y.H. Park training under Master Edward Park. He is a hard worker and a great motivator for the students. He aspires to one day open his own Y.H. Park Academy and carry on the proud tradition of Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy.

Taekwondo Experience

  • 2015 Promotion to Certified 2nd Degree Black Belt
  • 2015 Certified Instructor
  • 2013 NY Open Gold Medalist in Men’s Poomsae Division
  • 2013 NY Open Gold Medalist in Men’s Board Breaking Division
  • 2013 Promotion to Certified 1st Degree Black Belt
  • 2012 NY Open Gold Medalist in Men’s Poomsae Division
  • 2012 NY Open Gold Medalist in Men’s Board Breaking Division
  • 2012 NY Open Silver Medalist in Men’s Sparring Division

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Sabumnim Jillian Haxton

Certified 4th Degree Black Belt 

Instructor / Assistant Coach of Sparring Team

 

Jillian Haxton is a certified 4th-degree black belt at YH Park Taekwondo Academy. She has been training at YH Park since 2009 when she was 7 years old. She achieved her first-degree black belt in 2012, her second degree in 2015, and her third degree in 2018. Since 2017 she has taken on Sparring as her focus and has competed Nationally.  She teaches at the academy three times a week and enjoys being able to give back to the next generation of students.

Taekwondo Experience

  • Certified first degree Black Belt (2012)
  • Certified second degree Black Belt (2015)
  • NY Open Gold Medalist in Sparring (2017)
  • NY Open Gold Medalist in Sparring (2018)
  • Pennsylvania State Championships sliver medalist in Sparring (2018)
  • Certified third degree Black Belt (2018)
  • NY Open Gold Medalist in Sparring (2019)
  • Competed in Sparring at USA National Taekwondo Championships (2019)
  • Sparring Olympic hopeful (2019)

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Sabumnim Marc Zirogiannis

Certified 4th Degree Kukkiwon

International Master Instructor 

Marc began training TaeKwonDo in 1990, under Grandmaster Park, together with his two brothers. After earning his 1st Dan, in 1993, he took a “much regretted” sabbatical from TaeKwonDo training while developing his personal and professional life outside of the geographic area of the Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo Academy.

In 2010, Marc’s son, Deme, began training at the Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo Academy, under the direction of Master Edward Park. This inspired Marc to return to training in his much loved art and he has never looked back.

Marc has continued to train and develop his skills in all areas of TaeKwonDo. He has been an active member of the TaeKwonDo leadership. Marc has been actively involved in the TaeKwonDo community, acting as the leading journalist of TaeKwonDo in the world and writing extensively on the subject of TaeKwonDo news, training, and Referee development.

Marc considers the Park family to be an extension of his own family and loves the opportunity to work more closely with them in the development of TaeKwonDo enthusiasts.

Taekwondo Experience

  • Ongoing Referee Chairperson for the NY TaeKwonDo Open and Korean Cultural Festival
  • 1st Dan Black Belt in May of 1993
  • 2nd Dan Black Belt May 2014
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt July 2018
  • Leadership member- 2013-Present
  • USAT member
  • Korea Youth Promotion Association-USA-Board of Directors
  • Lead Correspondent for TaeKwonDo Times (2011-2015)
  • Editor-in-Chief of TaeKwonDo Life Magazine (2015)
  • Nationally Certified USAT Referee
  • ECTC Referee of the Year 2020-2021 College Season
  • 2022- Completed and Passed the Kukkiwon International Master’s Program

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Sabumnin MyungSun Thorsten 

Certified 4th Degree Black Belt 

Master Instructor

MyungSun starting training Tae kwon do in 1978 under Tiger Kim.  Took some time off, trained with Byung Min Kim, and earned 1st Dan in 1999.  Took some more time off, moved to long Island, trained with Grandmaster Shin, and earned 2nd Dan in 2010.  His niece Zena started training with YH Park and recommended the school to him.  He started training with YH Park in 2011 and received 3rd Dan in July 2018. All three of his children trained with YH Park.  Starting with my oldest Shari 1st Dan Black Belt, Jamie 2nd Dan Black Belt and currently my son Lucas Green belt trains at the school.

I began teaching in 1996 at a Middle School in the BX.  While teaching Social Studies, I was requested to teach Tae Kwon Do.  In 2000-2002, taught self- defense class for Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY.   Since joining NYPD in 2004, I have continued to teach students, teachers, and parents in Tae Kwon Do during afterschool.  I also taught self- defense to the victims of domestic violence.  Currently, the President of NYPD Tae Kwon Do team, training fellow officers in Tae Kwon Do.

  • 1st Dan Black Belt June 2001
  • Citation from Nassau County Mangano at the NY Open TKD Championships 2013       
  • 2nd Dan Black Belt Dec 2014
  • NY Open TKD Referee/Judge 2016-2022
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt July 2016
  • Co-Founder of NYPD Tae Kwon Do Club and present President of NYPD Tae Kwon Do   Team.
  • Gold Medal for breaking at 2011 NY TeaKwonDo Open and Korean Cultural Festival.

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Sabumnim David C. Hayes
Certified 4th Degree Black Belt
Master Instructor and Coach

Sabumnim David C. Hayes is a 4th Dan Black Belt, Master Instructor at YH Park Olympic TaeKwonDo where he has been a member for twelve years. David initially met Grand Master Park in Los Angeles in 1989 when he was selected by his former instructor, Master Kwang Bae Kim to appear on the cover of Karate Kung Fu Illustrated with Grand Master Park. David has coached five Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo students to victory at New York State Championships and USA Tae Kwon Do National qualifiers. He was inducted into the Malverne High School Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2007. David also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Adelphi University.

Taekwondo Experience

• Gold medalist (Sparring) New York Open Championship (2011)
• Gold medalist (Poomsae) New York Open Championship (2011)
• Coach at Y. H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo (2004 – 2010)
• Promotion to 3rd Dan Black Belt (June 2009)
• New York Open Championship Referee (2008)
• Gold medalist (Poomsae) New York State Championship (2007)
• Presidential Citation from the Kukkiwon (2006)
• Gold medalist (Poomsae) New York State Governors Cup (2006)
• Gold medalist (Poomsae) New York State Championship (2006)

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Sabumnim David Zabransky
Certified 4th Degree Black Belt

Master Instructor

David is a Fourth Dan Black Belt at YH Park Tae Kwon Do Academy and has been training for over 20 years.

David first met Grandmaster YH Park at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University in September 1990. David took a Tae Kwon Do class that was being taught by Grandmaster Park at the college. Upon completion of the course, David continued his training at the YH Park Tae Kwon Do school in East Meadow. In 1991, he was trusted to work at both the East Meadow School and the Commack School as an Assistant Manager.

David took a break from training in 1993 as a First Dan Black Belt in order to enter the NYPD Police Academy. David has stopped and started his training for various reasons over the years, but has always faithfully returned to YH Park Tae Kwon Do and currently has three of his four children training with him. David regularly assists Master Edward Park during class with both children and adult classes. David is currently a Patrol Sergeant in the NYPD with 18 years experience.

David’s experience as a Police Officer allows him to bring a unique and valuable point of view to class as we practice Tae Kwon Do as a group. He credits his Tae Kwon Do training as a major factor which gives him the confidence he needs to stay calm, relaxed and safe at work even when dangerous situations arise.

Tae Kwon Do Experience

  • Promotion to 3rd Dan Black Belt (December 2010)
  • Gold Medalist (Sparring) 2010 NY Open Championship
  • Silver Medalist (Poomse) 2010 NY Open Championship
  • Guest Speaker on “Safety” during YH Park Black Belt Test (2010)
  • Promotion to 2nd Dan Black Belt (June 2004)
  • Promotion to 1st Dan Black Belt (October 1993)
  • Assistant Manager YH Park Tae Kwon Do School (1991-1992)
  • Silver Medalist (Sparring) NY Tae Kwon Do Tournament (1991)
  • Started as a Tae Kwon Do White Belt at YH Park Tae Kwon Do (1990)

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Sabumnim Allison Zabransky

Certified 4th Degree Black Belt

Master Instructor

Instructor Allison Zabransky is a certified 3rd degree black belt. She began her taekwondo training in 2010 at the age of 8 years old. She began her training with her father, sister, and brother who are also Y.H. Park black belts.
Taekwondo Experience
  • Promotion to Certified 4th Degree (2023)
  • Taekwondo instructor (2022)
  • Taekwondo assistant instructor (2020)
  • Official Judge of the New York Open Taekwondo Championships (2020)
  • Certified 3rd degree black belt (2019)
  • Certified 2nd degree black belt (2015)
  • Certified first degree black belt (2013)
  • Began taekwondo with Y.H. Park as a white belt (March 2010)

 

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Kyosanim Jason Aptekar
Certified 3rd Degree Black Belt
Instructor

Jason began training TaeKwonDo while in college with Pan American Games team member, Master Instructor Chungsik Choi in Binghamton, NY. When Jason returned from college, at the advice of Master Choi, he began training at Y. H. Park TaeKwonDo Academy “East Meadow” School under Grandmaster Park and Head Master Instructor Jung Kim. In August of 1991 Jason had the pleasure of returning to Binghamton as a guest of Master Choi for the New York State TaeKwonDo Championship and representing both Master Choi and Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo Academy at the tournament.

After too many years Jason returned to Grandmaster Park in December of 2008 with his daughter, Maya. In June 2011 Maya earned her 1st Dan (one month before her 10th birthday!) Jason and Maya train together and participate in School and Demo team activities. Jason is Chair of the Activities Committee which organizes demos, special programs, and community outreach activities. He considers it a privilege to work with Grandmaster Y.H. Park, Master Edward Park, and the extraordinary group of people who make up the Y.H. Park TaeKwonDo Academy family.

Taekwondo Experience

•Secretary General of the 2011 NY TaeKwonDo Open and Korean Cultural Festival
•Gold Medals in Poomse and Sparring and Silver Medals in Breaking and Exhibition Sparring at the 2011 NY TaeKwonDo Open and Korean Cultural Festival
•Secretary General of the 2011 NY Taekwondo Open Championships
• Gold medalist for Poomse (forms), Breaking, Demo Team and Sparring in the Black Belt adult senior division at the 2011 U.S. TaeKwonDo Festival
• Gold medalist for Poomse (forms) and Silver medalist sparring in the Black Belt adult senior division at the 2010 NY Open Championship
• 1st Dan Black Belt in May of 2010
• Appointment to Executive Director of Y.H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo (January 2010)
• Awarded Letter of Commendation by World TaeKwonDo Headquarters Kukkiwon from Korea (December 2009)
• Promotion to Bo Dan Black Belt (November 2009)
• Awarded US TaeKwonDo Leaders Union Certificate of Appreciation (October 2009)
• Returned to Y. H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo after 18 years (2008)
• Promoted to 3rd Kub Red Belt (August 1991)
• Demo Team Member for demos at CW Post & other Long Island locations (1990 and 1991)
• Silver medalist (forms), Bronze medalist (sparring) New York State Championship (1991)
• Began training at Y. H. Park Olympic TaeKwonDo East Meadow School (1990)
• Started as TaeKwonDo white belt in Sang Lee’s TaeKwonDo Academy (1988)

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Kyosanim Alex Turcios
Certified 3rd Degree Black Belt
Instructor / Head Coach of Poomsae Team

Alex is a third Dan Black Belt at Y.H. Park Tae Kwon Do Academy and has been with us for over 10 years when he started at 11 years old.

He is the Head Coach of our Poomsae Competition Team. He is an excellent Tae Kwon Do practitioner who is consistently improving his skills and leadership ability every day. He helps instruct Master Edward Park 3 times a week with kids and adult classes.

He has competed in the World Class Forms Division at The USA Taekwondo National Championships and place second in Board Breaking at Nationals. In local and regional competitions, he has won gold in forms, board breaking and team demo and silver in sparring in competitions he has competed in.

Tae Kwon Do Experience

  • Competed in World Class Forms Division at USA Taekwondo National Championships (2013)
  • Silver Medalist (Board Breaking) USA Taekwondo National Championships (2013)
  • Gold Medalist (Board Breaking) New York State Championship (2013)
  • Silver Medalist (Forms) New York State Championship (2013)
  • Gold Medalist (forms, board breaking, team demo) U.S. Taekwondo Festival (2011)
  • Silver Medalist (sparring) U.S. Taekwondo Festival (2011)
  • Silver Medalist (forms) 2010 New York Open Bronze Medalist (sparring)
  • 2010 New York Open Intern for Korean Cultural Service of New York Taekwondo Demo Team (2010)
  • Assistant Instructor at Y.H. Park Olympic Taekwondo (2009)
  • Promotion to 1st Dan Black Belt (May 2009) Started as a Tae Kwon Do white belt at Y.H. Park Tae Kwon Do (2007)

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Kyosanim Marcus Kauffman

Certified 2nd Degree Black Belt

Instructor / Assistant Coach of Sparring Team

Marcus is a Certified 2nd degree black belt Instructor, Coach of our Sparring Team and has been training at YH Park since 2016 when he was 10 years old. He achieved his First degree black belt in 2019, his second degree in 2022. He joined our sparring team in 2018 and has competed locally and nationally. He teaches four times a week and loves to give back the knowledge he has leaned over the years to all of the students.

 

 

 

 

Taekwondo Experience

◦    Certified first degree
◦    Certified second- degree
◦    Maryland State Championship gold medalist (2020)
◦    New York open gold medalist- sparring(2019)
◦     New York open gold medalist- sparring(2021)
◦    Competes at USAT Grand Prix- sparring bronze medalist(2021)
◦    Comforted at USAT Nationals- sparring (2021)
◦    New York open gold medalist- sparring(2022)
◦    Assistant coach of YH park sparring team
◦    New York open gold medalist- sparring(2023)
◦    Interim head coach of sparring 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.