Structured curriculum
Every belt has clear requirements, so students always know what they're working toward and parents can see progress.
Kids · Teens · Adults · Families
Build the habits of a Black Belt
Choe's Black Belt Academy helps kids, teens, adults and families build confidence, discipline, focus, fitness, leadership and martial arts skills through structured training and consistent progress.
Seven academies across Georgia and Maryland.
Try 2 Free Classes
Tell us who's training and we'll confirm a class time that fits your schedule.
Programs
Find the right class for your family
Every program follows the same curriculum standards, taught at the level that fits the student.
Ages 4–12
Kids Martial Arts
Confidence, focus, discipline, respect, fitness, and fun.
Explore this program →
Ages 13–17
Teen Martial Arts
Leadership, resilience, fitness, confidence, and personal growth.
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Ages 18+
Adult Martial Arts
Fitness, practical martial arts skills, stress relief, and meaningful progress.
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All ages, one mat
Family Martial Arts
Learn together, stay active together, and celebrate progress together.
Explore this program →Why Choe's
A martial arts education, not just a class
We are not simply teaching techniques. We help students develop the habits, confidence and resilience associated with becoming a Black Belt.
Character taught directly
Respect, focus, perseverance and leadership are part of the lesson plan, not an afterthought.
Classes grouped by age and level
A first-week white belt and an advanced student get appropriate instruction in the right group.
Beginner-friendly by design
Nobody is expected to arrive fit, flexible or experienced. We start where you are.
Family-focused schedules
Multiple class times each week, plus family classes so households can train together.
Local academies, one standard
Seven locations across Georgia and Maryland teaching the same curriculum and the same expectations.
The Black Belt mindset
Black Belt is more than a rank
It's a set of habits students practice inside martial arts so they can carry them into everyday life.
01
Show up consistently
Progress comes from attendance, not from motivation.
02
Keep working when it's hard
The skill you can't do yet is the one worth drilling.
03
Respect yourself and others
Standards on the mat apply to everyone, every class.
04
Stay focused
One instruction at a time, fully attended to.
05
Set goals
Every belt is a defined target with defined requirements.
06
Take responsibility
Your effort, your attitude, your progress.
07
Keep improving
Black belt is a starting point, not a finish line.
Locations
Seven academies, one standard
Each academy has its own instructors, schedule and phone number — and teaches the same curriculum.
Cumming, GA
Forsyth County
Build confidence, discipline, fitness, focus, and practical martial arts skills at Choe's Black Belt Academy in Cumming.
1614 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 100, Cumming, GA 30041
Dahlonega, GA
Lumpkin County
Martial arts training in the North Georgia mountains for kids, teens, adults and families at Choe's Black Belt Academy in Dahlonega.
101 Ethan Allen Dr Unit B, Dahlonega, GA 30533
Duluth, GA
Gwinnett County
Confidence, discipline and fitness for the whole family at Choe's Black Belt Academy in Duluth.
1630 Pleasant Hill Rd Suite 210, Duluth, GA 30096
Flowery Branch, GA
Hall County
Structured martial arts classes for kids, teens, adults and families at Choe's Black Belt Academy in Flowery Branch.
7380 Spout Springs Rd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Grayson, GA
Gwinnett County
A martial arts home for Grayson, Snellville and Loganville families at Choe's Black Belt Academy.
1365 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Jefferson, GA
Jackson County
Confidence, focus and fitness for Jackson County families at Choe's Black Belt Academy in Jefferson.
932 Lee St, Jefferson, GA 30549
Taneytown, MD
Carroll County
Martial arts for kids, teens, adults and families in Carroll County at Choe's Black Belt Academy in Taneytown.
417 E Baltimore St Suite A, Taneytown, MD 21787
Instructors
Meet the Choe's teaching team
RJ LoPresti
Academy Owner & Instructor
The greatest reward is helping others become the best version of themselves.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2004; martial arts leader since age six. Owns and operates Choe's Hapkido Schools and Shape Up Kickboxing Gyms.
- Teaching philosophy
- It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.
Krystal LoPresti
Instructor
It's more than training—it's a family that lifts each other up.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2013. Elementary educator with a degree in Elementary Education and a community-driven leader.
- Teaching philosophy
- Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.
Maurice Murphy
Academy Owner & Instructor
We're not just a team—we're a real family. Diverse, united, and always growing together.
- Experience
- Black belt since 1994. Martial arts school owner, mentor and lifelong entrepreneur with decades of experience in martial arts, business and leadership.
- Teaching philosophy
- Winning is a habit. — Vince Lombardi
Desiree Murphy
Instructor
Hapkido gave me more than fitness—it gave me lifelong friendships and community.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2004. Registered nurse and proud mom whose passion for martial arts began in her early twenties.
- Teaching philosophy
- If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
William J. Field
Academy Owner & Instructor
We're more than a school—we're family, and we've got each other's backs.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2020. Began his martial arts journey in 1992 with Taekwondo and later found his home at Choe's Hapkido. School owner and mentor passionate about helping others grow in skill and confidence.
- Teaching philosophy
- Every failure is a lesson learned.
Mercedes Field
Academy Owner & Instructor
Training has pushed me to grow in strength, endurance, and flexibility—both mentally and physically.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2024. Biomedical engineer from Georgia Tech and real estate director who joined martial arts to share an activity with her husband and found a supportive community.
- Teaching philosophy
- It always seems impossible until it's done.
Anthony Rivera
Academy Owner & Instructor
We're a family that kicks together and sticks together.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2011. After exploring team sports, Anthony found his path in martial arts, where focus, discipline and self-growth became his foundation. Mentor and motivator dedicated to creating those 'aha' moments for students.
- Teaching philosophy
- Respect is a two-way street, built on understanding and valuing others' perspectives, boundaries and worth. Now I get to teach others by being an example.
Pattiann Rivera
Academy Owner & Instructor
We're not just a martial arts school—we're a true community that grows together.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2012. Brings years of customer service and management experience, along with warmth, strength and leadership, to every class alongside her family.
- Teaching philosophy
- Respect, friendship and kindness matter most in an instructor. It elevates students' confidence in their techniques and creates a positive, happy life.
Stephen Taewoong Mallory
Academy Owner & Instructor
Choe's Hapkido is a family—we train hard, grow together and always support one another.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2019. Joined Hapkido after seeing its impact on his children and earned his black belt alongside all five of them. B.S. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech and a career as a software architect.
- Teaching philosophy
- Respect is the most valuable lesson I can impart. It is the foundation of a beautiful life—it breeds compassion and understanding.
Jim Havens
Instructor
Choe's Hapkido is a journey of self-discovery—and you're going to love it.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2008. Martial artist and musician who moved from stage combat in high school drama club to the real discipline of martial arts, finding a lifelong path of mental, physical and personal growth.
- Teaching philosophy
- All you could ever want or be, you already have and are.
Cassandra Mae Ansara
Instructor
Training here turned barriers into breakthroughs—and brought out the strongest version of me.
- Experience
- IT architect and cybersecurity expert with multiple degrees in Information Technology and nearly 20 years in the field, including a decade with the American Cancer Society. On track to earn her black belt in 2026.
- Teaching philosophy
- A good life is one lived in completeness.
PJ Moore
Academy Owner & Instructor
Sparring taught me more than self-defense—it taught me anything can be figured out.
- Experience
- Black belt since 2019. Martial arts school owner and former asphalt pro who fell in love with martial arts as a kid watching Kung Fu Theater with his brother. Built a business on passion, purpose and consistent effort.
- Teaching philosophy
- Talent is a pursued interest.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
The questions new families ask us most often.
What does the 2 free classes trial include?
Two full classes at the academy and program that fits you, at no cost and with no obligation to enroll.
What ages do you teach?
Kids from around age 4, teens, adults, and families who want to train together.
Do I need experience to start?
No. The majority of new students start with no martial arts background at all.
How often do students train?
Most students attend two to three classes a week. Your academy will recommend a schedule.
How do I choose a location?
Pick the academy closest to you from the Locations page — each has its own schedule, phone number and instructors.
Try 2 free classes at your local academy
Pick your academy, tell us who's training, and we'll confirm a class time that fits.