Our Instructors
All of the instructors at Sr. Master Nakane’s ATA Black Belt Academy are involved in a rigorous instructor certification process through the American Taekwondo Association, which has one of the most comprehensive instructor training programs in any martial arts style. Be assured that all the instructors and leadership students continue their training to give the students the best possible instruction. All instructors must re-certify on regular basis through regional and national training seminars.
Bridget Welninski
Ms. Bridget Welninski has been training in the ATA since 2008 and is an instructor at the Lombard Academy. She also is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate.
Douglas Nakane – Sr. Master
Chief Instructor, Sr. Master Douglas Nakane has been in the American Taekwondo Association for since 1981. He had taught ATA Taekwondo at Northwestern University, Evanston campus, for over twenty years, Roycemore Academy, North Chicago Park District, Country Club Hills school district and Head instructor at Western Illinois University to name a few. Sr. Master Nakane has taught self-defense seminars for…
Kamron Turner
Instructor Kamron has been training in the ATA since 2010. He had worked in Law enforcement and had served in the armed services as an Army Rangers.
Larry Russell
Instructor Larry Russell has been training in the ATA since 2009.
Laura Kapala
Certified instructor Laura Kapala is the Program Director at the Lombard Academy. After being involved in Kick Boxing, Mrs. Kapala decided to give ATA Taekwondo a try and the rest is history. In addition to teaching at the Lombard Academy, she also brings our ATA Tiger Taekwondo program to several daycare Centers in the Western Suburbs, where she trains pre-school-aged…
Michael Hurst
Instructor Michael Hurst has been in the ATA since 2008. He is certified to teach Sexual Harassment, Assault and Rape Prevention (SHARP).
Tony Bruno
Certified Instructor Tony Bruno started his martial arts career in Kick Boxing, where he earned a Black Belt. In 2003 Mr. Bruno began his journey in the ATA and has been teaching since 2003.
Valarie Kacinskas
Val Kacinskas has 6 years of experience with AAU gymnastics, as well as 5 years of experience with cheerleading and tumbling. In the 2012 AAU National Gymnastic Competition, she was ranked 7th in the nation. Now, she is headed into her 4th year on her school’s varsity cheerleading team. In 2017, her team placed top ten for the state of…