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Douglas Nakane – Sr. Master

Douglas Nakane – Sr. Master

7th Degree Black Belt

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…

Laura Kapala

Laura Kapala

4th Degree Black Belt

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…

Tony Bruno

Tony Bruno

4th Degree Black Belt

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.

Bridget Welninski

Bridget Welninski

2nd Degree Black Belt

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.

Valarie Kacinskas

Valarie Kacinskas

XMA Gymnastics Instructor

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…

Wayne McClain

Wayne McClain

4th Degree Black Belt

Certified Instructor Wayne McClain started his martial arts training in Kick Boxing. In 2002, he made the switch to the ATA and he has never looked back! He has been teaching Taekwondo since 2002. Mr. McClain is an instructor at the Lombard Academy.

Larry Russell

Larry Russell

3rd Degree Black Belt

Instructor Larry Russell has been training in the ATA since 2009.

Michael Hurst

Michael Hurst

3rd Degree Black Belt

Instructor Michael Hurst has been in the ATA since 2008. He is certified to teach Sexual Harassment, Assault and Rape Prevention (SHARP).

Kamron Turner

Kamron Turner

2nd Degree Black Belt

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.