Instructors
KENNY MCGRAW, SEDRICK JOHNSON (NOT PICTURED: KYO SA NIM ANDY BASANEZ AND KYO SA NIM ELLIANA WALTER)
Sa Bom Nim Emily Bowman
Master Emily Bowman is the owner and master instructor of TWMAA. She is a 4th degree black belt and certified master instructor. She has won several grand championship trophies in weapons, sparring, and board breaking. In 2015, she was on the winning National Texas Fighting Team at the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan tournament in Las Vegas. Her passion for Tang Soo Do started at a young age when she started training at The Karate School in Atascocita, Texas. She works extremely hard to make sure all of her students are enjoying classes, having fun, and learning how to defend themselves at the same time. When she is not at TWMAA, Master Bowman enjoys hanging out with her family and her two cats Benny and Pepper.
Kyo Sa Nim Andy Basáñez
Andy Basáñez is a third-degree black belt and certified instructor with several division wins in sparring, forms, and board breaking. He started training at Ince Karate in 2014 under Master William Ince. He enjoys teaching Tang Soo Do because it is enjoyable, and he likes working with students of all ranks to make them better martial artists. When he is not at TWMAA, he attends the University of Houston to study construction management.
Kyo Sa Nim Elliana Walter
Elliana Walter is a second-degree black belt and certified instructor at The Woodlands Martial Arts Academy. She started training at Ince Karate in 2014 under Master William Ince. Elliana is currently studying criminology and is a cadet in the Air Force ROTC at Texas Tech University. She loves working with students of all ages and ranks and watching them advance in Tang Soo Do. In her free time, she enjoys wake surfing, playing guitar, and spending time with her friends and family.
Mr. Ralph Jones
Mr. Ralph Jones is a second-degree black belt who started his Tang Soo Do training in early 2019 at The Karate School – Atascocita, as a student under Sa Bom Nim Tripp Davis and Sa Bom Nim Emily Bowman. He is a 23-year Air Force veteran, who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves in 2010. Mr. Jones is also the proud father of his daughter, Lindsey, who trained in Tang Soo Do under Master Davis and Master Bowman, achieving the rank of second-degree black belt. When asked what drew him to Tang Soo Do: “Well my daughter of course, but that wasn’t the only reason. Being a former member of the military, I missed the spirit of comradery and the discipline of being part of a team. I wanted an outlet for self-improvement, to remain physically fit, and learn some self-defense skills. I also wanted to have an opportunity to help mentor our younger students, so that they can become the best young adults and citizens they can be. Tang Soo Do gave me that and so much more.”
Abigail Jaques
Abigail Jaques is a second-degree black belt at TWMAA and 16 years old. She started training in Tang Soo Do eight years ago due to bullying. With Tang Soo Do, she not only got stronger physically but mentally where she gained confidence in herself and her social skills. She loves school, spending time with her friends, line dancing, and working with the younger kids in class.
Sedrick Johnson
Sedrick is a first-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do here at TWMAA. He loves both the training and teaching that comes with the job because it feels like he is giving back as well as learning even more himself. He is also a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Tang Soo Do has brought him back to his love of martial arts. When he is not working or training, Sedrick enjoys street photography, working out, and buying new shoes.
Kenny McGraw
Kenny McGraw is a first-degree black belt here at TWMAA. She is an 18 year old college freshman studying forensics. She has been training in Tang Soo Do since she was 13 years old! Kenny is constantly drawing in her free time, always trying to create something new, and likes finding ways to help others.
Makenzie Turner
Makenzie Turner is a first-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do here at TWMAA. The training she does here has helped her grow as a person, especially in confidence. She won a gold medal in forms at the 17th ITF World Championships as well as many others in regional tournaments here in Texas. Outside of karate, Makenzie loves art and learning languages. She is currently learning Japanese and American Sign Language!