Instructors
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 Westphal
Kyo Sa Nim Westphal began training Shotokan in 1981 under GB Coach and World Team Champion Grandmaster Simon Kidd. In addition to Tang Sang Do he has a 1st Dan in Shotokan & a 2nd Dan in Taekwondo. In 1993, he placed 3rd in both the UK Form and Sparring competitions. He is a father to three, two of whom are also Black Belts and lives in the Woodlands with his wife. He has been an Investment Professional since 1980. Additionally, he trained under Dr Richard Bandler as a qualified Hypnotist and NLP Success Coach. Mr. Westphal started karate after being bullied at High School and stayed for the on-going challenge and comradery. He helps teach as he enjoys helping others improve themselves both mentally & physically.
Chris Ince
Chris is a third-degree black belt who has been training in martial arts since the age of 5. He enjoys teaching Tang Soo Do because he likes seeing people progress and improve throughout their martial arts journey. He enjoys playing sports and is pursuing a degree in business at Lone Star College.
Andy Basáñez
Andy Basáñez is a second-degree black belt 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.
Ralph Jones
Mr. Ralph Jones is a first-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.”
Elliana Walter
Elliana Walter is a first-degree black belt 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.
Tyler Harvey
Tyler Harvey is a green belt assistant instructor and TWMAA’s front desk manager. He likes Tang Soo Do because of its seriousness and that it isn’t “flashy” like other martial arts. He manages the after school and summer camp programs to assist Master Bowman. In his personal time, Tyler enjoys playing tabletop games
Eddie Basáñez
Eddie Basáñez is a green belt assistant instructor. He assists Master Bowman with the after school martial arts program. He likes Tang Soo Do because of the self-discipline and integrity it teaches the students. Eddie also achieved the rank of brown belt in Tae Kwon Do in 2013. When he is not training at TWMAA, Eddie enjoys watching movies during his free time and is studying anthropology at the University of Houston.