Programs
Little Lions
Our "Little Lion" Taekwondo program is perfect for young children ages 3-5, focusing on fun, age-appropriate lessons that teach motor skills, listening, and respect through exciting martial arts activities. It's a great way to help your child build confidence and develop positive habits from a young age!
Kids Taekwondo
Our kids' Taekwondo program helps build confidence, discipline, and focus through fun and engaging martial arts training, all while promoting physical fitness and teamwork. Join us to watch your child grow stronger, more confident, and ready to take on new challenges!
Teens & Adults
Our teen and adult Taekwondo program is designed to help you develop strength, flexibility, and mental focus while learning valuable self-defense skills. Whether you're looking to challenge yourself or improve your fitness, this program offers a supportive environment for growth at any level.
Hapkido
Our program teaches students of all ages how to use fluid movements to defend themselves against various threats, whether standing or on the ground. It combines joint locks, strikes, throws, and grappling techniques to create an effective martial art for personal safety.
MASTER DOHYUNG KIM - 7th Degree Black Belt
ABOUT ME
Master
DoHyung Kim
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17 years as a Tae Kwon Do coach
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18 years as a sparring athlete
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7th degree Tae Kwon Do black belt
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4th degree Hapkido black belt
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5th degree Kumdo black belt
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1st degree Judo black belt
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S. Korean Presidential Award for demonstration
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S. Korean Army sparring gold medalist & coach
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over 10 Times National Sparring Championship gold medalist
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Physical Education Teaching License
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Certificate of Qualification for International Taekwondo Master
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Licensed 2nd Class Taekwondo Judge
Meet the Team
We know what a difference individual attention makes in the growth and development of our students. We always have numerous instructors on the floor, and we adjust the number of teachers as necessary to maintain a low student-teacher ratio. Our school is staffed by a team of black belts as well as a head master instructor who are Kukkiwon-certified master-level instructors
Instructors & Leaders
Instructor
Ms. Kayla Feringa
3rd Degree KUKKIWON Black Belt
" Hi, my name is Kayla. My husband and I live in Davidson, and we are blessed with 3 amazing boys. I started Taekwondo as an adult in 2019. What started as helping my son on his martial arts journey, and personal exercise has turned into a life passion for me. Our school is truly an extension of my family. Seeing our students grow as people, in character and in technique is a gift for my soul. I am so proud of each and every one of our students. I’m grateful to be able to help guide them, and continue to learn alongside them. When I’m not at our Dojang you can usually find me volunteering at Davidson K-8. Fun facts about me- I love baking, reading, eating tacos, over thinking everything, and dancing like nobody is watching. =) "
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Leadership Team
Master Alex Cutcliff
4th Degree KUKKIWON Black Belt
"I began Taekwondo in Georgia at the age of five and trained until I moved to North Carolina in 2015. I acquired my first Dan black belt at a second dojang and transferred to 153 Taekwondo after earning my second dan black belt. This is where I have trained ever since and I greatly value Master Kim’s method of teaching Taekwondo. I have attended several tournaments and received various awards for sparing, forms, and board breaking. I have been both an instructor and the demonstration team captain for about 3 years. This experience has brought me so much joy seeing students improve their martial arts skills and character. Taekwondo has improved my confidence, leadership and communication skills, and made me a better person more so than I ever thought."
Leadership Team
Gary Eggers
3rd Degree KUKKIWON Black Belt
Growing up, I had always wanted to try martial arts but never had the opportunity. In 2018, I started studying Taekwondo under Master Kim in my early fifties along with my two children. What began as a fun, family activity has grown in to so much more. Master Kim’s emphasis on tradition, respect, focus and self-discipline have been great influences on my children, and me as well!
The workouts are balanced, fun and always challenging, but what I value the most is the supportive and inclusive family atmosphere we have created here at MAD TKD. My wife and I are very selective on who we want our children coached or influenced by and we have been blessed to find Master Kim and the rest of the MAD leadership team. We are all fully committed to bringing the best martial arts experience to all of our students from kids to those who begin their journey as grown folk like me!
Leadership Team
Micah Fox
2nd Degree KUKKIWON Black Belt
Being a part of the leadership team at Master Kim's taekwondo school in Cornelius has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I earned my black belt in 2011 in Raleigh under Master Kim's instruction, and after taking a break for family life, I returned to taekwondo when we moved to Cornelius in 2023.
One of my favorite parts of this journey is watching students persevere through challenges and achieve their goals, just as I did when I first started. Additionally, seeing my son take an interest in taekwondo and grow alongside the students has been special, reinforcing the values of discipline and hard work in our family. It's been fulfilling to not only mentor others but to also be a part of the community that Master Kim has built.
Demo Team Leadership
Team MAD153 Captain
Abby Cutcliff
3rd Degree KUKKIWON Black Belt
I started my taekwondo journey 5 years ago at the age of 12. What originally started as a “simple sport” grew into a hobby and something that I love. Before starting taekwondo I was really timid and shy and it was hard communicating with other people. 153 taekwondo and Master Kim really helped improve my confidence, on and off the mat. I now have the privilege of being our dojang’s demo team captain, where I have been able to develop my leadership skills further and have been able to help other students in their own growth and development. It is truly amazing seeing other students' love for taekwondo grow and seeing them reach their goals at each belt testing. 153 taekwondo has truly given me another family and has made me into a better person:)
Team MAD153 Co-Captain
Oliver Neff
2nd Degree KUKKIWON Black Belt
I started Taekwondo when I was 9. Since then, 153 Taekwondo has become a place and community that’s very special to me. A year after I started, I joined the demo team, and a few years later, the leadership team. I’ve earned my 2nd degree black belt, become co-captain of the demo team, and competed in multiple tournaments. I love 153 Taekwondo because it’s a place where you can be yourself and become a better leader, athlete, and person, and I’m so excited to see where it takes me.
Management
Manager & illustrator
Ms. Ellie Ha
Art Teacher
Reviews
Anastasia T.
“Absolutely amazing experience! My kids started Taekwondo here a year ago, and we were so impressed that my husband and I decided to join as well. Master Kim’s classes, in particular, have been fantastic. I love the sense of support and friendship in each session. Even though the classes are always filled with positive energy and fun. Master Kim strikes a perfect balance, helping the kids build strong discipline, focus, self-confidence, as well as physical strength and endurance. Joining this martial arts school has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone—whether you’re a beginner or an experienced martial artist."
Nicole H.
"My 5 year old started classes a few weeks ago and LOVES 153 Taekwondo. We tried a few trial classes at other martial art studios and weren't vibing with them. Master Kim is so good with kids, it's incredible! Mrs. Kayla is always there also and is such a sweet, positive instructor. They both exhibit incredible control over the kids and still makes the classes fun while teaching them how to focus. It feels very homey being at the studio with all the happy students. Love this studio, highly recommend!"
Samruddha P.
“My son and I absolutely love 153 Taekwondo. Master Kim is a great teacher - he is knowledgeable, patient, inspiring and makes each class fun and engaging. Master Kim celebrates every milestone and encourages you to push beyond your limits. Highly recommend!”
DoHYUNG KIM
7th DEGREE BLACK BELT
20121 N Main St #C
Cornelius, NC 28031
(Food Lion shopping center)
