Instructors

 

	Master Phil Power President / Chief Instructor Master Power started TaeKwonDo in 1992 through a local martial arts instructor who was a student of Grand Master Tae Eun Lee’s.  Master Power instantly fell in love with this style of TaeKwonDo as he had previously tried several other martial arts.  Master Power knows what it’s like to be a student as he is always making trips to Ottawa to visit Grand Master Lee and to upgrade his knowledge and skill.  Master Power started in the Martial Arts when he just 15 years old.  He was trying to put himself through school and found himself losing focus and short tempered due to long school and work days.  After Master Power’s initial 3 month signup he was offered a scholarship in lieu of cleaning the dojang as his instructor knew of the financial hardship Master Power was experiencing. This truly was a turning point in Master Power’s life as not only was he learning Martial Arts, but he was learning life lessons that could not be taught any other way.  Master Power now had a new passion and found himself training in the dojang 7 days a week.  This eventually led to a teaching position and a full time paid position as an instructor.  Now, Master Power has taken his passion further and opened up his very own dojang.  Grasshoppers has an unparalleled teaching system in Grand Master Lee’s Moo Kwang curriculum and Master Power believes he has some of the top instructors in Canada.  Master. Power’s passion for teaching is apparent in each and every class he does; Master Power is constantly challenging and pushing his instructors and students to new levels.  Master Power is a 4th Degree Black Belt, NCCP certified instructor, National Level I referee, President for TaeKwonDo Nova Scotia, and Eastern Canadian Director for Grand Master Lee’s Moo Kwang System.  Master Power is married and has 3 beautiful daughters and a newborn baby boy, which can all be found around the school, Mrs. Power can usually be found helping out or taking care of business in the office. Master Power will graduate in June of 2010 becoming a full Halifax Regional Police Officer.
	Mrs. Janine Burton Chief Assistant Instructor Janine has been in Grasshoppers since the club originated in Clayton Park in 2002.  (Janine has followed Master Power around everywhere he has moved as she thoroughly believes in his program and the philosophies of Grandmaster Lee.)  Janine initially joined TKD because her young son had joined, and she thought it looked like it would be a great way to get exercise as well as have fun.  As her son moved on to other sports, she continued on with her training and received her first degree Black Belt in 2005.   Janine enjoys teaching as well as training and is known throughout the school as being the memory expert!  Janine had this to say about her training; “It's great to see members progress in their belt levels as well as their dedication to the sport of TKD.  Even as a Black Belt, there is so much more to learn and perfect that my training is never finished.  There is always room for improvement and with this I have a never ending goal.”  Janine is a 2nd Degree WTF Black Belt and is employed by Bunge Foods Canada.
	Mr. Andre Kiley Assistant Instructor Andre began training in Ottawa, Ontario with Grandmaster Tae Eun Lee.  Andre started TaeKwonDo because he had always wanted to be involved in a Martial Art.  He had friends who finally convinced him to join.  Andre has been training for 6 years now and loves every minute of it.  Andre became extremely excited when asked to be an instructor when arriving in Halifax.  He enjoys giving students a challenge, and watching as they exceed any expectation, through their hard work, and willingness to challenge themselves.  Andre is a 2nd degree WTF Black Belt, Level III National referee, and a certified NCCP instructor.  Andre is employed as a Police Officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
	Ms. Kaylaa Cummins Assistant Instructor Kaylaa is our top competitive student and has won double gold medals at the Provincial TaeKwonDo Championships as has been a medallist in every competition since starting in 2007.   Kaylaa has won the superstar award the past two years as well as winning the Grasshoppers scholarship this year for outstanding leadership. Kaylaa started teaching two years's ago in the After school program and is now a certified teaching assistant, Kaylaa is an outstanding young person that has the ability to adapt to any situation, and is a great asset to the team.   Kaylaa is a 1st Degree WTF Black Belt, Level III National referee, and is a full time student at Prince Andrew High School.
	Mr. Duane McOnie Assistant Instructor Duane began training at Grasshoppers in September of 2006 when the Dartmouth School first opened its doors. He had always had an interest in the Martial Arts, and was looking for a way to get in shape. To this day his enthusiasm for learning and instructing continues to grow. This is evident in the fact that Duane rarely misses a class and is always willing to help out around the school. (Duane has won Instructor of the year for the past two years)  Duane says that one of the best things about being a student / instructor is passing on what he has learned and watching other students grow as they progress through the ranks. Duane is a 1st degree WTF Black Belt, certified NCCP instructor, and is employed by Capital Health where he supervises the Housekeeping Department at Hospitals throughout the district.
	Mrs. Rhonda McOnie Assistant Instructor Rhonda joined Grasshoppers when Master Power opened the doors in Dartmouth in 2006. Her main goals for joining were for a form of exercise and self defense. She never dreamed that TKD could be more than a form of exercise. Now it has become a huge part of her life and couldn't imagine not training to improve herself both physically and mentally. Grasshoppers is not just a TKD School but also a family. It is always growing and it is great to see so many people enjoy everything that the school has to offer. It makes it worthwhile to continue training and to help train all the students in any way that you can. Rhonda is a 1st degree WTF Black Belt. She is employed by Capital Health as a Biomedical Electronics Engineering Technologist.
	Mr. Robert Powell Assistant Instructor Robert was attracted to the Grasshoppers Tae Kwon Do school by its dedication to the traditional "Art" of Martial Art. Robert earned his 1st degree WTF Black Belt in 1996 and spent another three years studying Kenpo Karate before joining the Grasshoppers family in 2006.  Robert decided to "start over" from the beginning belt levels as he wanted to improve his TaeKwonDo and learn the Moo Kwang style. Robert continues to work at improving his technique and Tae Kwon Do knowledge, and finds the technical aspect of the art fascinating. Rob's goals include obtaining his 2nd degree Black Belt and improving himself as a true Martial Artist. Robert is a 1st Degree WTF Black Belt and is employed as an off-shore geotechnical engineer.
	Dr. Nadine Trudeau Assistant Instructor Nadine began  training with the Grasshoppers family in 2006 after retiring from Highland Dancing.  She has previous training in Kenpo Karate and decided to try a different Marital Art.  She enjoys both the physical and technical challenges of Tae Kwon Do.  Nadine is continually trying to perfect her technique and improve her strength, endurance and jumping abilities. Nadine always gives herself a goal and takes pleasure in helping and teaching the students to reach their own personal goals. Nadine's next goals include achieving her 2nd degree Black Belt and improving her self-defense techniques. Nadine is a 1st Degree WTF Black Belt. She is employed as a veterinarian at Petworks.
	Mr. Austin Brennan Assistant Instructor Mr. Brennan is currently training towards his 4th degree black belt and has accepted another position with Bell Aliant.  This unfortunately has made it so that Mr. Brennan has had to take a "teaching hiatus" We hope to see Mr. Brennan back teaching again soon.
	Teaching Assistants Michael MacDonald Kelsey Hodder / Power Isa Rossi Gia Rossi Alyssa Hartlen

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