Ms. Linda Russo, Sam Dan

Mr. Roy Donaldson, Sam Dan

Ms. Vilma Reinard, E Dan

Mr. PJ Savie, E Dan

Mr. Dave Ilko, E Dan

Ms. Amy Ilko, Cho Dan

Mr. Christopher Shay, Cho Dan

Mr. Andrew Kiefer, Cho Dan

Master Homschek began his training in 1981 at Shin Karate Institute of Trenton NJ. Under the guidance of Master Charles Irwin he achieved his Black Belt and continued to the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt. Upon graduating high school, he began his college studies at the Pennsylvania State University - graduating in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Business Analysis. While at Penn State Master Homschek continued his training under the direction of Master Michael Kaye, and Master Kaye's instructor Master Michael White (Philipsburg, PA). It was during his college years that his love for teaching was cultivated. As an Assistant Instructor for the Penn State Martial Arts Group he learned the skills necessary to not only teach children and adults, but also the skills and desire to open his own school.

Shortly after graduation he moved to the Pittsburgh area, returning to the property where his wife grew up. It was at this time that he tested for his 3rd Degree Black Belt and established the tradition of Tang Soo Do in the community of Ambridge. Today, the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy has grown to represent a positive force in the community where friends and family can come together and to develop their minds, bodies and spirits.

At the World Tang Soo Do Association - 1998 World Championship in Orlando Florida he received the prestigious rank of Master from Grand Master Jae Chul Shin. The moment was made more special by having his wife Julia and their daughter Victoria present, as well as his mother, grand parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. His strong family ties are evident in the strong family bonds that permeate River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy.

Master Homschek has many areas of expertise including: forms, breaking, sparring, self defense, weapons, and specifically rope fighting. He has been an instructor at numerous local and regional events, including teaching at the very prestigious World Tang Soo Do Association's Masters Clinic on numerous occasions..

While he is proud of his technical expertise, he is more pleased with the development of his students. He believes that the accomplishments of an instructor's students are the true measure of the merits of an instructor. He feels very strongly about helping his students develop the skills necessary to become instructors in their own right and has committed himself to helping them open schools of their own.

In July of 2006 Master Homschek was promoted to the rank of 5th Dan at the World Tang Soo Do Association's World Championship in Anaheim, CA.

Master Homschek is also co-founder of Warrior's Path.  Warrior's Path offers intensive training seminars in open handed and weapons self defense.  Click on Warrior's Path for more details.

Ms. Russo began her Tang Soo Do training in 1991 under the guidance of Master Mark Causerano at the Tang Soo Do Karate Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She attended graduate school in Omaha, Nebraska where she continued her Tang Soo Do training in an old flight hanger on Offutt Air Force Base. With the guidance of instructor Mr. Mark Eaton of the Fort Crook Tang Soo Do Academy she earned her E Dan in 1996.

In June 2001, Ms. Russo moved back to her home state of Pennsylvania, settling in Pittsburgh where she joined the River Valley Tang So Do Academy under the instruction of Master Scott C. Homschek. She earned her 3rd Degree Black Belt in Spring 2003.  Ms. Russo is an active member of the Region 8 - Western Leadership Class and an ardent supporter of the Region 8 Scholarship Program.

Ms. Harvey began down the path of martial arts in 1991 at the age of 23, after a lengthy stint as a dancer. She had already graduated from the Penn. State University with a major in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Dance. Marriage to Mister Scott C. Homschek fueled an already burning passion for movement, exercise and discipline. Ms. Harvey has been employed as a child development specialist, job coach, and an intensive case manager for children with mental health diagnosis.

In addition to her responsibilities at River Valley, Ms. Harvey is the Chief Instructor and studio owner of Imperial Dragon Tang Soo Do Karate School.  Imperial Dragon currently offers classes for Little Dragons, Youth and Adult students.

Ms. Harvey is currently a third degree Black Belt and gold member in The World Tang Soo Do Association.

Mr. Donaldson is currently a resident of Baden, PA and is employed in the construction sales field in Warrendale, PA. He is a graduate of Hampton High School Class of 1986. In 1987 Mr. Donaldson began his training under Master Michael Kaye at the Penn State Martial Arts Group. He trained under Master Kaye until 1991. In 1991 Mr. Donaldson graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Administration of Justice. From Penn State he headed into the U.S. Army serving for four years with a Long Range Surveillance unit in the 82nd Airborne Division.

In 2000, Mr. Donaldson began training under Master Scott Homschek at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy and earned the rank of Cho Dan from the World Tang Soo Do Association in the Summer of 2001. He earned his E Dan in 2003 and his Sam Dan in 2006.

Mr. Savie started his journey in the martial arts at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy with Master Scott Homschek in 1998.  At that time, Mr. Savie’s teenage son Justin was a Cho Dan Bo and began training with him.  In April of 2002, he tested successfully and became a Cho Dan.  In September of 2005, he tested again and accomplished his current rank as an E Dan. 

The combination of being a health professional and training martial artist opened some unique doors for Mr. Savie in 1999. With Master John Beam from Lancaster Tang Soo Do as his mentor, Mr. Savie began training in Ki-Gong and other healing arts.  At this time, he is currently a member of the World Ki-Gong Club through the WTSDA and is ranked as a “Blue Shirt”.  He attends yearly training sessions with Grandmaster Shin and runs a weekly class in Ki-Gong at the RVTSDA.

Mr. Savie currently resides in Economy Borough, PA with his 2 children, a cat and a box turtle.  He is a graduate of Ambridge High School in 1977.  He attended the University of Miami, Fla. and graduated as a Physical Therapist in 1983.  He later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991 with a Master’s Degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.  Currently, he works for a private physical therapy practice as a Board Certified Specialist in Electrophysiological Physical Therapy performing EMG/NCV studies.  He has also been an adjunct clinical instructor for Duquesne University’s John G. Rangos School of Health Sciences since 1991.

Mr. Ilko began training in March 2001 when his wife wanted martial arts classes for her birthday.  During the time he was a green belt, he was invited into the River Valley  Leadership Class and began to assist Master Homschek with teaching the youth classes.  He has developed a love for teaching Tang Soo Do and now teaches at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy.  In September of 2005, Mr. Ilko earned the rank of Cho Dan and in 2007, E Dan.

After graduating from Ambridge Area High School in 1990, he attended California University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education.  He now teaches technology at a public high school in the east suburbs of Pittsburgh

In March 2001,  Ms. Ilko received a membership to River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy for her thirtieth birthday.   She started training to get into shape, but soon learned that she had a fond desire to become an instructor when she was asked to begin assisting Master Homschek and Ms. Harvey with youth and Little Dragon classes. 

Ms. Ilko is a professional dental hygienist after graduating from California University of PA with a bachelor’s degree.  She also attended the University of Pittsburgh and earned a certificate in dental hygiene.  She graduated from Ambridge Area High School in 1990. She is the mother to two daughters, Jaina and Mara.

In June of 2001 Mr. Shay began his training in the art of Tang Soo Do here at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy.  He quickly developed a passion for the art of Tang Soo Do, and by the time he was a 6^th Gup, he was invited to be part of the River Valley Leadership Team.   The Leadership Team provided him with opportunities to assist Master Homschek with the instruction of youth and youth beginner classes.  His love for teaching quickly grew as a result of the opportunities and experiences extended to him.  In April of 2006, Mr. Shay earned the rank of Cho Dan.

Mr. Kiefer began training in 2001 in order to join two of his sons who were actively participating in the Youth Beginner and Little Dragon Programs.  By the time he was a green belt he was asked to assist in the Little Dragons Program and was invited to participate in the River Valley Leadership Class.  As a member of the Leadership Team, he has assisted and taught in all classes from Little Dragon through adults.   In September of 2006, Mr. Kiefer earned the rank of Cho Dan.

Mr. Kiefer has resided in Western Pennsylvania all of his life.  He graduated from St. Vincent College in 1991 with his Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology.  He has over 15 years of professional experience in non-profit management, finance, and social services. 

When he is not training with his wife and five children, Mr. Kiefer is an avid student of parenting, child and personal development, and finance.  He enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family and is a skilled do-it-yourselfer.

World Tang Soo Do Association Headquarters
709 Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: 215-468-2121
Fax: 215-336-2121
E-mail: WTSDA@aol.com

River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy, LLC
625 Merchant Street
Ambridge, PA 15003
Phone: 724-266-6330
E-mail: info@rvtsda.com