Master Scott Homschek (Chief Instructor)
Master Homschek began his training in 1981 at Shin Karate Institute of Trenton NJ. Under the guidance of Master Charles Irwin he achieved his Cho Dan (Black Belt) and continued to the rank of E Dan (Second 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 Sam Dan (Third 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 and daughter 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, edged weapons, improvised flexible weapons, one step training. 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 2022 Master Homschek was promoted to the rank of Chil Dan (7th Degree Black Belt) at the World Tang Soo Do Association's World Championship in Greensboro, NC. He is the Regional Director for WTSDA's Region 22 and is a proud member of the WTSDA Board of Directors.
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 Sam Dan (Third 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 and daughter 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, edged weapons, improvised flexible weapons, one step training. 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 2022 Master Homschek was promoted to the rank of Chil Dan (7th Degree Black Belt) at the World Tang Soo Do Association's World Championship in Greensboro, NC. He is the Regional Director for WTSDA's Region 22 and is a proud member of the WTSDA Board of Directors.
Master Linda Russo
Master Russo began her Tang Soo Do training in 1990 in Philadelphia, PA under the instruction of Master Mark Causerano. An avid tournament competitor, she earned a Grand Champion award as a Cho Dan Bo. After earning her Cho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) she competed in the 1994 WTSDA World Championships, taking 1st place in sparring and placing in both hyung and weapons competition.
Directly from that event, Master Russo moved across the country to Region 3, joining Ft. Crook Tang Soo Do, under the Guidance of Mr. Mark Eaton, E Dan. Ft. Crook TSD was held on Offutt Air Force Base in a hangar at the very end of the runway. Master Russo became an avid instructor helping teach both adults and children. While attending a graduate education program, she earned her E Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt).
Further professional training led to another move, this time to Pittsburgh, PA. There she began training and teaching at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy in Ambridge, PA. Under the guidance of Master Scott C Homscheck, she earned her Sam Dan (3rd degree) in 2003 and progressed to her current rank of Oh Dan (5th Degree) in 2018.
Master Russo enjoys teaching all ranks but particularly enjoys teaching hyung (forms) and specifically Dan Gum (dagger), Jingum (sword) to advanced students. She is developing a sword based curriculum including one-step techniques. Her nearly 14 years of training in Filipino martial arts adds to this endeavor.
In addition to a regular teaching schedule, she mentors new instructors, guiding them in teaching skills and helping them learn to troubleshoot student sticking points.
Master Russo has had many roles in both the studio, region and WTSDA level and hopes to continue giving back on all levels well into the future.
Directly from that event, Master Russo moved across the country to Region 3, joining Ft. Crook Tang Soo Do, under the Guidance of Mr. Mark Eaton, E Dan. Ft. Crook TSD was held on Offutt Air Force Base in a hangar at the very end of the runway. Master Russo became an avid instructor helping teach both adults and children. While attending a graduate education program, she earned her E Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt).
Further professional training led to another move, this time to Pittsburgh, PA. There she began training and teaching at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy in Ambridge, PA. Under the guidance of Master Scott C Homscheck, she earned her Sam Dan (3rd degree) in 2003 and progressed to her current rank of Oh Dan (5th Degree) in 2018.
Master Russo enjoys teaching all ranks but particularly enjoys teaching hyung (forms) and specifically Dan Gum (dagger), Jingum (sword) to advanced students. She is developing a sword based curriculum including one-step techniques. Her nearly 14 years of training in Filipino martial arts adds to this endeavor.
In addition to a regular teaching schedule, she mentors new instructors, guiding them in teaching skills and helping them learn to troubleshoot student sticking points.
Master Russo has had many roles in both the studio, region and WTSDA level and hopes to continue giving back on all levels well into the future.
Master Julia Harvey
Ms. Christina Mrkonja
Ms. Mrkonja joined River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy in 1993 as Master Homschek’s first youth student, earned her black belt in 1997, her second degree black belt in 2000 and her third degree black belt in 2003. Ms. Mrkonja also had the opportunity to train and instruct at Shin Karate Philadelphia under Grandmaster Jae C. Shin from 2003-2004. A certified instructor and lifetime Gold Member in the World Tang Soo Do Association, Ms. Mrkonja particularly enjoys teaching children and teens, and helps to manage the studio’s social media platforms.
When she’s not teaching martial arts, Ms. Mrkonja is a proud mom, fur mom and wife. She is a graduate of Penn State University and spent years working as a print journalist, writer and branding specialist.
When she’s not teaching martial arts, Ms. Mrkonja is a proud mom, fur mom and wife. She is a graduate of Penn State University and spent years working as a print journalist, writer and branding specialist.
Mr. Michael Mullins
Mr. Mullins began his Tang Soo Do training in 2004 under the guidance of Master Scott
Homschek at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He earned his Cho Dan (Black Belt) in Tang Soo Do in June 2009, his E Dan (2 nd Degree Black Belt) in 2011,
and his Sam Dan (3 rd Degree Black Belt) in 2015. He also holds a Black Belt in Uechi-ryu
Okinawan Karate.
He has authored the “River Valley Tang Soo Do Compendium” a catalog of all the WTSDA terms from all the WTSDA books.
His area of expertise includes staff work and breathing
techniques.
In 2020 he was inducted into the Region 22 Hall of Fame.
He has a Masters Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
He is retired from the United States Army after 21 years of service.
Homschek at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He earned his Cho Dan (Black Belt) in Tang Soo Do in June 2009, his E Dan (2 nd Degree Black Belt) in 2011,
and his Sam Dan (3 rd Degree Black Belt) in 2015. He also holds a Black Belt in Uechi-ryu
Okinawan Karate.
He has authored the “River Valley Tang Soo Do Compendium” a catalog of all the WTSDA terms from all the WTSDA books.
His area of expertise includes staff work and breathing
techniques.
In 2020 he was inducted into the Region 22 Hall of Fame.
He has a Masters Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
He is retired from the United States Army after 21 years of service.
Ms. Angeline Henzler
Ms. Henzler began training in Tang Soo Do in 2001 under the instruction of Master Lou Petrucci. In 2004, she transitioned training under the instruction of Master Robert Getty and Master Delana Getty in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do. Under their instruction, she earned her black belt in 2006, second degree black belt in 2007 and third degree black belt in 2010. She continued to train while pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree and served as Treasurer and President of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Martial Arts Club. Her participation in the martial arts club allowed her to cross train in other styles including Okinawan Karate & Kobujutsu under Sensei Matthew Kohler. In 2012 she arranged the university's first martial arts tournament with participation from several colleges and universities in the region.
In 2021, Ms. Henzler joined River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy and is proud to be part of the World Tang Soo Do Association.
Ms. Henzler is a corporate trainer for a large financial institution and a real estate agent outside of Tang Soo Do. In her free time she enjoys watching dogs, serving as Secretary for Kiwanis International and enjoys spending time with her family.
In 2021, Ms. Henzler joined River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy and is proud to be part of the World Tang Soo Do Association.
Ms. Henzler is a corporate trainer for a large financial institution and a real estate agent outside of Tang Soo Do. In her free time she enjoys watching dogs, serving as Secretary for Kiwanis International and enjoys spending time with her family.
Mr. Jonathan Hoyt
Mr. Hoyt began training in 2006 at Vaughn's Dojang in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. 3 years later, he began training under masters Ken and Nicole Peterman at Brandywine Martial Arts in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, where he earned his first (2011) and second (2017) degree black belts. Mr. Hoyt moved to Pittsburgh in 2017, and started training at River Valley, where he earned his third degree black belt in 2021.
Mr. Hoyt enjoys studying various methods of teaching in order to find the most effective way to instruct each individual student, as well as how to teach proper movement and injury prevention at all levels and ages.
Outside of the studio, Mr. Hoyt holds the title of Kantor at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, where he is responsible for planning, rehearsing, and playing music for all the Church's services. He holds a Master's degree in Theology, and is currently working on a Master's in Sacred Music.
Mr. Hoyt enjoys studying various methods of teaching in order to find the most effective way to instruct each individual student, as well as how to teach proper movement and injury prevention at all levels and ages.
Outside of the studio, Mr. Hoyt holds the title of Kantor at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, where he is responsible for planning, rehearsing, and playing music for all the Church's services. He holds a Master's degree in Theology, and is currently working on a Master's in Sacred Music.
Ms. Alexis Bohland
Ms. Bohland began her Tang Soo Do journey in 2006 at Buckeye Tang Soo Do under Master Tom Marker, to the rank of 1st gup (red stripe). After graduating with a degree in Construction Systems Management from Ohio State University, she moved to Pittsburgh in 2009 and continued her training at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy under Master Scott Homschek. Ms. Bohland earned her Cho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) in 2011, E Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in 2013 and Sam Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in 2022.
Before Tang Soo Do, Ms. Bohland trained in American Chun Do Kwan and Modern Arnis where she grew up in Toledo, Ohio.
As a certified instructor and lifetime Gold Member, Ms. Bohland loves combining functional conditioning exercises with Tang Soo Do and applying the movement to daily life. Ms. Bohland enjoys teaching all age groups and showing how Tang Soo Do applies to all activities, regardless of age.
Outside of the dojang, Ms. Bohland is a wife to Mr. Kevin Van Valkenburgh (2nd Degree Black Belt) and mother to two children who also train at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy.
Before Tang Soo Do, Ms. Bohland trained in American Chun Do Kwan and Modern Arnis where she grew up in Toledo, Ohio.
As a certified instructor and lifetime Gold Member, Ms. Bohland loves combining functional conditioning exercises with Tang Soo Do and applying the movement to daily life. Ms. Bohland enjoys teaching all age groups and showing how Tang Soo Do applies to all activities, regardless of age.
Outside of the dojang, Ms. Bohland is a wife to Mr. Kevin Van Valkenburgh (2nd Degree Black Belt) and mother to two children who also train at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy.
Ms. Kylie Shillingburg
Ms. Shillingburg has trained at River Valley under Master Homschek since January 2014. She obtained her black belt in November of 2017 and ever since then, she has been assisting with the youth and dragons' classes. In March of 2021, she had tested for E Dan and got promoted in May. Along with helping out with the dragon and youth classes, she is also our demo team captain.
When Ms. Shillingburg isn't at the studio training or assisting with classes, she is a high school senior at LPPACS along with taking nursing classes through CCBC. After graduation, she plans on extending her nursing degree another 2 years to get her bachelor's degree in nursing, while also maintaining her Tang Soo Do career.
When Ms. Shillingburg isn't at the studio training or assisting with classes, she is a high school senior at LPPACS along with taking nursing classes through CCBC. After graduation, she plans on extending her nursing degree another 2 years to get her bachelor's degree in nursing, while also maintaining her Tang Soo Do career.
Ms. Alexis Wright
Ms. Wright began training at the age of 14 on January 17th, 2012. She initially trained with her mom and sister; she and Mrs. Wright went on to earn their black belts in September 2015. She began instructing at River Valley in December of that year. Ms. Wright earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Robert Morris University, and she currently works for a consulting company. Her favorite part of teaching is getting students excited about class, and watching as they make their way to black belt. Outside of the studio, she enjoys dogs, books, art, and documentaries (especially when narrated by David Attenborough).
Mrs. Becky Wright
Mrs. Wright began training at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy on January 17th, 2012 in an effort to make a change. She quickly climbed the ranks and achieved black belt in November of 2015 and began working with the other instructors soon after.
Mrs. Wright is the mother of eight children, the grandmother to four more, and has a degree in Interior Design.
Mrs. Wright is the mother of eight children, the grandmother to four more, and has a degree in Interior Design.
Mrs. Mara Angelo
Mrs. Angelo began training at River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy under Master Scott Homschek in December of 2014 and earned her Cho Dan in March of 2022. She started assisting teaching in the Little Dragons program at River Valley in early 2021.
Mrs. Angelo has four children. For ten years, she has been a volunteer teacher to kids of a variety of ages at a local homeschooling co-op. She holds a BA in writing and literature. Her husband and three older children also currently train at River Valley.
Mrs. Angelo has four children. For ten years, she has been a volunteer teacher to kids of a variety of ages at a local homeschooling co-op. She holds a BA in writing and literature. Her husband and three older children also currently train at River Valley.
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World Tang Soo Do Association Headquarters
2436 Hanford Road Burlington, NC 27215 Phone: (336)-223-0056 or (215)-468-2121 E-mail: h[email protected] |