Master Scott Homschek
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 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, 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 2006 Master Homschek was promoted to the rank of Oh Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) 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. More details about Warriors Path can be found at http://warriorspath.us/
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 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, 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 2006 Master Homschek was promoted to the rank of Oh Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) 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. More details about Warriors Path can be found at http://warriorspath.us/
Master Julia Harvey
Ms. Linda Russo
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 (Second Degree Black Belt) 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 Sam Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) in Spring 2003. She earned her Sah Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) in March 2011. Ms. Russo is an active member of the Region 8 - Western Leadership Class and an ardent supporter of the Region 8 Scholarship Program.
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 (Second Degree Black Belt) 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 Sam Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) in Spring 2003. She earned her Sah Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) in March 2011. Ms. Russo is an active member of the Region 8 - Western Leadership Class and an ardent supporter of the Region 8 Scholarship Program.
Mr. Rashaud Olson
Mr. Olson began his training in 1992 at the age of 10. His mother enrolled him at Vaughn’s Dojang in Pheonixville, PA. He exhibited an interest in the martial arts at an early age but he never actually thought he could succeed. With the instruction of Master Vaughn he was hooked and has been training ever since. He earned his Cho Dan (Black Belt) through Sam Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) ranks while training at Vaughn’s Dojang.
Mr. Olson earned a Bachelors of Science degree in English from Penn State University. There he resumed his training under Master Kaye, eventually serving as President of the Penn State Martial Arts Group. While at Penn State he had the opportunity to train under a number of other master instructors. He received a Masters in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He now works as a Middle School English teacher.
Mr. Olson earned a Bachelors of Science degree in English from Penn State University. There he resumed his training under Master Kaye, eventually serving as President of the Penn State Martial Arts Group. While at Penn State he had the opportunity to train under a number of other master instructors. He received a Masters in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He now works as a Middle School English teacher.
Ms. Elise Casello
Ms. Casello began her martial arts training at the age of seven at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy under Master Scott Homschek. She earned her Cho Dan (Black Belt) and E Dan (Second Degree Black Belt) under Master Homschek before she graduated from high school.
Ms. Casello attended Penn State University, where she continued her training under Master Michael Kaye and earned her Sam Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) in 2008. While at Penn State, Ms. Casello had the privilege of also training at Appalachia Tang Soo Do under Master Michael White, and at A Mountain Wind Martial Arts Studio, under Master Scott Merrill.
In May of 2010, Ms. Casello graduated from Penn State and moved back to the Pittsburgh area where she continues her training in her home studio, River Valley, while earning her Master’s in Elementary Education from California University of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Casello attended Penn State University, where she continued her training under Master Michael Kaye and earned her Sam Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) in 2008. While at Penn State, Ms. Casello had the privilege of also training at Appalachia Tang Soo Do under Master Michael White, and at A Mountain Wind Martial Arts Studio, under Master Scott Merrill.
In May of 2010, Ms. Casello graduated from Penn State and moved back to the Pittsburgh area where she continues her training in her home studio, River Valley, while earning her Master’s in Elementary Education from California University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Michael Holcomb
Mr. Holcolmb began training in 2000 at the age of 8 under the instruction of Master Homschek at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy. He earned the rank of Cho Dan (Black Belt) in the fall of 2005 and E Dan (Second Degree Black Belt) is September of 2007. He joined the River Valley Leadership Team in 2005 as an assistant instructor. He was very excited to earn his Instructor's Certification in 2010.
Mr Holcomb is currently attending Robert Morris University to earn His Bachelor's Degree while still training and teaching at River Valley.
Mr Holcomb is currently attending Robert Morris University to earn His Bachelor's Degree while still training and teaching at River Valley.
Ms. Brittany Scott
Ms. Scott began her Tang Soo Do training in 1994 at the age of 8 under the guidance of Master Scott Homschek at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. She earned her Cho Dan (Black Belt) in 1998 under Master Homschek before she graduated from high school. In 2010 she earned her E Dan (Second Degree Black Belt).
Ms. Scott earned her Associates degree in Business Administration from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute in 2006 and earned her Bachelors degree from Robert Morris University in Business Management in 2009.
Ms. Scott earned her Associates degree in Business Administration from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute in 2006 and earned her Bachelors degree from Robert Morris University in Business Management in 2009.
Ms. Abby McFarland
Ms. McFarland started training in January, 2005 under Master Homschek at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy. She earned her Cho Dan (Black Belt) in September , 2008. In September, 2010 she earned her E Dan (second degree Black Belt).
She graduated Hopewell High School in 2010, Currently she is attending Duquesne University.
She graduated Hopewell High School in 2010, Currently she is attending Duquesne University.
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. He is the captain of the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy Drill Team. In 2010, at the world championships, he took 1st place in the weapons competition and 3rd place in the forms competition. He also holds a Black Belt in Uechi-ryu Okinawan Karate and a Brown Belt in Shotokan Karate.
He has a Masters Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is Retired from the United States Army after 21 years of service.
He has a Masters Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is Retired from the United States Army after 21 years of service.
WorlTang Soo Do Association Headquarters
709 Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: 215-468-2121
Fax: 215-336-2121
E-mail: WTSDA@aol.comd