Beaudoin Academy of Karate

DR. ROBERT E. BEAUDOIN
Master Instructor—7th Dan Black Belt

Dr. Robert E. Beaudoin
7th Dan

Dr. Robert E. Beaudoin started his study of the Martial Arts in 1960-61 while in the U.S. Air Force studying Chinese at Yale University. He earned his Black Belt under Master Jae Chul Shin while in Korea in 1962-63.

Dr. Beaudoin has taught thousands of students in the Waterbury area for more than thirty-five years and has promoted over three hundred Black Belts and ten Masters. His students have been from all professions and walks of life, and from four to seventy years old.

Master Beaudoin teaches many of his own classes including Tiny Tigers, Little Dragons, Advanced Children and Cho Dan Bos, as well as the Black Belt Excellence class. He also conducts the Masters Forum and special clinics...

TEACHING STAFF

Mr. Dan Farrelly, 4th Dan

Mr. Dan started Tang Soo Do in 1990 and earned his current rank of 4th dan in 2007. He has been teaching for 13 years and currently teaches Beginner Children, Beginner Adults and Advanced Adults.

Mr. Dan is President of our Black Belt Club, Demo Team Captain. He attended the Masters Leadership Training in Cambridge, England in 2003. He is interested in Japanese sword arts, self-defense/one-steps, breaking, forms and philosophy.

He says, "I always try to push myself to do my best. Everyone has something to teach you even if they don't realize it. Students need to not only learn but also laugh. Class needs to be fun and yet serious."

Mr. Mike Shukaitis, 3rd Dan

Mr. Mike began studying Tang Soo Do in 1992 and tested for his 3rd Dan in September 2004. He has been teaching for eight years and currently teaches Advanced Adults. He previously taught Beginner Children and Adults and started a Satellite school teaching at Pitney Bowes, responding to fellow employees asking about Tang Soo Do. This resulted in starting a small club which practiced a few times a week.

He says, "I like a strong challenging workout during the beginning of class. I believe in pushing people to help them find and reach their full potential. I like spreading the art."

Ms. Ellen Paine, 3rd Dan

Ms. Ellen began studying Tang Soo Do in 1992 and earned her 2nd Dan in October, 2002. She has been teaching for four years and currently teaching Beginner Adults. She has also studied Judo and sponsors and conducts self-defense seminars for the 4-H program. Ms. Ellen was Gaylord Hospital's Employee of the Year for 2004.

She says, "Learning forms make you pay attention to the details. The details make you a better person all around. Precision rather than overt force is key. Correct techniques bring power that will only increase when used properly."

Ms. Lynn Prifty, 2nd Dan

Lynn Prifty started Tang Soo Do in 1998 and earned her 2nd Degree Black Black Belt in September 2005. Ms. Lynn is a public school teacher and is an Assistant Instructor with the Beginner Children and Beginner Adult classes.

She says, "I really enjoy Tang Soo Do because it is not only challenging to the body, but also to the mind. Seeing students faces light up with confidence and pride when they've completed a task successfully, is so rewarding. Forms and weapons are my favorite s because they make me focus so intensely that sometimes I forget everything else around me."

Mr. George Berardi, 2nd Dan

Mr. George started Tang Soo Do in December 2000 and attained his 1st Dan in March, 2005. He has been teaching for two years and currently teaches Beginner Children and Adults. Mr. George was a public school teacher for 34 years and Martial arts have given him patience, dedication and focus.

He says, "Success is measured by hard work and training, not by rank or belts. Self-defense, forms and staff are my favorite part of training. Teaching one-steps is the most rewarding."