About Us

8th dan black belt

Grand Master Lois Skidmore is an 8th-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and the head instructor of Community Martial Arts in Sacramento, California. She began her martial-arts training in the early 1980s under Grand Master Myung Kyu Kang, continuing a direct teaching line shaped by several distinguished instructors. With approximately forty-five years of continuous training and teaching, Grand Master Skidmore has advanced through the senior ranks of Tae Kwon Do and Tenio DeCuerdas Eskrima, culminating in her 8th-degree black belt, awarded in 2014. She expanded her martial-arts study into Tenio DeCuerdas Eskrima under Grand Master Aurther Gonzalez, later continuing her advanced training under Grand Master Daniel Siazon. She also trains under Grand Master Mark Berry, maintaining one of the longest continuing martial-arts traditions in the region. Her teaching career includes thousands of students and decades of community service through martial-arts education. In addition to traditional Tae Kwon Do and Tenio DeCuerdas Eskrima, Grand Master Skidmore teaches Cardio Kick Boxing Fitness, Meditative Movement to Music, and practical self-defense seminars. She is an inducted member of the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, recognized for her contributions to martial-arts instruction, community outreach, and mind-body wellness. Her teaching emphasizes internal development, confidence building, gentle health-oriented movement, and holistic wellness. As head instructor of Community Martial Arts, Grand Master Skidmore — along with her dedicated senior students — continues a legacy of traditional martial-arts training grounded in the Five Tenets of Tae Kwon Do: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit. has trained thousands of students in traditional Moo Duk Kwan techniques, forms, sparring, and martial-arts philosophy. He has also taught self-defense, kickboxing, and weapons training, and has participated in numerous martial-arts demonstrations and community events throughout Northern California.

8th dan black belt

Master Mark B. Berry is an 8th Dan Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan master instructor and the current head of Kang’s United Arts College in Sacramento, California, continuing the direct teaching line of Grand Master Myung Kyu Kang, 10th Dan Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan. Master Berry began martial-arts training in 1973 in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in the San Diego region under Michael Conery. He later trained for approximately two years in the San Francisco Bay Area in Kempo Karate, competed in kickboxing tournaments, and served as a Kempo instructor. While attending the University of California, Berkeley, he trained with the Tae Kwon Do club under Master Minn, a contemporary of Grand Master Kang, and participated in numerous martial-arts tournaments. After traveling for approximately two years through Africa, Eastern and Western Europe, and Asia, Master Berry began training under Grand Master Kang in Sacramento in about 1982. He has remained at Grand Master Kang’s dojang continuously, a period of approximately forty-four years, advancing through the senior Dan ranks and helping preserve one of the longest continuing Moo Duk Kwan traditions in the United States. His rank history currently culminates in his Eighth Dan, awarded at the end of 2025.

In addition to traditional Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan, Master Berry studied Qigong and Tai Chi under Grand Master Kang and continues to teach the principles, including internal and gentle health-oriented exercise. His Qigong work included efforts connected with the Mayo Clinic to present Qigong/Tai Chi as a restorative mind-body discipline, breathing methods, positive visualization, and movement practice designed for wellness, relaxation and mobility. Outside the dojang, Master Berry is an attorney, owner of a construction management consulting company, licensed general engineering contractor and former University of California instructor and lecturer. As headmaster of Kang’s United Arts College, LLC. Master Berry, along with his many dedicated senior students, continues Grand Master Kang’s legacy of traditional martial-arts training grounded in belief, respect, and appreciation with the understanding that Tae Kwon Do is not merely a sport, but a way to develop character, strengthen body and mind, and serve others.

5th dan black belt

Master Karen Mager has trained in martial arts for more than 30 years and holds a 5th-degree black belt. She brings more than 25 years of experience teaching tae kwon do and street defense seminars to both adults and children. As an instructor, she is known for her patience, attention to detail, and ability to help students better understand the small but important parts of each technique. Her teaching style is clear, supportive, and focused on helping students build confidence as they improve their skills. She also played a key role in developing our successful after-school program, helping create a positive and structured environment for young students. She currently focuses on teaching Meditative Movement to Music, a class designed to improve stretching, mobility, balance, and strength for older adults and for those returning to exercise after a long break.

5th dan black belt

Master Instructor Adam is a cornerstone of Community Martial Arts, bringing over 35 years of teaching experience and a distinguished 5th‑degree black belt to the South Natomas branch. His strong, fast‑paced teaching style blends traditional discipline with modern training methods, creating classes that are both fun and highly informative. Students appreciate his clarity, energy, and ability to make every session engaging and motivating.

Dedicated to his craft, Adam pushes students to reach their full potential through precision, power, and consistent encouragement. Under his excellent tutelage, students grow in skill, confidence, and discipline. Training with Master Instructor Adam offers a dynamic martial arts experience that challenges your limits and elevates your abilities.

3rd dan black belt

Lloyd brings over 30 years of experience in martial arts, specializing in Moo Duk Kwan and Tai Chi. His expertise as a technician shines through in his teaching style, where patience and clarity are paramount. We appreciate his unique ability to convey complex concepts with ease, making learning both effective and enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, Lloyd’s guidance will help you achieve your martial arts goals.contain

5th dan black belt

5th Dan black belt

I started in 1968 and trained at the Sacramento City College club taught by Master Byong Yu and Master Dan Kyu Choi.  I attended Master Jong Hwan Lee’s class at the downtown dojang. When they left, I trained under Master Kang.  I taught at the main dojang and at the UC Davis sports club.  I was fortunate to watch these original masters demonstrate their remarkable skills.  One of my tasks is to pass on the traditions of our martial arts and to show students the part of the martial arts beyond the self-defense.

5th dan black belt

Mark is a Master Instructor bring over 35 year of teaching experience. Mark specialized in Moo Duk Kwan Do (inclusive of throwing) most of his formative training experience was directly under 10th Dan Grandmaster Kang Myung Kyu, President Moo Duk Kwan (USA). Mark has a passion for student progression and nurturing, differentiated instruction for junior and senior belts of all ages and aptitude. Mark firmly believes that martial arts go beyond physicality and reveal life lessons through training.

5th dan black belt

Master Jones has trained in the traditional Moo Duk Kwan style of Tae Kwon Do as taught by 10th Dan Grandmaster Kang Myung Kyu Kangs United Arts College for 39 years and holds a 5th degree black belt. He has taught for 35 years in the tradition of the school in the exact way he has been taught by Grandmaster Kang. He believes in teaching the importance of hard work, discipline and patience to achieve success in the martial arts as well as in life.

4th dan black belt

4th dan black belt

Vinh Hoang is a 4th Dan Black Belt in Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo with decades of martial arts experience. He is dedicated to teaching the traditional principles of discipline, respect, self-defense, and personal growth. Believing that martial arts is a lifelong journey of learning and self-improvement, he enjoys helping students develop practical skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of traditional martial arts values. His goal is to inspire others to pursue excellence both in Taekwondo and in life.

Located in the greater Sacramento area, Siazon Martial Arts Academy is the premier destination for authentic Tenio Decuerdas Eskrima. Led by Grandmaster Daniel Siazon—the official lineage inheritor of Grandmaster Arthur Gonzalez—our academy teaches a highly effective, close-quarters Filipino combat system. While rooted in traditional Filipino warfare, Decuerdas Eskrima is seamlessly adapted for modern self-defense and “Less Than Lethal Force” scenarios.

The Martial Arts Journey of Grandmaster Daniel Siazon

Grandmaster Siazon’s dedication to combat arts spans over five decades, beginning in 1970. His extensive background includes deep immersion in multiple disciplines:

Filipino Martial Arts (FMA): Trained under legendary pioneers, including Grandmaster Angel Cabales (Serrada Eskrima), Grandmaster Leo Giron (Bahala Na Eskrima, where he graduated as an Instructor), Frank Rillamas (Cabales Serrada), Nito Noval (Doce Pares) and Grandmaster Wilson Vinas of Vinas Lapu-Lapu.

Empty-Hand Disciplines: Studied Goju-Ryu Karate under Sensei Rodney Hu Sr. and Gene Tibon, American Kenpo under Sifu Rick Fowler, as well as Judo and Aikido.

Malay Combat Systems: Currently trains under Grandmaster Philip Matedne, studying an intensive blend of Indonesian Pencak Silat, Eskrima, and Muay Thai rooted in the Mande Muda lineage.

Though his martial journey has led him to explore many systems—including seminars with icons like Dan Inosanto and the late Pendekar Herman Suwanda—Grandmaster Siazon’s true passion and core focus has always remained loyal to Decuerdas Eskrima.

A Legacy of Leadership & Lineage

The lineage of Tenio Decuerdas Eskrima is a direct line of mastery and trust:

Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio originally passed the system to his son, Grandmaster Richard Tenio, who led from 1994 to 2013.

In 2013, Grandmaster Richard Tenio passed the mantle of Grandmastership to Arthur Gonzalez (who had trained under the elder Tenio for 20 years).

In 2017, Grandmaster Arthur Gonzalez officially named Daniel Siazon as his successor. Following Grandmaster Gonzalez’s passing in 2019, Daniel Siazon deservingly ascended to the rank of Grandmaster of Tenio DeCuerdas Eskrima.

Today, Grandmaster Siazon continues to evolve his own skills while preserving this rich warrior heritage for the next generation of students in Sacramento.