WELCOME TO THE
A.T.S.D.A.
A.T.S.D.A. SCHOOL OWNERS
GRAND MASTER MARK COX
7th DAN GRANDMASTER
FOUNDER OF AMERICAS BEST CHATSWORTH KARATE
Mark Cox started his training in 1983 under Grand Master Dennis Ichikawa in Tarzana. His love for the Martial Arts and teaching even when he was a lower ranking student was evident from the beginning. Mr. Cox was born and raised here in California. He earned his 1st degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do under Dennis Ichikawa in 1987. He now has 4 children; 3 boys and 1 girl. Michael, Gabriel, Daniel, and Ariel). Mr. Cox had very meager beginnings; in 1987 Mr. Cox was a machinist and part time pool man with a mega dream. His dream was to have a martial arts studio that impacted the lives of 1000’s. His goal was to have over 100 Black Belts. Through God’s direction and perseverance Mr.Cox now operate one of largest schools in the San Fernando Valley that presently has over 400 Black Belts. Mr. Cox believed in himself and overcame very trying times and his school now impacts this community in a very positive way. As a Deputy Sheriff, Mr. Cox understands and works hand in hand with law enforcement to help keep our officers safe. Chatsworth Karate started in 1987 at the Church at Rocky Peak, after four years teaching the karate ministry Mr. Cox opened on the corner of Lassen and De Soto in 1990. In 1998 he had outgrown his location he then moved to his present location on the corner of Canoga and Devonshire. Mr. Cox is a family man and knows the value of leadership; he instills those values on a daily basis with both the adults and the juniors. His Born to Win slogan is known throughout the valley.
MASTER JASON FLAME
6th DAN MASTER
FOUNDER OF THE TANG SOO DO UNIVERSITY (MP)
Master Jason Flame is a 6th Degree Black Belt in the Korean art of Tang Soo Do, a 1st Degree Black Belt in Ketsugo Ju-Jitsu, a 1st Degree Black Belt in Hapkido, and has trained in the arts of Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do and Shotokan. Earning his 1st Dan Black Belt in August 1991 at the age of 17, Master Flame began teaching for Grandmaster Dennis Ichikawa at T.O./ Westlake Karate before beginning a martial arts program in 1994 at Moorpark’s Arroyo Vista Recreation Center. Master Flame is now the Chief Instructor and owner of the Tang Soo Do University and operates several after school satellite programs in Ventura County. A top instructor of both children and adults for over sixteen years, Master Flame is delighted to share his knowledge and love of martial arts, and looks forward to working with you!
MASTER JACOB FLAME
5th DAN MASTER
FOUNDER OF THE TANG SOO DO UNIVERSITY (NP)
Master Jacob Flame is a 5th Dan Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do. Earning his first Dan Black Belt in August 1995 at the age of 14, Master Flame began teaching for Grandmaster Dennis Ichikawa at the T.O./Westlake Karate Studio as well as Master Jason Flame's Tang Soo Do University. Master Flame has been actively training in American Tang Soo Do for over 20 years and has also studied various arts such as: Aikido, Sambo, Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Ketsugo Ju-Jitsu, as well as American Combat Ju-Jitsu. After serving as the head instructor of Jason Flame's Tang Soo Do University from 1994-2005 Master Jacob Flame opened his own school in April of 2005. Master Flame believes in American Tang Soo Do as a way of life, and not just an art. He believes in teaching his students to not only meet but to exceed every goal they set. He stresses that all students have the ability to achieve Black Belt Excellence in all that they do whether Martial Arts related or not.
MASTER BRANDON KEMMER
4th DAN MASTER
FOUNDER OF CUTTING EDGE KARATE
Master K. (as he's known here at the studio) is the owner/chief instructor at Cutting Edge. He began his martial arts training when he was just 6 years old at the Church at Rocky Peak. He is a 4th Dan Master Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do under Grandmaster Mark Cox and has devoted his life to training and teaching martial arts.Master Kemmer married his high school sweet heart, Nicole, after attaining his Bachelors of Science degree from DeVry University. In 2012, they had their first child and future American Tang Soo Do Master, Jonah.Now Master Kemmer teachs 6 days a week and is passionate about expanding his knowledge and learning new techniques. He cares deeply about his students and loves helping students young and old better their lives and achieve greatness!
MASTER NATHAN CARLEN
6th DAN MASTER
FOUNDER OFTHE CSP ACADEMY
Nathan Carlen was born in Panarama City, CA in 1978. He began training in the martial arts as a child in the arts of ninjutsu under John Hays and Aikido under Matea Sensei. He began training in American Tang Soo Do under Richard Mead in 1987. In 1990 he began training under Master Mark Cox at what was then Faith Mountain Karate and later became Chatsworth Karate and part of the American Tang Soo Do Alliance. It was through Master Cox that Nathan began to truly absorb the martial arts that have been a part of him ever since and earned his sixth degree black belt. In 1998 Nathan began to train in Shorin-Ryu and Shotokan under Shihan Dean Pickard, whom he earned the rank of shodan under in 2001. Shihan Pickard stressed strong technique built on solid fundamentals. Through the friendship of Master Cox Nathan has had the good fortune to train in Hapkido and earn his Black Belt in that art under Master Fariborz Azhakh at Team Karate Centers. He is also proud to call him self a student of Maha Guru Pak Victor de Thouars in Pentjak Silat Serak. Nathan also has the honor of being an Instructor under Guro Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny in Dogbrothers Martial Arts. In 2012 Nathan had the honor of receiving his black belt in Krav Maga from Master Danny Hazan. He has continued his training over time in various martial arts such as Iaido, Eskrima/Kali, Silat, White Crane Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai as well as a number of Western Martial Arts such as boxing, Catch Wrestling and Fencing. Nathan's single desire in the martial arts is quite simple. It is to give his students realistic skills to survive and become better people in the process through the training, discipline and self-confidence offered in the martial arts. He feels a teacher has one job, "Empower your students so that they will surpass you, that's how we improve as an art and as individuals."
MASTER FRANKIE McCONNEL
5th DAN MASTER
FOUNDER OF ACTON KARATE & KRAV MAGA
Master McCONNEL has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.
MASTER MIKEAL SMITH
5th DAN MASTER
FOUNDER OF ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS RENO NEVADA
Martial Arts training began in mid-nineteen seventy with Tae Kwon Do and Modern Arnis followed by training in American Tang Soo Do with International Champion Harold Gross and subsequently with Grand Master Dennis Ichikawa. Then trained in JuJitsu and NinJitsu with Professor L.L. Cary. After becoming a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do served as Chief Instructor for Mr. Gross until his retirement and currently the Chief Instructor in Nevada for the American Tang Soo Do Alliance headed by Grand Master Ichikawa.
MR. MATTHEW WHITE
1st DAN BLACK BELT
FOUNDER OF THE TANG SOO DO UNIVERSITY (BO)
Mr. Matt White is a 1st Degree Black Belt and owner of the Tang Soo Do University Bend. His excitement for martial arts shows on and off the mat. In his spare time he enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his family. Mr. Matt is delighted to share his knowledge and love of martial arts, and looks forward to working with you!
MR. ERIK RODRIGUEZ
2nd DAN BLACK BELT
FOUNDER OF DRAGONS DEN MARTIAL ARTS
10 years Martial Arts training and teaching experience.2nd Dan Black Belt American Tang Soo Do Extensive training in Sambo Grappling,Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing & Kickboxing. A Weapons Practitioner Trained in Weapons such asJapanese Sword, Kamas, Bo/Staff, Nunchaku & Arnis/Kali
Mr. Erik Rodriguez began his martial arts journey at the age of 24 as he excelled in the Martial Arts he Quickly found himself working and Managing the Martial Arts Studio in which he trained at, helping it to be one of the largest and successful schools in the San Fernando Valley. Over the years he has been trained by the Martial Arts Industries Association (MAIA) and learning to successfully Manage and Own a Martial arts studio as well as becoming a well rounded Martial Arts Instructor. He has had the honor of learning from the very best in the Martial arts world, learning teaching techniques from Grand Master Dennis Ichikawa Whom he credits as his Main mentor & Instructor. A true Ispiration In the Martial Arts, Grand Master Mark Cox (Americas Best Self Chatsworth Karate & Krav Maga) Teaching him to be Aggressive and Compassionate. And Master Jason Flame (MAIA Consultant & Owner of the T.S.D.U.) Teaching him that a Martial Arts Studio Is a family and living environment in which the students & Values are what is most important.
Mr. Rodriguez teaching style is energetic and fun! Motivating every student to the attainable goal of BLACK BELT! His passion and love for the Martial Arts has led him to devote his time to working with children and adults.
Over the years he has witnessed the good and bad aspects of the Martial Arts Business. As it gets tainted with Greed and Dishonor.
The goal of Mr. Rodriguez and Dragons Den Martial Arts is to offer practical and effective teachings, building strong individuals, at a price that everyone can afford. He wishes to teach the true meaning of martial arts.
GRAND MASTER DENNIS ICHIKAWA
9th DAN GRANDMASTER
FOUNDER OF THE A.T.S.D.A & THE T.O. WESTLAKE KARATE STUDIO
Dennis Ichikawa began his training with the Chuck Norris system in 1970. Though his instructors varied from Gerald Taylor, Victor Guerrero, Bob Barrow and Chuck Norris, Grandmaster Ichikawa credits Pat Johnson as his main mentor and inspiration as an instructor. Grandmaster Ichikawa has made his residence in Thousand Oaks since 1981, where he lives with his wife of 37 years and has 3 grown children. Grandmaster Ichikawa currently heads the American Tang Soo Do Alliance. This is a group of 8 programs run by black belts trained by the grandmaster: 7th dan Terry McMeekin, 7th dan Mark Cox, 6th dan Jason Flame, 5th dan Frankie McConnell, 5th dan Mikeal Smith (Reno) and 5th dan Aaron Lawrence, 5th dan Jacob Flame and 4th dan Clay Pierson (Georgia). This forms one of the largest groups of students and instructors related to the Chuck Norris family.
I would like to welcome all visitors of our website to our world of American Tang Soo Do karate. From my early days with Grandmasters Chuck Norris and Pat Johnson, my martial arts career has allowed me to positively affect the lives of many types of people. Young and old, weak and strong, students have come to me with a need and a vision of what they wanted to become. The ones who have left are better people for having submitted to our training. Those who are still with us continue to grow as people and martial artists. I am also very proud of my Black Belts who have ventured out to their own businesses. They have taken my teachings and made their own, successful enterprises that are flourishing in this, competitive marketplace. Kudos to Grandmasters Terry McMeekin and Mark Cox, Masters Conrad Ercolono, Jason Flame, Erik Rodriguez, Frankie McConnell, Jacob Flame, Mikeal Smith, Clay Pierson, Carson Fortner and Brandon Kemmer for keeping the traditional ideals and philosophies yet adding their own, modern twists to our beloved art. Any, interested person is very welcome to stop by our studio at any time to sit and watch or have a chat. You will feel at home in our family-style atmosphere. We train hard together towards common goals, and don't compete against each other. We admit Mighty Mites, 3/4 years old to seniors in their 50's and 60's. If you don't set limits on what you can do... we won't either.
