Master Steve Coates first began his martial arts training in Utah during the late 1960s, he was deeply impressed by the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions that it helped him develop through the rigorous exercises and disciplines. After moving to Seattle, Washington in 1973 he began studying Taekwondo under the tutelage of Debbie Kronk and Verdan Marchand of Lee's Taekwondo Inc. This school was the creation of Grandmaster Chin Ho Lee of Seoul, Korea. While attending graduate school in Berkeley, California he visited Kuk Sa Nim - In Hyak Su's Kuk Sool Won Institute and fell in love with this discipline of joint locking techniques and pressure points. Grandmaster Chin Ho Lee gave the approval to combine the training in Taekwondo with the techniques of Kuk Sool Won. Since that time he has studied Kuk Sool Won and Taekwondo. Master Coates Seattle Kuk Sool Won instructor was Kimin Kim of South Korea. Over the past 30 years Master Coates has opened Taekwondo schools in Seattle and Bellevue Washington, Berkeley, California, the Portland, Oregon area, Minnesota, and Cleveland, Ohio. He holds a 7th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, as well as black belts in various striking and grappling disciplines. He is also an instructor in the practice of Kenjutsu. He is the chief instructor at Alki Taekwondo and welcomes new students as well as experienced martial artists of all styles to join in the training, focus and spirit of the martial arts.
Cheryl Snyder is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and is the assistant instructor/business manager for the classes and is responsible for the general organization of the classes & students.
Her training was in Cleveland, Ohio at Master Coates' Ohio Dojang (school). Her primary instructors were Master Coates, Na Jun Young, Dan Na, Alan Duncan and Sam Na. Cheryl is an excellent children's instructor. She has conducted dozens of Tae Kwon Do Kid's Camps, Summer Kid's Programs and Special Kid's Tae Kwon Do Events.
Our instructors are all trained and certified with the Koryo Moo Sool Association. All of our training staff are excellent with people of all ages, from early childhood to seniors.