Master Brian McCann's Hapkido Family Tree
Master Brian McCann has been a student of the Korean Martial art of Hapkido since 1990. He has been teaching Hapkido in Moumoth and Ocean counties since 2001. Master Brian has had the privilege of studying with 9th Dan Grandmaster Moo Young Kang of San Diego,CA and 7th Dan Grandmaster Frank Nougera of Albany NY.
Master Brian was introduced to Jung Ki Hapkido from Master Michael D'Aloia and is committed to bringing original orthodox Hapkido as passed down to Grandmaster Lim, Hyun Soo from Hapkido's founder Choi Young Sul to his students.
Master McCann has been inducted into several Martial Art Hall of Fame's for his excellence in teaching both adults and children. Some of these include, Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame, World Karate Union Hall of Fame, and Grandmaster Gary Alexander’s IAMA Hall of Fame.
Awards and Accomplishments:
- Charter Member of the Jung Ki Kwan, Daegu City South Korea
- Member of the Capital Region Martial Arts Alliance
- 4th Degree Master Instructor of Hapkido under Grand Master Frank Noguera
- Cane Instructor-Cane Masters International-Grand Master Mark Shuey
- Filipino Stick and Knife Instructor-Guru Julius Melligrito /PMAA
- Multiple Martial Art Hall of fame inductee
Instructor Craig Wierzbicki has been a student of the Korean martial art of Hapkido since 1998 when he started his study of traditional Hapkido under 4th Dan Master Hugh Cole and 9th Dan Grand Master Chong Min Lee. Craig has studied modern Hapkido under Master McCann since 2003 .He received his 1st Dan Black Belt from Master McCann in 2005, and 2nd Dan in 2007.
Over the years, Craig has trained in other martial art styles and in his own words here's what he has to say about Hapkido ... "Until I discovered Hapkido, for nearly twenty years I moved from (martial art) style to style because I never felt satisfied that the style I was learning would provide me the skills to confidently handle myself in any self-defense situation. There is more to self defense that just kicking and punching. Hapkido covers it all - all ranges of fighting, a multitude of self-defense situations, and a variety of responses: strikes, locks, throws, chokes, and more. Hapkido has provided me with the broadest range of skills to confidently handle any self-defense situation. After all those years of searching, the search has finally stopped. Hapkido is the most comprehensive martial art I have found. I will forever be a student of Hapkido."
Awards and Accomplishments:
- Member of the Jung Ki Kwan, Daegu City, South Korea
- Senior Instructor at Self Defense Academy
- 2nd Degree Black Belt(HapKido) under Master Brian McCann
- Member of the Capital Region Martial Arts Alliance
Instructor David Staples has been a loyal student of SDA since 2003. Mr. Staples assist Master McCann with Hapkido seminars and demonstrations throughout the state of New Jersey. In addition to Hapkido, Dave has also studied the martial art Kenpo-Jujitsu. Instructor Staples earned his Combat Hapkido Black Belt in 2007 at the age of 45.
In addition to some ‘help from above’…… Dave credits Hapkido falling and rolling techniques for saving his life during a motorcycle accident in 2006.
Awards and Accomplishments:
- Member of the Jung KI Kwan, Daegu City, South Korea
- Instructor Self Defense Academy
- 1st Degree Black Belt ( Hapkido) under Master Brian McCann
- Member of the Capital Region Martial Arts Alliance