Head Instructor Julius Baker:
Julius Baker began his Tae Kwon Do training in 1969 under Master Byong Yu and Master Ken Youn in Berkeley CA. After receiving his Black Belt, Mr. Baker began teaching at the Young Adult Project (YAP), a Model Cities program for inner city youth in 1973. He taught at the YAP for seven years until founding BAKER'S MARTIAL ARTS in 1980. Originally based in Berkeley, the studio was moved to the current Oakland location in 1998. In addition to over thirty years of Tae Kwon Do training, Mr. Baker has also studied Aikido, Escrima, Judo, Capoeira, and Tai Chi.
Mr. Baker grew up in Berkeley. After an honorable discharge from the US Navy, he went on to receive his BA and then Masters Degree in Health Science at San Francisco State University. After receiving his degree he taught Physical and Health Education at college level.
Mr. Baker has over forty years experience working with children. In addition to teaching martial arts to kids, he has worked as a pre-school teacher, physical education instructor and teaching assistant in several elementary schools, and a counselor for the Alameda County Juvenile Probation Department. In recognition of Mr. Baker's 40 years as a leader in martial arts, in 2014 Mr. Baker was awarded Tae Kwon Do Master Of the Year and inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Guest Instructor Jamal Baker:
Mr. Jamal Baker began studying Tae Kwon Do at the age of 5. He received his Black Belt at the age of 12 in 1994. Also an accomplished ice hockey player, he competed on several elite leagues throughout the US and Canada from 1998-2001. He has also received his BA in sociology from Cal State East Bay. Jamal teaches adult classes, however teaching children is his specialty.
Instructor Brian Hong:
My name is Brian Hong. I am 60 years old and a second degree black belt. Mr. Baker introduced me to Tae Kwon Do over thirty years ago. Law school, marriage and starting a family interrupted my training, but I was able to resume training when my son started, and I''ve been training ever since. Baker''s Martial Arts has made and kept me physically fit. A particularly aggravating day at work is always alleviated by a trip to the studio. I owe much to the studio, Mr. Baker in particular, and hope to reciprocate by teaching whenever I can.
Instructor Jeff Simon
Mr. Jeff Simon began his training in Tae Kwon Do in 2004 when he was 42 years old after watching his daughter Rachel attend Mr. Baker''s classes. He received his Black Belt in 2010, a year after his daughter, and it is not unusual to see them sparring with each other at the studio. Jeff coached young women''s soccer for many years and continues to train regularly at the studio and at his gym. He holds a B.S. and an M.B.A from the Haas Business School at U.C. Berkeley and has had a career spanning accounting, finance, internet start-ups and real estate. Although Jeff considers his wife and two daughters the most important part of his life, Baker''s Martial Arts would be a close second. According to Jeff, his training and extended family at the studio have had a dramatic impact on his health, confidence and way of life. Jeff enjoys teaching a variety of classes, but his specialty is working with children.
Assistant Instructor Michael Zapien
To fulfill a lifelong goal, Mr. Zapien began practicing Tae Kwon Do at Baker''s Martial Arts in 2006. After 4 1/2 years, he received his black belt. Mr. Zapien continues to practice Tae Kwon Do, and recently began teaching on an as-needed basis. In 2011, Mr. Zapien began his practice in Tai Chi.
Mr. Zapien received his bachelor of science degree in physiology from San Francisco State University and a master of science in marketing management from the University of Maryland. Currently, he is a full-time stay-at-home dad and a part-time consultant working in the medical device industry.
Guest Instructor Partick Tran:
Patrick Tran has been training for over ten years and has a great thirst for knowledge in Martial Arts. Mr. Tran has two siblings, an older sister and younger brother who both earned their Black Belts. He is currently in medical school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Some of his other hobbies include playing the guitar, martial arts, break dancing, running, martial arts, swimming, and did we mention martial arts? Mr. Tran loves Tae Kwon Do, and quotes, "To challenge the body is to challenge the mind." He hopes to see you in class.
Guest Instructor Andre Amacker:
Mr. Amacker began his Tae Kwon Do training with Mr. Baker at Laney College in 1982. After a semester at Laney, he joined the studio, receiving his Black Belt in 1985. Before Tae Kwon Do, Mr. Amacker wrestled for the US Navy. He qualified for and competed at the 1980 Olympic Trials. Mr. Amacker presides over the Sunday sparring program and maintains a wide network of martial arts contacts.
Guest Instructor Ari Ben-Avram:
Ari Ben-Avram is 16 years old and wears a junior Black Belt. He has trained consistently for over eleven years. Mr. Ben Avram has this to say about his Martial Arts experience: "I started training right after my 5th birthday, and although I was a slow learner and without a clue in the world, the benefits of Tae Kwon Do soon became evident. It has helped me in my basketball career, in school, and with my general attitude towards life. I can''t imagine my life without Tae Kwon Do."
Guest Instructor David MacDonald:
David MacDonald started training at Baker''s Martial Arts in 1998 and immediately fell in love with Tae Kwon Do. While training as a Red Belt, David began teaching cardio kick boxing in addition to regular training and in 2002, David was promoted to Black Belt. David has been working with children''s classes since he started teaching shortly after receiving his black belt. David teaches children''s and adult classes in addition to his ongoing training in both Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi.
Guest Instructor Greg Dy:
Mr. Dy began training under Master Baker when he was 11 years old. He received his Black Belt in 2011; he also does a variety of other martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu –Jitsu (BJJ) and Muy Thai, which he has been doing for the past five years. He has competed in a lot of martial arts tournament. He has been teaching as an assistant instructor for Saturday classes at Baker's Martial Arts, which includes both kids and adults classes. Mr. Dy recently graduated from Piedmont High School (PHS) and is attending Marymount College this coming fall. Mr. Dy believes that martial arts has heavily impacted his life, which influences the way he deals with situations and overcomes obstacles.
Guest Instructor Jamiko Allen-Hercules:
Jamiko Allen-Hercules began training with Mr. Baker in 1987 at the age of nine. He earned his Black Belt at the age of fifteen. Jamiko has been teaching both children and adults for the past ten years at Baker''s. His warm and nurturing personality comes through in his teaching style which is appreciated by adults and makes him an exceptional children''s instructor. He currently teaches cardio kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do and is studying Yoga and Tai Chi. While not training, Jamiko enjoys building model cars, skateboarding, and singing.
Guest Instructor JohnTorres:
Mr. Torres began his training in Tae Kwon Do in 1989 with Mr. Baker while attending Laney College where Mr. Baker was teaching. From there, he joined the studio and earned his Black Belt in 1994. Mr. Torres started teaching Tae Kwon Do at Baker''s Martial Arts in 1995 and has continued to do so until the present day. He continues to train, earning his 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2001. Mr. Torres is also a family man, as his wife Nicole (also a Tae Kwon Do student) gave birth to their baby girl in 2003. Through careful planning and an understanding wife, he has struck a balance in his life achieving equilibrium in work, home and Tae Kwon Do.
Guest Instructor Joseph Lopez:
Joseph Lopez is currently a third degree Black Belt who began training with Mr. Baker in 1986 at the age of seven. Having earned his Black Belt in 1991, he began teaching classes regularly at the age of 15 and became the head of the children''s program and the studio''s program director in 1996. From 1996 to 2000, Joseph trained consistently in Tae Kwon Do and intermittently in Judo, while attending Merritt Junior College and teaching salsa dancing at various dance and athletic clubs in San Francisco. In the fall of 2000, when he began attending the University of California at Berkeley, Joseph left his regular teaching position at the studio but remained as a student and a substitute teacher. He graduated from the university with a degree in English Literature in 2003. As of 2004, Joseph continues his role as student and guest teacher at the studio and has a full time job at a lumber yard in Albany, CA.
Guest Instructor Max MacDonlad:
Mr. Max McDonald began training in Tae Kwon Do at Pitt''s Academy when he was four years old. A few years later (around the age of eight) he began training with Mr. Baker, and he received his junior black belt in 2003 at the age of 13. Max also trains in Ti Chi. He is now 21 years old, and attends the University of California, Berkeley.
Guest Instructor Merlin Conyers:
Mr. Conyers earned his Black Belt in 1980 and has steadfastly been teaching the morning classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday since 1980 when the doors of Baker''s Martial Arts first opened. He is a hard core Oakland Raiders fan.
