Cincinnati Taekwondo Center

Cincinnati Taekwondo Center offers training in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Gumdo, including forms practice, self-defense, breaking practice, and sparring. Classes also include proper breathing, meditation, strength and fitness, goal setting, and leadership skills in a State-of-the-Art Training Facility.

• Ages: 4–18 years old

The programs are designed to develop health, strength, and mental focus, and to prepare individuals to be advocates for safe and peaceful interactions with others. The school was founded in 1989. Cincinnati Taekwondo Center is affiliated with the Oriental Martial Arts College (OMAC) and is a member school of the Ohio State Taekwondo Association, USA Taekwondo, and World Taekwondo Federation.

All of the instructors are certified by the school, have trained extensively in the Martial Arts, and have undertaken ongoing professional training in education best-practices and in supervised teaching practicums. The leadership team includes Rick Beard, 5th Dan and Owner of Cincinnati Taekwondo Center; Jolene Pappas, 5th Dan; Max Kravitz, 5th Dan; Jen Knarr, 5th Dan; Rob Porter, 5th Dan; Scott Francis, 5th Dan; Tommy Barker, 4th Dan; Kevin Dietrich, 4th Dan and Hapkido Program Director; Carla Cherry, 4th Dan; Trudy Tucker, 3rd Dan and Kimoodo Program Director; and Brenda Marsh, 2nd Dan and Little Tigers Program Director. Additional current instructors include Jonathan Snelting, 3rd Dan Taekwondo; Sean Oeder, 3rd Dan Taekwondo and 3rd Dan Gumdo; Lisa Burwinkel, 3rd Dan Taekwondo; Braden Pinyard, 2nd Dan Taekwondo and 1st Dan Gumdo; Amber Ziegler, 2nd Dan Hapkido; and Eric Ziegler, 2nd Dan Hapkido.

Cincinnati Taekwondo Center offers Modern Teaching of Traditional Martial Arts and offers all aspects of Martial Arts training in unified and carefully integrated programs of Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Gumdo. Training draws from Karate, Judo, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu in a system called Moogong-Ryu or Guardian of the Peace, which takes into account mind, body, and spirit. Moogong-Ryu incorporates training in proper breathing, meditation, strength and fitness, goal setting, and leadership skills. Students have the opportunity to train at camps, seminars, and senior classes offered in Columbus once they begin advancing toward black belt. Instructors and staff guide and support personal development and growth while challenging students to meet their highest potential, and instructors lead by recognizing successes, inspiring personal discipline, and encouraging positive attitudes.

Last updated June 27, 2026.