Sr. Master Laura & Master David Kowkabany

Sr. Master Laura Kowkabany and Master David Kowkabany are nationally recognized as one of the best husband and wife teaching teams in the country! Together, they have over 65 years of martial arts training, and nearly 50 years experience in teaching children and adults. As the owners of Kowkabany’s Family Taekwondo Center , they still teach 95% of the class schedule. They specialize in providing the highest quality instruction in the martial arts, using the copyrighted programs of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), the proven leader in family martial arts training. With their seniority in rank, the Kowkabanys retain the authority to certify their instructors with internationally recognized credentials, and to promote their students up through the rank of 3 rd Degree Black Belt.

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Senior Master Laura Kowkabany began her training in Taekwondo in 1974 while she was in junior high school. She studied secondary education at Florida State University, and began teaching Taekwondo full-time in 1983. In 1999, she became one of the first four women in the United States to earn the title of Master Instructor. In 2005, Master Kowkabany earned her current rank of 7 th Degree Black Belt, and in 2006 her title of Senior Master. During her years of competition, she was ranked in the top three nationally for four years. Master Kowkabany specializes in teaching the Karate for Kids and Tiny Tiger programs and is a favorite with children and parents alike. In 1996, Master Kowkabany was recognized for her teaching excellence by being named “Instructor of the Year” out of 900 schools. Master Kowkabany also carries Protech Instructor certifications in Single and Double Ssahng Jeol Bong (nunchuks), Single and Double Bahng Mahng Ee (stick fighting), Pressure Point Control Tactics, Ssahng Nat (kamas), Spontaneous Knife Defense, Kickboxing, Jahng Bong (bo staff) and Advanced Jahng Bong, Oh Sung Do (Chinese broadsword) and Tai Chi. In 2001, Master Kowkabany was appointed as a member of the national Protech Staff, and teaches weapons certification clinics to instructors around the country.

Master David Kowkabany began his martial arts training while at the University of Florida in 1980, studying the Japanese martial arts. After graduating with a degree in communications from UNF, he began studying Taekwondo, earning his ATA instructor’s certification in 1990. A frequent competitor at the regional and national level, Master Kowkabany is a State Champion in Weapons, and currently holds the position of international judge. In 2004, he earned his 6th Degree Black Belt, being promoted to the title of Master Instructor in 2005. Master Kowkabany also carries the Protech Instructor certifications for Olympic Sparring, Spontaneous Knife Defense, Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention, Pressure Point Control Tactics, Jahng Bong (bo staff), and Advanced Jahng Bong. His background also includes over 10 years of experience managing a corporate training unit for a securities/insurance firm.

Mrs. Veronica Moreda is a Certified Instructor who teaches in our academy on a part-time basis. She began her training with the Kowkabanys in 1996, and is a 3 rd Degree Black Belt. She is also a State Champion in Sparring, and won the bronze medal in sparring at the World Championship Finals.

In addition to these Certified Instructors, we also have numerous adult Trainee Instructors who assist with classes on a regular basis.