Team Members
Master Christopher Ballard
Owner, Head Instructor
Master Christopher Ballard, head Instructor, has over 35 years of Taekwondo experience and is a Fifth Dan Kukkiwon Certified Master with World Taekwondo. He owned Champion Martial Arts in Albuquerque, NM, for 27 years, and now teaching at Korean Academy since 2020.
Master Briana Ballard
Assistant Instructor
Briana Ballard, with 20 years of Taekwondo experience and a Fourth Dan Kukkiwon certification from World Taekwondo, began training at age two at her parents' school in Albuquerque, NM, Champion Martial Arts. She earned All-American status and now assists at the Korean Academy while pursuing a Nursing Degree.
Master Janel Ballard
Assistant Instructor
Master Janel Ballard, Assistant Instructor, has over 30 years of Taekwondo and over 26 years of elementary school teaching experience. She is a Fourth Dan Kukkiwon Certified Master with World Taekwondo. She co-founded Champion Martial Arts in Albuquerque, NM, and teaches at Korean Academy of Taekwondo.
Master Mariana Ballard
Assistant Instructor
Mariana Ballard, with 19 years of Taekwondo experience and a Fourth Dan Kukkiwon certification from World Taekwondo, began training at age two at her parents' school in New Mexico. She excelled internationally as a competitor and now teaches and trains at the Korean Academy while pursuing a Bioengineering Degree.
John Ballard
Assistant Instructor
John Ballard, Assistant Instructor, has 13 years of Taekwondo experience and is a Third Dan Kukkiwon certified by World Taekwondo. He represented Colorado on the State Team and continues to train and assist at the Korean Academy of Taekwondo while attending high school.