Team Members

Master Christopher Ballard, head Instructor, has over 50 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.

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 working as a Nurse in Labor and Delivery.

Monica Ballard, a Fourth Dan Kukkiwon-certified Taekwondo practitioner with 18 years of experience, excelled in competition, earning All-American status. She balances her Nursing Degree studies and work at an Urgent Care with mentoring at the Korean Academy.

Max Ballard, Assistant Instructor with 14 years of Taekwondo experience and a First Dan Kukkiwon certification, competed both locally and state-wide. Now he trains and assists at the Taekwondo school while in high school.

Master Janel Ballard, Assistant Instructor, has over 31 years of Taekwondo and 29 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.

Mariana Conder, 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 New Mexico. She excelled internationally as a competitor and now teaches and trains at the Korean Academy.

John Ballard, Assistant Instructor, has 15 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 college.