Lone Star Institute
of Taekwondo
Martial Arts for the Whole Family!
Master Carol Henry
5th Degree Black Belt
Instructor
United States Taekwondo Grandmasters Society 5th Dan
Master David Kestenbaum
6th Degree Black Belt
Owner / Head Instructor
United States Taekwondo Grandmasters Society & Kukkiown 6th Dan
Master David Kestenbaum began training in Taekwondo at age 5 and is now a 5th degree Black Belt certified by the Kukkiwon world headquarters in Seoul, S. Korea, and the United States Taekwondo Grand Masters Society. At 24 he was recognized as one of the youngest Taekwondo Masters in the world. In his more than 20 years of studying Taekwondo, Master Kestenbaum has trained on two continents, and mentored under Grand Master Won Chik Park, Grand Master Roy Kurban, and Grand Master Martin Hall, 5 Masters, and numerous Olympic & National Team athletes. He has competed successfully in National & International competitions in both Karate & Olympic Style Taekwondo, winning multiple Texas State titles as well as U.S. and Canadian championships. In 2002 he was invited to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. With over 500 trophies & medals Master Kestenbaum continues to compete in the Texas Karate League where he has won over 25 Grand Championships in forms and sparing. A graduate of the University of Texas Arlington with a bachelors degree in exercise science, Master Kestenbaum has trained athletes from youth to professional. He has a passion for Taekwondo, fitness, and for helping people reach their greatest potential.
Master Carol Henry, advanced instructor at the Lone Star Institute of Taekwondo in Arlington, Texas began training in Taekwondo at age 37. Master Henry, with more than 18 years of studying Taekwondo, has trained with and mentored under Grand Master Roy Kurban and 5 masters. She has competed in the Traditional Karate League and the Texas Karate League tournaments for over 18 years winning over 60 trophies and medals. Master Henry has been in the top 10 competitors many times. An example of how it is never too late to start martial arts training, she was 55 when she tested for her Master Black Belt. Along with regular classes at the Lone Star Institute of Taekwondo she also teaches the Dottie Lynn Rec. Center Program and Women's Self Defense class (ages 13 and above). Master Henry graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a MBA degree in Accounting and she is a senior accountant for the city of Ft. Worth.
Mr. Joseph Louis started his Taekwondo training at the Dottie Lynn Rec. Center under Master Henry in 1999. After 10 years of diligent training, Mr. Louis earned his 1st degree black belt in 2009. Mr. Louis continued his training and teaching at Lone Star Institute of Taekwondo, and in 2011 he earned his 2nd degree black belt. Mr. Louis continues to train, compete, and has become an integral part of LSIT's family of instructors at Cliff Nelson Rec. Center as well as Dottie Lynn Rec. Center. Mr. Louis is employeed by the United States Postal Service.
Mr. Joseph Louis
3rd Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
Ms. Aimee Molina
3rd Degree Black Belt
Program Director/Head Instructor
Salvation Army Y.E.T
3X State Taekwondo Champion
"Few people can ever know the accomplishment of earning a black belt... These few feet of cotton are no longer a material possession, but an extension of who I am and what I have become."- Garrett Rivera
LONE STAR INSTRUCTORS
Lone Star Institute of Taekwondo has many black belt instructors ranging from 1st degree to 6th degree (Master) black belt. All LSIT black belts are certified and recognized by the United States Taekwondo Grand Masters Society. Many of our black belts are members of USA Taekwondo!! Each of our instructors has a passion for martial arts. And with over 100 years of combined experience, they strive to give back by passing their knowledge and the tennants of Taekwondo on to others.
Ms. Jenny Yu
3rd Degree Black Belt
Program Director/Head Instructor -
The Montessori Academy
Cliff Nelson Rec. Center
Dottie Lynn Rec. Center
Mr. Brandon Blasingame
2nd Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Kolton Kimball
2nd Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
Ms. Yu started her TKD training in June 1999 at the American Black Belt Academy under Grand Master Roy Kurban. In October 2009 she achieved the rank of 1st degree black belt. After Grand Master Kurban retired and sold ABBA, Ms. Yu continued her training at the Traditional Martial Arts Institute under Mr. Shaun House (another Roy Kurban black belt). In 2011 she reached the rank of 2nd degree black belt under TMAI. After testing for 2nd dan, Ms. Yu decided to continue her training, moving to Lone Star Institute of Taekwondo where she is an integral part of the teaching and training. In 2011 Ms. Yu took over for Master Kestenbaum at The Montessori Academy where she continues to teach and develop young martial artists. Ms. Yu holds a bachelors degree in mathmatics with a minor in physics from the University of Texas Arlington. She has a passion for Taekwondo, teaching, and encouraging others to be the best they can be.
Mr. Blasingame began his training in 1992 while attending classes at University of Texas Arlington under the instruction of Master Mike Johnson. After a long break to pursue a career and start a family, in 2008 he returned to Martial Arts with his daughter at the Lone Star Institute of Taekwondo. In 2012 Mr. Blasingame earned his 1st degree black belt. He contines to train, teach, and compete next to his daughter who is an advanced belt at LSIT.
Mr. Carlos Hidalgo
2nd Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Hidalgo began his Taekwondo training at age 7 with Master Kestenbaum at The Montessori Academy. In 2009 he and his younger sister continued their training at LSIT. In 2012 Mr. Hidalgo earned his 1st degree black belt. He is the second black belt (next to Master Kestenbaum) to come from The Montessori Academy program. In 2012 Mr. Hidalgo finished 1st place overall in his division as part of the Texas Karate League Championship Series. He loves to teach and give back to new and young martial artists. Mr. Hidalgo currently attends Harwood Jr. High School in Bedford, Texas where he is a member of the National Jr. Honor Society as an A/B Honor Roll student, member of all district honor band as a top band student, and will be a member of the Trinity High School Swim Team for the 2013-2014 school year.
Mr. Bradford Woods
4th Degree Black Belt
Program Director/Head Instructor -
Elzie Odom Recreation Center
Like many parents, Mr. Woods' first experience with Taekwondo was watching his son take class. After much thought, he decided to jump in and train with him. Mr. Woods is now a 3rd degree black belt and is on his way to 4th. Mr. Woods is the program director and head instructor at the Elzie Odom branch of LSIT. Mr. Woods has been ranked in the top ten competitors of the Traditional Karate League three times, and has won many medals, trophies, and accolades in martial arts. Mr. Woods has been involved as a youth football coach, former vice president of the Seguin High School Band Booster Club, and is an active leader in his church. He is currently employed by McCormick & Co.