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Charlotte Martial Arts Academy proudly serving Charlotte for over 20 years!
Charlotte Martial Arts Academy has Classes in Charlotte, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adult Martial Artists.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education, and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop, and succeed in their personal and professional goals.
We strongly believe that the martial arts are for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience level. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, but we also stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life!
Get To Know Our World Class STAFF
Sensei Michael Price
Sensei Michael Price is an owner and the head instructor of CMAA. Sensei Price has been a student of the Martial Arts since 1986. He has enjoyed a variety of instructors and trained at many different schools. He currently is a Master Instructor under the late Sifu Richard Bustillo, one of Bruce Lee’s original students and is proud to pass on the heritage, skills, and concepts of Bruce Lee’s art of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do. Some of the arts you will learn at CMAA are Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing, Arnis, and more. His passion has been, since 16 years of age, the art of teaching students to persevere and strive to realize the many benefits of Martial Arts training and the incredible accomplishment of earning the rank of Black Belt.
Sensei Mary Roberts
Sensei Roberts is an owner and instructor of CMAA. Sensei Roberts has been training in Martial Arts since 1994. She is a second-degree Black Belt under Sensei Price. She specializes in fitness, nutrition, self-defense, and empowering young women to reach their goals.
Chris Moore
Chris Moore and Sensei Michael Price began training together in Colorado when Chris was 8 years old. After 20 years as a classroom teacher, Chris moved to Charlotte and is now the Director of Operations at CMAA and Charlotte’s BEST.
Sempai Sean Borachok
Sempai Sean Borachok has been training in the martial arts for over a decade and will be a student at Virginia Tech in the fall. He enjoys many outdoor sports such as snowboarding and climbing. He is currently ranked 1st in his graduating class at J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori School.
Sho-Sempai Luke Delaney
Sho-Sempai Luke Delaney is a tenth-grade student at East Mecklenburg High School and has trained at CMAA for around 10 years. He enjoys spending time with his friends and his dog, as well as activities like reading and exercise.
Sho-Sempai Hayden Lambkin
Sho-Sempai Hayden Lambkin is a sophomore at South Mecklenburg High School and enjoys hanging out with friends – a fun fact is that he has had 2 open-heart surgeries.
Sho-Sempai Whit Wright
Sho-Sempai Whit Wright is a Boy Scout who is currently working on his Eagle Scout project. He loves the outdoors and going backpacking. He currently attends Myers Park High School.
Hanshi Stephen Knaack
Hanshi Stephen Knaack is a sophomore at East Mecklenburg High School. He is huge into cars and spends as much time as possible practicing photography.
Sho-Hanshi Joe Raible
Sho-Hanshi Joe Raible is a sophomore at Myers Park High School and has been training at CMAA for six years. He enjoys reading and traveling.
Sho-Hanshi Alex Kedar
Sho-Hanshi Alex Kedar is a hardworking high school student who loves to do outdoor activities and spend time with friends. He loves fishing and enjoys time on the water.
Sho-Hanshi Jacob Glenn
Jacob Glenn is a Sho-Hanshi at CMAA. He is a junior at Charlotte Christian School, and he enjoys reading books, watching movies, and being outside!
Kohai Charlie Whitmire
Kohai Charlie Whitmire is a first-degree black belt and a Sophomore at Myers Park High School. He enjoys hiking and reading.
Coach Maggie Dahnke
Maggie Dahnke has been working at Charlotte’s BEST After-School & Summer Camps for over a year and is currently the Summer Camp and After-School Director. She has been working with kids for over twelve years. Her favorite flavor of ice cream is Ben & Jerry’s Topped Tiramisu. She loves spending time with her friends and her cat Zucchini.
Coach Ryan Booker
Coach Ryan Booker is a youth coach as well as the Assistant Director here at Charlotte’s BEST. He enjoys working with children from all age groups, and he enjoys playing multiple sports including basketball, football, and track & field.
Coach Jordan Williams
Coach Jordan Williams is our newest ROCKSTAR! She is currently a college student at UNC Charlotte, where she coordinates on-campus events while finishing her degree. She has lots of experience working with kids, and she is a huge fan of staying active with all sorts of different activities!
Ana Urrutia
Ana Urrutia has been working at CMAA & Charlotte’s BEST for three years! She currently works with the Front Desk team and has just started working on her Master’s Thesis.
Cristhian Hoyos
Cristhian Hoyos is currently working on our Front Desk team. He has been teaching others about reptiles and amphibians for the last couple of years and he builds electric bikes as a hobby. He is also an Eagle Scout and he loves dogs!
Tara Kirk
Tara Kirk is our lead administrative assistant here at CMAA and Charlotte’s BEST. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she worked as a fifth-grade teacher before joining our team. She loves the color pink, spending time with friends and family, and of course, her cat, Jon Bovi.