Grand Master Robert Murray: Grand Master Murray (formerly co-owner Glens Falls Tae Kwon Do) is the current owner and head instructor of Murray's Family Martial Arts. He is currently recognized as a 7th Degree in Moo Duk Kwan and 6th Dan WTF Certified Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do (under Grand Master Byung H. Choi). Master Murray has more than 23 years experience in practicing and teaching martial arts with a specialfocus on bringing families together through the martial arts. He is currently working towards his Black Belt in Combat Hap Ki Do. He also is a Shodan (Black Belt) in Goshin Jutsu. He has taught defensive tactics to local law enforcement. Mr. Murray's has three children and 6 grandchildren all of which are involved in classes and instruction at MFMAC. Several of his grandchildren hold Black Belts as well. Mr. Murray organizes board breaking events annually to raise money for families with special needs in their community. All proceeds from board breaking events are donated to the family in need. He also arranges demonstrations for area schools and businesses promoting awareness, prevention, and personal protection. Mr. Murray is committed to building healthier, stronger individuals through the tenets of Tae Kwon Do (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control, indomitable spirit).
Adult Instructors:
Mr. Shane Murray
Master Shane Murray- 5th Dan WTF Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do & 3rd Dan ICHF Black Belt, Combat Hap Ki Do
Shane Murray began studying Tae Kwon Do when he was just 13 years old and has been practicing for over 20 years. He obtained a 1st Dan Black Belt when he was 15 years old. He has instructed students and led classes for most of his adult life and currently is a internationally recognized master level WTF instructor with a 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. His curiosity in martial arts led him to the study and development in Hap Ki Do where he obtained a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Combat Hap Ki Do and leads his own team of Combat Hap Ki Do students. Shane Murray is the Head Instructor for Combat Hap Ki Do at MFMAC and assistant Head Instructor in Tae Kwon Do at MFMAC. He also holds a Shodan ( Black Belt) in Goshin Jutsu as well. He has been asked to teach defensive tactics to local law authorities. He also has 2 children that study Tae Kwon do: Colin (age 13) is a 3rd Poom Black Belt, and Lyvia (age 9) is a 1st Poom Black Belt.
Mrs. Lisa Boucher
Master Lisa Boucher- 4th Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do & 1st Dan Black Belt, Combat Hap Ki Do
Lisa Boucher has been practicing Tae Kwon Do with the Murray's for more than 12 years. She is an internationally recognized master level instructor. She originally started with a Women's Self Defense class and fell in love with the art. Mrs. Boucher teaches Tae Kwon Do classes and was recently promoted to black belt in Combat Hap Ki Do. Her love for learning and teaching has kept her motivated to keep working toward beyond her original goal of 4th Dan Black Belt. In the process she hopes to help girls and women attending MFMAC programs become stronger, more confident, and empowered by the art. She is Murray's Family Martial Arts Center's self defense coordinator and runs a variety of ladies self defensive programs that is offered to local businesses, schools, and individuals through MFMAC.
Mr. Nelson Hunter
Mr. Nelson Hunter- 3rd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do & 1st Dan Black Belt, Combat Hap Ki Do
Nelson has been practicing with the Murray Family for approximately 10 years. Nelson's career started when he first enrolled his daughter in a Taekwondo class to help her build self-confidence. After months of sitting in the waiting room Nelson decided to give it a try and has never looked back. Nelson is an internationally recognized 3rd Dan (Degree) through the Kukiwon and recently earned his Black Belt in Combat Hapkido. He is also very involved in AAU tournaments where he has competed in many regional qualifiers as well as a national championship in Greensboro, North Carolina where earned a bronze in both forms and sparring. Nelson works rotating shifts at Momentive Performance Materials in Waterford, NY but still devotes a lot of his time to MFMAC. Taekwondo & Hapkido are a big part of life for the Hunter Family way of life. His family includes: Tiffany (age 15) 3rd Dan Black Belt TKD, Brown Belt HKD; Courtney (age 14) 2nd Poom Black Belt TKD, Josh (age 18) Purple Belt HKD, Joelle (age 17) Red/Black Belt HKD and Danielle (age 13) Orange Belt HKD, John (age 13) Yellow Belt HKD. All are currently students with MFMAC working on achieving Black Belt status or higher.
Mr. Scott Whiting
Mr. Scott Whiting- 2nd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Scott has been studying Taekwondo with the Murrays for 6 years. Scott's son and 2 daughters all started taking Taekwondo before him. He was then approached on the side lines by Mr. Murray about trying himself, and did so. He has not sat and watched from the side since. He enjoys being able to participate in an activity with his kids. Scott and all three of his kids all currently hold black belts in Taekwondo. Scott has also been studying Hapkido for over a year and currently holds a red/black belt. He feels Taekwondo and Hapkido compliment one another.
Jared Murphy
Mr. Jared Murphy- 1st Degree Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Jared starting Tae Kwon Do to be with his two children: Hannah & Isabell. They earned their 1st Degree Black belts together. Jared teaches classes at Murray's Family Martial Arts Center and is the tournament director for Murray's. He has attended several tournaments and won medals at each with his children and fellow students. Jared continues to grow in the art and spread the tenets throughout his daily encounters. Jared also studies Combat Hapkido at MFMAC and will be soon testing for his black belt.
Black Belts & Assistant Instructors:
Miss Kaleena Waters- 2nd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Brycen Waters- 2nd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Scott Whiting- 2nd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Miss Ashley Whiting- 2nd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Miss Nicole Whiting- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Brandon Whiting- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Brian Green- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Keith Kreppin- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mrs. Rebecca Kreppin- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Clifton Nelson- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Shamar Brow- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Troy Brow- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Mr. Jared Murphy- 1st Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Miss Tiffany Hunter- 3rd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Poom Black Belts: (Under 15 years old)
Colin Murray- 3rd Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Courtney Hunter- 2nd Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Kassondra Kreppin- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Gabrielle Kreppin- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Annika Kreppin- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Savannah Kreppin- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Jeffrey Carpenter- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Lyvia Murray- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Hannah Murphy- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Isabelle Murphy- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Konnor McKeown- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Alexandria Underwood- 1st Poom Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Did you know?... Did you know very few students have the dedication and perseverance to make it to Black Belt?
Here at MFMAC we have seen hundreds of students come and go. The students listed above have dedicated their lives to achieving their Black Belts. All have made many sacrifices along the way. Choices are made to make it to class regularly, practice at home, learn new material, and often train through injuries, aches, and pains.
Many people compare getting a Black Belt to earning a college degree. It must be taken seriously. Sacrifices must be made. It often can take as long as or even longer then most college degree programs. Not everyone has the strength and determination to do it.
Congratulations to all that have achieved!
Murray's Family Martial Arts Center, 345 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839 (518) 746-1002
