Bangor Y Martial Arts Our variety of Martial Arts programs blend spirit, mind and body. Build physical strength, coordination, stamina and discipline while practicing technique and form in a group setting. For more information about our Martial Arts Programs, contact Tammy Hodgdon at 941-2815 ext 13. All classes meet in the Second Street Studio unless noted. Members may Register for Programs On Line Now! Download the Spring 2009 Martial Arts Schedule TaeKwonDo | Karate | Kempo Martial Arts Fees NEW! Unlimited Martial Arts Classes Per Month Fee Members Adults/Seniors/Young Adult/Youth/Teen $28 per month Family Members $28 (1st member), $18 (2nd), $10 (3rd) Non-Members $85 per month One class per week for 12-13 week series Family Members $15 Youth/Teen/Young Adult/ Adult and Senior Members $21 Non-members $75 TaeKwonDo This Olympic-style, Korean martial arts program teaches students self-defense, confidence, discipline and respect. Black belt/champion instructors. Beginners Ages 6-7 yrs Tue or Thu 4:50-5:40 pm Intermediate Ages 6-13 yrs Tue or Thu 5:45-6:45 pm Int/Advanced Mon, Weds, or Fri 6-7 pm Adult (14+ yrs) Mon, Weds or Fri  7-8:30 pm Second Street Studio TaeKwon Do Kickstart A program designed to introduce youth to TaeKwon Do movements in a fun, engaging way. Ages 4-5 yrs Thu 4:15-4:45 pm Second Street Studio American Freestyle Karate Learn the practice of self-defense and the techniques of American Free Style Karate. Ages 7-15 yrs Int/Adv Sat 9 am Beginner Sat 10 am Second Street Studio Women's Self Defense Clinics Ages 14+ Learn practical ways to protect yourself. As a participant, you'll learn physical movements designed to help you survive and escape an attack. This seminar, offered several times each year, also offers guidance on how to be more aware and avoid dangerous situations. Dates TBA Members Free Non-members $25  Shaolin Kempo Ages 18+ Combined movements from Karate, Kung Fu and Ju Jitsu martial arts are used to teach practical self defense while providing a total mind and body workout. Times and locations will be announced shortly. Mon 6:40-8:00 pm Tues 7:30-9:00 am Fri 6:30-7:45 pm Sat 10:30-Noon Hammond Street Viner Room Scroll Down To Meet the Kempo Instructors! Joel Merriam Shaolin Kempo Club of Bangor, Founder and Head Instructor Joel is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo. Joel studied under Steve DeMasco and has been a student of the Shaolin Kempo style for more than 20 years. He has also studied other disciplines, Kydo (Japanese Bow) and Iaido (Japanese Sword), and he teaches a number of Chinese weapons, such as staff and double broadsword. Joel lives in Bangor and works as a machinist at General Electric. Brett Bishop Shaolin Kempo Black Belt Brett has been studying Shaolin Kempo for more than 9 years. He also holds the rank of Red Belt in Tae Kwon Do, which he has been practicing for more than 10 years. Brett grew up in Washington, D.C. He is a supervisor at General Electric in Bangor. Brett, his two daughters, and his wife live in Hermon. John Mannette Shaolin Kempo Black Belt John has been a student of various martial arts since 1975 and has been studying Shaolin Kempo under Joel Merriam for 7 years. He also has trained in Shuan Shu Do and Uechi-Ryu. He studied the Chen Man Ching style of Tai Chi from Wayne Riply and the Old Yang Style of Combat Tai Chi and weapons from John LeDee. John is certified in aerobics and resistance training through the AFAA and can often be found helping others reach their fitness goals. He's a physics teacher at Bucksport High School and lives in Holden. Allison Bankston Women's Self Defense Instructor Allison is an instructor through the Shaolin Kempo program and has been studying martial arts for more than 5 years. She also studied Tae Kwon Do at the Bangor Y. Allison has won a number of trophies through martial arts tournaments for forms, sparring, and weapons. She and the SK Black belts developed the curriculum for the Women's Self Defense program, which is unique and currently offered only through the Bangor Y. Allison is the Senior Director of Marketing and Development for the Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln.  Allison lives in Brewer with her partner, Gaylen, his two children, and their dog, Tahoe. Gaylen Smith Shaolin Kempo Brown Belt Gaylen has been studying Shaolin Kempo for several years, and before that, he took Tae Kwon Do and Okinowan Karate. Gaylen has won several trophies in Maine martial arts tournaments for forms and weapons. He's also lost more than 85 pounds through his martial arts training at the Bangor Y. Gaylen often helps at the Women's Self Defense classes at the Bangor Y on 2nd Street, where his partner, Allison Bankston, is the lead instructor. He lives in Brewer with his two children, his partner, Allison, and his dog, Tahoe. Bradley Cohen Shaolin Kempo Black Belt Bradley is a Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo. He has and continues to study other forms of Martial Arts including, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Shaolin Kung Fu. Bradley enjoys teaching something he loves to others in hopes that they will come to love it as well. He lives in Brewer with his wife, daughter, and son and works as a Sales Representative for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.   Scroll Down To Meet the TaeKwondo Instructors!   Dan Ward Mr. Ward has held his 1st degree Kukkiwon certified black belt for 6 years. Has been a member on the local selective service board for 15 years, a liscensed foster parent for 5 years. Sole owner of The Maine Gate Inc. for 5 years. He has been a Y member since 1990. Mr Ward, his wife and son all reside in Brewer. Shawn Hill Over the years I have had the privilege to train, compete in and teach Olympic style Tae Kwon Do. I have had the honor of instructing and coaching students of all ages, some who have competed in local and national tournaments and some who just like training. Tae Kwon Do has been nothing short of a life altering experience for me in a very positive way. It is from my experiences that I derive the training methods and discipline taught within my classes. I always consider myself a student in everything I do and never pretend to have all the answers. I learn just as much from students as they learn from me which tends to keep me on my toes. Ryan Keezer Mr. Keezer has been studying martial arts for 11 years. He has studied American Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Kung Fu, Hapkido, Kiu Jitsu, and has been studying Olympic Style Korean Tae Dwon Do for over 10 years. He has been teaching martial arts for 7 years, including 5 years of teaching at the Bangor Y. Mr. Keezer has attained the rank of 2nd dan (degree) black belt in Olympic TaeKwonDo. He has competed and won various tournaments at the State, National, and International levels of competition. He is known as "Mr. Intensity" for his hard, intense, effort building classes. He resides in Glenburn and loves the State of Maine.