About Our School

We Teach:

The original, highly aerobic, non-contact style of traditional taekwon-do. A philosophy of non-aggression, courtesy, humility, self-control, and of course, physical self defense techniques.

We Provide:

A non-competitive environment emphasizing individual improvement. Personalized service in a friendly, supportive environment. Our school leader and a staff of experienced black belt instructors. A full schedule of adult classes throughout the day and evening to accommodate most work schedules. A customized fully-equipped facility including a training room, showers, and a viewing lobby.

We Offer:

• Youth / Adult programs
• 2 distinct children’s programs for age-appropriate instruction
• A variety of money-saving discounts for families and long-term students
• Unlimited classes for one low price

Traditional Taekwon-Do Federation

The IBBCV is part of Grandmaster Kwon’s worldwide Federation of Black Belt Centers which has affiliated schools in Europe, the USA and Korea, with hundreds of active black belts.

Master Kwon’s Federation and the IBBCV maintain the highest standard of quality in martial arts training in the world today. Although Master Kwon oversees the schools in his federation for quality and adherence to tradition, the schools are not franchised. Each school is individually owned and operated which ensures that each instructor is personally committed to teaching the art of Taekwon-Do.

For information about other schools in Grandmaster Kwon’s Federation, visit the Federation website.

School Leader

John J. Oliver is the school leader of the International Black Belt Center of Virginia. He has practiced traditional martial art since the age of 11 and earned his black belt from Grandmaster Kwon. In Charlottesville and Richmond he owns the Aquarian Bookshops. John is also the star of the Court TV Show, “Haunting Evidence” and the Nippon Network Japanese TV Show, “FBI Psychic Investigator.”

THERESA

Theresa Alford was given her black belt by Grand Master Kwon in April, 2011. She has been a student of TaeKwon Do since 2005 and is one of the main teachers at IBBCV. She is also adept at other martial arts such as Judo. She has been a dedicated student of meditation for 20 years has studied various disciplines of yoga including Ashtanga, Hatha and Bikram Yoga. Theresa holds a BA degree in Government and Public Speaking from Longwood University and is a Certified Results Kinesiologist. An expert in nutrition, she has been labeled the “Nutrition Guru”and has lectured throughout the nation on the benefits of nutrition for children. She is also a founding member of Cville Movement For the People which is dedicated to offering martial arts to those in need regardless of ability to pay.

SUSAN

Susan Hughes was awarded her blackbelt in February 2017. Susan has a Masters degree in counseling and works with adults and children of all ages. In addition, to her Taekwondo practice, Susan is the founder of the Baby Girl Project, an organization that raises funds to build schools for children in Africa where no schooling exists. To date, the Baby Girl Project has built over 40 schools. Susan’s work has been internationally recognized by organizations like Free the Children and others for her positive impact on the lives of children. Susan teaches meditation, yoga and holistic development and also co-founded Cville Movement For the people, a non profit organization created to open martial arts to all in need.

PAT

Pat Jagbandhansingh started Taekwon-Do in 2002 at the age of 65 proving that it is NEVER too late to start martial arts. She studied for many years directly under Grand Master Kwon, Jae-Hwa who is the founder of the federation and currently trains in the Bronx with Master Robert Luciano where she she received her black belt at 75 years young. At her test she broke 2 boards stacked together with a hammer fist break! She has a Masters In Education and has over 50 years experience in working with children. At present, she works as an occupational therapist with special needs children. Her mission in life is to spread joy and laughter throughout the world.

KIRK

Kirk Schroder is a red belt at the IBBCV. In addition to his law degree, Kirk has a Ph.D in Education from the University of Virginia. From, 1998-2002, Kirk served as president of the Virginia Board of Education and was the state’s chief education policy maker. From 2006 to 2011, Kirk was president of the Public Education Fund of Charlottesville-Albemarle. He is a current member of Virginia’s MartinLuther King Commission and on the board of World Pediatric Project. Having served in numerous gubernatorial and legislative appointed commissions regarding education, Kirk was name “Education Lawyer of the Year” for 2013 for Virginia by Best Lawyers in America. Kirk believes that Taekwon-do has made a big difference in his life and wishes he started Taekwon-do at a much earlier age. Kirk has help found Cville Movement for the People, offering free taekwon-do classes to disenfranchised children of Virginia.

The IBBCV Facility Includes:

• A Viewing lobby with windows into the training room and television
• Plenty of seating for watching classes or doing work while children or other family members take class
• Toy box for little ones to use in the main lobby
• IBBCV has separate dressing and shower rooms for Men and Women
• There is a private Stretching area for use before and after class