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Our Instructors & Staff Members
Our Instructors have spent many years training in the art of Tang Soo Do as well as other martial arts. They have attained a high level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.
Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art. They truly enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of Middleburg Martial Arts' instructors:
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Ms. Jan Lappin, Sah Dan
(4th Degree Black Belt)
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Master Jan Lappin started her martial arts training in Judo while attending U of F in 1976. In 1989 she started studying Tang Soo Do and is a certified instructor with the highly esteemed World Tang Soo Do Association. She is currently a 4th degree black belt and is working on her Master's belt. She is a very accomplished martial artist, as well as teacher. She has won several awards including best adult tester during her 3rd degree black belt (Sam Dan) in April 2003. Master Lappin has placed in each of the 5 times she entered the World Tang Soo Do Championships. Additionally, she was awarded the honor of best black belt competitor in the 2003 Florida Regionals as well as the 1995 Arizona Regionals. She has been teaching children for several years, starting with a summer judo class in 1979. She began teaching Tang Soo Do in 1994 and opened her school in Middleburg in 2001. Master Lappin's degree is in Psychology, specializing in children.
She is a mother of 6 terrific children. Four of her daughters are also black belts in Tang Soo Do. She loves teaching students and helping her students grow and succeed in all areas of their life.
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Ms. Desiree White, Sam Dan
(3rd Degree Black Belt)
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Ms. Desiree White has been practicing Tang Soo Do for the past nine years. Mrs. White recently received her third degree black belt. She has placed in several tournaments, including the World Tang Soo Championship. Her areas of expertise are breaking and sparring. She is a certified instructor with the World Tang Soo Do Association, and has been teaching for several years.
Desiree loves working with children and is currently a student working on a career in Childhood Development. She recently earned her certificate of completion as a Child Care Worker in Early Childhood Education. |
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Mr. Brian Gourlay, E Dan
(2nd Degree Black Belt)
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Mr. Gourlay started his martial arts training in Moo Do Kwan Tang Soo Do when he came to the United States of America in 1996 and received a Green Belt. In 1998 he joined the World Tang Soo Do Association and received his Black belt in 2001. He tested for his second degree black belt in 2004 and is currently a certified instructor with the World Tang Soo Do Association working on his third degree. Mr. Gourlay recently placed third in the 2008 WTSDA World championships for Sparring and has medaled within multiple Regional and local tournaments.
His teaching experience ranges from instruction of all levels of students and specializing in preparation for advanced opportunities. His technical expertise includes self-defense, advanced techniques and breaking. Mr. Gourlay is also one of the instructors for our Mixed Martial Arts program.
He is a Father of two daughters - one is currently a Green Belt with the WTSDA and a Mixed Martial Arts practitioner. He is dedicated to the Martial Arts and enjoys teaching students and helping them grow and succeed in all areas of life.
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Mr. Luis Borges, E-Dan
(2nd Degree Black Belt) |
Mr. Luis Borges started his martial arts training in the Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate style at the age of 13 years, earning the rank of brown belt. As a member of the World Tang Soo Do Association he recently tested for his second degree black belt and holds an instructor certification from the World Tang Soo Do Association. Mr. Borges has placed in several World and regional tournaments. In 2007 he was the senior black belt cup winner for Region 21; in 2006 he placed second in the WTSDA world tournament Anaheim, California; in 2004 he placed third in the WTSDA world tournament Orlando, Florida. His teaching experience ranges from instruction of entry level students of all ages, up to taking students to their black belt and beyond. His technical expertise includes hyungs (forms), weapons (nunchakus), breaking, rolls and falls, and self-defense. |
Ms. Maryellen West, Cho Dan |
Ms. Maryellen West has 2 boys, Jacob 14, and Ethan 12. She is attending FCCJ to become an R.N. This is the year! She has been doing Tang Soo Do since 2001, and is proud to say that she was the first black belt under Master Jan Lappin at Middleburg Martial Arts. |
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