United Tang Soo Do Alliance Dalton
113 N. Turnpike Road, Dalton, PA 18414 Telephone: 563-1695
History
TANG SOO DO
United Tang Soo Do Alliance Dalton (UTA) offers training for children, women, and men in Tang Soo Do, a traditional form of Korean Karate and mixed martial arts. Training consists of basic techniques in self-defense, forms, weapons and sparring. Children and adults realize generally good physical fitness, self-confidence, and focus with training. Tang Soo Do is approximately 2000 years old and is characterized by its kicking techniques.
OUR BEGINNINGS.......
UTA Dalton had its Grand Opening in September of 1990 under our former name of Kim’s Karate Dalton. Classes originally began in the Dalton Fire Company Banquet Hall. We were formed under the instruction of Grand Master Chong Su Kim who trained Master Steele. Our school had been under the membership of Pan Am Tang Soo Do Federation. We are now an integral member of the United Tang Soo Do Alliance under the leadership of Senior Masters John Ennis, George Klinedinst, Pamela Ebaugh and Bruce Steele. The school began with thirty students in its first month of operation.
TODAY
After three years in the Dalton Fire Hall, UTA Dalton needed a more permanent location. The building formerly known as the Dalton Carpet Shop was purchased and renovated for the karate school’s activities. Student after student began to enroll in the school. After 16 years in business, the school has over 100 active students and has trained hundreds. As of this printing, there are over 40 Black belts presently active or associated with the school and four masters.
CHIEF INSTRUCTORS
As the school grew, several additional instructors were added as well as classes. UTA Dalton now offers classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week, with special classes on Thursdays. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are available for private lessons. We now offer two morning classes each week. All children’s classes have two or more instructors whenever possible.
Bruce Steele and his daughter, Terra, have studied Tang Soo Do since 1987. Bruce tested for his Master's Belt in April of 1999, and his fifth degree masters belt in April of 2004, Terra tested in April of 2000. Bruce is a teacher of English in the Abington Heights School District. He has a Masters Degree in English with a specialty in Creative Writing. He's an original member of the Pennsylvania State Writing Assessment Advisory Committee and has helped develop the state writing rubric and test. He has conducted seminars in holistic scoring throughout the state and helped to write the state standards in writing. Terra Steele graduated from Temple University in the spring of 2005 and currently works at the Everhart Museum.
Gail Van Fleet successfully tested for her master’s belt in April of 2004 with Master Steele. Besides her children’s classes, she teaches two morning classes for adults who cannot attend regular sessions at night. Gail lives in Dalton and is a valuable member of the UTA Dalton’s Karate family. Alicia Hayhurst is the school’s most recent master. She successfully tested to 4th degree master in September 2005. Master Hayhurst has been with the school for over 12 years and teaches both children and adult classes.