Since the club was founded in 1998, many of the members have become black belts. Some of us would like share a little about ourselves and our journey in Tae Kwon Do. We look forward to seeing you in class!

Madison-based Black Belts

(Black Belts currently actively training in Madison, WI)

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Master Jack Nitschke

7th Dan, training since September of 1986, instructor since March 1991. Founder and head instructor, Choi Tae Kwon Do at the University of Wisconsin (1998-present). Founder and head instructor, Tae Kwon Do at UIUC at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1992-1998). Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine and Public Health at UW. 

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Master Brant Olson

4th Dan. Outside of TKD, spending time with two young kids, sneaking out for the occasional date with their amazing mom, and playing a little ultimate frisbee in the summer months.

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Ty Christian

Ty has been with the club since 2003, and works on campus as a Systems Administrator for the Center for Healthy Minds. In his free time he enjoys gaming, shooting video, and touring the world as the singer for the Sonic the Hedgehog Symphony as well as his heavy metal band Lords of the Trident.

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Erica Liu

I earned my 1st Dan in September 2014 (the time between my first day of Taekwondo and black belt was almost 20 years!). Currently I serve as Pastor at Pres House in Madison, WI.

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Amy Rettler

I feel very blessed to be part of this unique Tae Kwon Do community. I share this community with my husband, Brant Olson, who is also an instructor in the club, and we frequently bring our two young kiddos (Asher and Lucia) to class. They are already trying to do jumping jacks and punches! Outside of work and Tae Kwon Do, I love to play Ultimate Frisbee, run, hike, camp, and explore the world.

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Jeff Bissing

I live in Madison with my wife and two boys. Outside of Tae Kwon Do I enjoy bicycling, running and woodworking.

Out-of-town Black Belts

(Black Belts currently actively training outside of Madison, WI)

  • Melinda Elmer
    I have trained on my own during most of my time as a student of TKD. I currently live in Southern California and begun my time in TKD at the University of Illinois back in 1994. I tested for my Second Dan in 2013. I work in Real Estate and strive to apply the 5 aims to achieve in my business and life.
  • Arun Kurup
    2nd Dan black belt in 2013, always up for tennis, frisbee, and food. Please let me know when you're near D.C.
  • Bryan Seybold
    I began Tae Kwon Do in 2006 and earned by black belt in 2010. I appreciate the community, joy, and lessons from Tae Kwon Do that I apply in my life. I now live in San Francisco, California switching between work as neuroscientist and computer scientist.

  • Dave Seybold

    I train with other students in Fridley, MN (northern suburb of Minneapolis) through the city's parks and rec department. I started training in the UW Madison club in 2003 and earned my black belt in 2014, and my 2nd Dan in 2017. Outside of Tae Kwon Do, other physical activities are a big part of my life and I enjoy running, cycling,  and a host of other indoor and outdoor sports.