instructors

Master Frank Schermerhorn, Dan #19787, entered the Moo Duk Kwan discipline in September 1972 at the age of eighteen, at the University of Scranton under Mr. Joseph Margitich.  He rose to distinction early and was passed 3 belt levels in his first test, becoming a green belt in 3 months. By 1974, he was teaching Tang Soo Do at the University and was president of the school's Karate Club.  Later that year, his instructor sent him to Susquehanna County to open a branch of the Upper Valley Tang Soo Do School in Hallstead, PA. The studio moved to Susquehanna, PA in 1977.  (Winding River name comes from the Iroquois word, "Susquehanna.")  
Figure 1: Frank Schermerhorn, Sa Bom
           
Although competition is a minor part of Soo Bahk Do, Master Schermerhorn has had a distinguished tournament record.  In the early 80's he was selected as a member of the Northeast U. S. sparring and form teams.  Some notable individual honors:

* 2nd Place in National All Dan division (forms) 1982 Nationals, Atlantic City, NJ.
* Northeast Grand Champion in Forms and Sparring 1983, Philadelphia, PA.
* 2nd place Master Division 1988 Nationals, Concord Hotel, Kiamesha Lake, NY
* Participated in International Demonstrations in Korea in 1989, 1995, 2001, and 2005. 
*3rd place Master Instructor's division National Championships, Dallas TX, 1991
           
In  1983 Master Margitich passed away, leaving Mr. Schermerhorn as his senior active student.  Continuing with the lineage of his instructor's instructor, Mr. Schermerhorn requested and was accepted as a student of Grandmaster H.C. Hwang (son of Grandmaster Hwang Kee).  Subsequently, Master Schermerhorn was promoted to Master Instructor and opened a full-time studio in Binghamton in 1986. Now a 7th Dan, he has been a member of the Technical Advisory Committee since his original appointment by Grandmaster Hwang Kee in 1998.  He has taught clinics across the US, Belgium, Korea, Mexico, and in the United Kingdom.  He served on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Fed., Inc. for 13 years.  Sa Bom Nim F. Schermerhorn has recommended over 160 students for Dan rankings and has been the instructor of 8 other certified Masters.

Master Sandra Schermerhorn:  Began training in 1979 one month after her two sons, Matthew and Jeremy Wolfer, began Soo Bahk Do training.  She is a 4th Dan and certified Master instructor having tested in the year 2000 in Carbondale CO at the US Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Fed. Inc.Ò 9-day Master’s test.  She was recently elected as the Board Director for Region 2 of the Federation, representing practitioners who live in the states of NY, PA, MD, DE, NJ, and Washington, D.C.  Mrs. Schermerhorn Sa Bom Nim is the creator of the Winding River Karate Self Defense program which has been presented around the Northeast to union groups, women’s groups, senior citizens, and children.  Mrs. Schermerhorn also teaches classes at the main studio in addition to outreach programs at Brookside and Homer Brink Elementary Schools.

Mrs. Schermerhorn Sa Bom Nim teaches at "Learn a New Thing Day" at Bell School

Master Matthew Wolfer, Dan #27697: Entered the Moo Duk Kwan discipline in September of 1979 at the age of 9 years old.  He attained the rank of Cho Dan in 1988 at the age of 18.  Most recently, he was promoted to 4th Dan in 2001.  Master Wolfer has worked at the studio in the role of Program Director and Instructor for over 10 years.  He conducts Soo Bahk Do and self-defense programs in the Whitney Point Intermediate and St. Joseph’s Elementary Schools as well as the Jewish Community Center.

Winding River is also very fortunate to have a number of 3rd, 2nd,    1st Dan instructors who assist with classes and volunteer in outreach locations such as Boscov’s Department Store and the Endicott Boy’s and Girl’s Club.

Jo Kyo Sandi (center) at the first President's Vision Tour Seminar in PA

 Mr. and Mrs. Schermerhorn SBN at HQ instructors Class