Korea Taekwondo Academy
Instructors
All KTA Instructors are officially certified dan (degree) holders through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters – and have extensive teaching experience. Learn more about our instructors!
KTA
Mr. David Bickel – Head Instructor & Leader
Mr. David Bickel, a 3rd Degree Black Belt, leads KTA with a lifelong passion for martial arts and a commitment to student growth. Beginning in Tang Soo Do during his youth, David trained closely under Grandmaster Garth Cooley for nearly a decade, often 5–6 days a week, in the Jido Kwan tradition passed down by Grandmaster Chul Koo Yoon, a student of Supreme Grandmaster Chong Woo Lee. Mentored by both Cooley and Yoon, he earned his 3rd Dan certification and developed a teaching philosophy centered on individualized instruction and family values. For over six years, David has been instrumental in KTA’s operations, assisting with seminars, tournaments like the Indy Cup, and academy management. Now, alongside his wife Michelle and son Alex, he guides KTA to uphold its legacy of excellence. “At KTA, we’re a family dedicated to helping students build lifelong skills.”
Black Belt Leader
David Bickel
David Bickel is officially certified 3rd Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Read More
KTA
Mr. Alex Bickel – Instructor & Co-Leader
Mr. Alex Bickel, a 3rd Degree Black Belt, brings energy and dedication to his role as an instructor and co-leader at KTA. Training under Grandmaster Garth Cooley for nearly a decade, often 5–6 days a week, Alex honed his skills in the Jido Kwan tradition through Grandmaster Cooley’s mentorship. His commitment to Taekwondo and teaching inspires students, especially younger ones, to discover their potential. Alex has supported KTA’s operations for over six years, assisting with seminars, tournaments like the Indy Cup, and academy activities. “Training at KTA taught me confidence and perseverance,” Alex shares. “I love helping students find that same strength and sense of family.”
Black Belt Leader
Alex Bickel
Alex is officially certified 3rd Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Read More
KTA
Michelle Bickel – Co-Owner & Operations Leader
Michelle Bickel, co-owner and operations leader, serves as KTA’s Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. She works alongside David and Alex to support managing the academy, from coordinating events like the Cooley Memorial Invitational fostering a welcoming community. “When you join KTA, you’re part of our family,” says Michelle. Her dedication ensures a supportive environment for all students and families.
Co-Owner & Operations Leader
Michelle Bickel
Co-Owner & Operations Leader – Her dedication ensures a supportive environment for all students and families.
Read More
KTA
Weekly Black Belt Leadership Team
Master
Derrick Vazquez
Derrick Vazquez is officially certified 6th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Biography
I have been training since 1998.
What I enjoy the most about training is when GM Cooley breaks down forms.
What I find most rewarding about helping other KTA students is when their light bulb turns on and they understand the technique.
My best KTA memory is earning my first dan.
My favorite food is homemade chocolate chip cookies.
When I’m not at KTA, you will likely find me at home chilling out and listening to music on my iPod.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Tom Gaber
Tom Gaber is officially certified 5th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Read More
KTA
Black Belt Leaders
Master
Cindy Gould
Master Cindy Gould is officially certified 6th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Biography
I have been training since 1987.
Challenging myself and trying to push past my limits is what I enjoy most about training.
What I find most rewarding about helping other KTA students is in reaching goals they did not believe they could obtain.
My best KTA memory is traveling to competitions in the 1990s with a great group of friends.
My favorite food is bananas.
When I am not at KTA or at work/school, you will likely find me pedaling a bike if the weather is nice or reading a book if it’s not nice out.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Larry Klutzke
Larry Klutzke is officially certified 5th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Biography
I have been training since 1981.
Forgetting all the hustle and bustle outside the dojang is what I enjoy most about training.
What I find most rewarding about helping other KTA students is their growth.
My best KTA memory is every new black belt handshake line, I always tear up.
My favorite food is (wow, didn’t think this would be the hardest question) bourbon balls.
When I am not at KTA or at work/school, you will likely find me listening to a good audiobook.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Scott Thien
Scott Thien is officially certified 5th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Chris Bonham
Chris Bonham is officially certified 5th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Biography
I have been training since 2008.
Finding new areas of improvement is what I enjoy most about training.
What I find most rewarding about helping other KTA students is seeing how much they achieve over time.
My best KTA memory is competing in a poomsae tournament with my daughter as a pair.
My favorite food is Mexican.
When I am not at KTA or at work/school, you will likely find me spending time with my three daughters, two of which are KTA black belts!
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Gloria Hughey
Gloria Hughey is officially certified 4th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Biography
I have been training since 2011. I enjoy the hard exercises and disciplined training we do every day.
What I find most rewarding about helping other KTA students is seeing the joy they get when they figure out how to execute their poomsae right.
My best KTA memory is the time when I broke my three boards back kick break.
My favorite food is Pancit, a Filipino noodle dish.
When I am not at KTA or at work/school, you will likely find me at my church praying or leading a teen group.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Isaac Norman
Isaac Norman is officially certified 4th Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Alicia McClure
Alicia McClure is officially certified 3rd Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters. Head Instructor at Midwest Academy.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Nirmala Jayapalan
Nirmala is officially certified 3rd Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Read More
Black Belt Leader
Amy Norman
Amy Norman is officially certified 2nd Dan (Degree) through the Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Read More
KTA
Junior Leadership Team
Junior Leader
Brayden
Brayden is a 3rd Degree Black Belt.
Read More
Junior Leader
David
David is a 3rd Degree Black Belt.
Read More
Junior Leader
Caleb
Caleb is a 2nd Degree Black Belt.
Read More
Tribute to Master Max Myers
This page is dedicated to one of KTA’s most special leaders, Master Max Myers, who passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2014.
Funeral Eulogy
Tribute to Grandmaster Cooley
The Korea Taekwondo Academy (KTA) proudly honors the enduring legacy of Grandmaster Garth Cooley, a taekwondo master, mentor, and leader whose impact continues to shape our community. An 8th Degree Black Belt certified by the Kukkiwon, Grandmaster Cooley dedicated nearly four decades to taekwondo as a competitor, coach, and instructor, inspiring countless students and instructors at KTA and beyond.
Grandmaster Cooley’s achievements were extraordinary: a two-time U.S. National Champion, Team Captain of the U.S. National Taekwondo Team, and bronze medalist at the World Games, Goodwill Games, and Pan American Championships. He was named “Indiana Instructor of the Year” by USA Taekwondo, “Taekwondo Master of the Year” by Taekwondo Times Magazine, and received a “Letter of Commendation” from the Kukkiwon. His 2019 gold medal at the World Cup Poomsae Championships in Wuxi, China, marked a pinnacle of his competitive career.
Above all, Grandmaster Cooley was a teacher who built confidence, discipline, and community. His mentorship under KTA Founder Grandmaster Chul Koo Yoon shaped KTA into a family-oriented academy where students grow in skill and character. His vision remains the heartbeat of our programs.
Today, KTA is led by Mr. David Bickel, his son Alex Bickel, and their family, who have trained closely under Grandmaster Cooley for nearly a decade and helped operate KTA for over six years. Guided by Grandmaster Yoon, now based in Korea, and supported by our team of certified Black Belt instructors—many of whom trained directly under Cooley and Yoon—KTA continues to uphold the highest standards of taekwondo training. We remain committed to fostering respect, perseverance, and unity in every student, just as Grandmaster Cooley did.