The Staff of the Hwa Rang Do Minneapolis Academy consists of a team of highly motivated and dedicated men and women who believe in the Spirit of excellence which can be achieved through the practice of Hwa Rang Do & Tae Soo Do. Chief Instructor Dylan Sirny teaches them regularly on improving their skills as a teacher, instructor, and councilor, and we are all always striving to continue our own education as well.

Team Kwan Chang

Team Kwan Chang is the group of staff members who oversee all of the dojang activities.

Chief Instructor Dylan Sirny - began his Hwa Rang Do training when the UW - Eau Claire club was initially founded. Understanding some of the many benefits Hwa Rang Do has to offer, he transferred to the Midwest Headquarters in Madison to pursue his education further in this art. This is where he was trained by Kwan Jang Nim David Kijek and also began assisting and teaching classes. While assisting in the growth of the Madison schools, he continued his education at UW - Madison where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in East Asian Studies.

Soon after, he was fortunate enough to receive a special apprenticeship program at the Hwa Rang Do World Headquarters, with the Founder of this art, Dr. Joo Bang Lee. This was a truly unique and awesome opportunity, in which he was groomed as the head instructor of the dojang and administrator for some of the activities of the WHRDA. While there, he was educated in the traditional Way of the martial arts as well as its physical techniques by this art's founder, Dr. Joo Bang Lee, and his eldest son Chief Master Taejoon Lee.

While enjoying the many seasons of Minnesota (yes, including winter) and activities like camping and windsurfing, his heart is connected and committed to instructing Hwa Rang Do. He has taught in summer school programs, with football teams, at local schools and churches, numerous corporations, and presented various demonstrations around the region. He is currently a 3rd Degree Black Sash, Director of Public Relations for the World Hwa Rang Do Association, and is the chief instructor and owner of the Hwa Rang Do Minneapolis, MN Academy where he continues to work on teaching the principles of this art to the next generation of practitioners.

Instructor Reuben Van Hemert - began studying Hwa Rang Do at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1999 under the guidance of Instructor Matthew Pivec. From 2002 until 2005 he served as the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Hwa Rang Do Instructor, following in the foot steps of Instructor Pivec while under the leadership of Master David Kijek. The club continued to grow, and also began to reach out more into the community to develop public awareness about Hwa Rang Do through open seminars with Master Kijek and weekend self-defense workshops with local area businesses. Mr. Van Hemert has had the privilege of studying with some of the finest teachers in the world including: Supreme Grandmaster Dr. Joo Bang Lee, Chief Master Taejoon Lee, Master David Kijek, and Chief Instructor Dylan Sirny.

Instructor Van Hemert has followed Hwa Rang Do from Wisconsin, to Los Angeles, to Korea, and now calls Minneapolis home. A graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in Kinesiology/Physiology, he looks forward to spreading Hwa Rang Do under the tutelage of Instructor Sirny throughout the Minneapolis area while working in the Minneapolis metro area clinics. He currently holds a 1st degree Black Sash in Hwa Rang Do and is attending graduate studies at the University of Augsburg in Minneapolis.

Instructor Preston Packard - began learning Hwa Rang Do here in the Minneapolis area after Instructor Sirny first started teaching here in the cities. From this time, he has trained on a very committed level working hard and sweating 6 days a week here at the dojang. Mr. Packard has become the bulldog of the school on and off the mat. His contributions have just started here at the Minneapolis Academy as he selflessly gives his support to the school and his leadership to the next generation of practitioners. For those of you who want a solid grappling or sparring match jump on in with Mr. Packard as you will be sure to learn something ^^

Instructor Alyssa Marlenee - started her train when the U of MN Club was started at the Twin Cities Campus. She has taken a very serious approach to her training, understanding that the martial art pursuit is one of searching for perfection. This search takes place on very many deep levels, and Ms. Marlenee is committed to this quest of mental and physical harmony here at the Academy. Ms. Marlenee has also won numerous recognitions through her performances at regional and international Hwa Rang Do competitions winning 1st place in almost every division she has competed in from forms, weapons, sparring, and grappling as a Hwa Rang Do practitioner.

Click Here to learn about our Assistant Instructors