INSTRUCTORS

Mr. Jack Pereira, Head Instructor

Mr. Pereira is the Head Instructor for Gateway Tang Soo Do.  He began martial arts training in Tang Soo Do in 1980.  He received instruction from Mr. Dean Burns, Master Jerry Whitten and Master Steve Laury and was proud to have World Tang Soo Do Association founder and Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin preside over his test for Cho Dan (Black Belt).  He was fortunate to have experienced several opportunities for direct interaction with Grandmaster Shin.  He is a lifetime member of the World Tang Soo Do Association. 

Mr. Pereira assumed stewardship of Gateway TSD around 1993 when he took over TSD instruction at the South Side YMCA and South City YMCA located in St Louis.  In 2001, Gateway TSD moved to the current do jang (studio) at St. Francis of Assisi Church & School located in south county St. Louis.  There he began the SFA Family Martial Arts Program (SFAFMA) with the mission to provide quality martial arts at an affordable cost … particularly targeting those who otherwise would not have been able to attend martial arts classes.  SFAFMA is staffed by volunteers.  Modest proceeds collected are donated to the SFA Grade School STEM Program.

Mr. Pereira has been honored to have had an opportunity to meet and share training with many fine martial artists representing many styles and philosophies.  He is thankful for the dedicated support he has received from his fellow martial arts colleagues and is delighted to have been able to serve the many fine students and their families who have trained with Gateway TSD.

Mr. Mark Rogers, Instructor

Mr. Mark Rogers trained in Tang Soo Do through Gateway TSD attaining a WTSDA Cho Dan rank.  When his work schedule and other obligations permit, he serves as an instructor for Gateway TSD.

Mr. Jeremy Loscheider, Guest Instructor

Mr. Loscheider has been a guest instructor with Gateway Tang Soo Do since Fall 2017, when he joined with daughters Jenna and Sarah to reignite his martial arts practice. To better confront physical bullying, Mr. Loscheider began as a Kyu (student) In 1989 at the Wado-Ki Karate dojo in Homewood, Illinois. Wado-Ki was at the time taught at more than a dozen dojos in the Chicago area founded by Sensei and Soke Roger Jerome from roots in Wado-Ryu, Aikido and Jiu-Jitsu.  Mr. Loscheider earned the rank of shodan (first Dan) in Wado-Ki Karate under Sensei Roger Jerome in 1995, continuing to teach at Wado-Ki's dojo in Homewood, Illinois until starting college at Truman State University the following year. After a long absence from the martial arts, Mr. Loscheider has found a home to grow at Gateway TSD. He contributes to Mr. Pereira's class by leading stretch, floor combinations and drills, teaching Little Dragons in foundational techniques while learning the hyungs and soo bahk do that are unique to Tang Soo Do. 

Mr. Michael Kenny, Contributing Instructor

Mr. Michael Kenny began practicing martial arts in St. Louis at the Academy of Martial Arts and Self-Defense in 1986. Mr. Kenny currently holds the rank in Hapkido of Black Belt-First Degree from the Midwest Tae-Kwon Do Federation. Mr. Kenny opened and currently operates the Hoshin Sul Academy teaching Hapkido.  Mr. Kenny also trains in the Korean style of Tang Soo Do under Mr. Jack Pereira. Professionally, Mr. Kenny is a public-school special education Teacher.

Dr. Kurt Franzi, Contributing Instructor

Dr. Kurt Franzi began his martial arts training under Mr. William Hausner in 1992 through a community education program at Lindbergh School District and at the Academy of Martial Arts and Self-Defense. Dr. Franzi also had the opportunity to travel and train at the school of the late Hapkido Grand Master Han Bong-soo. Dr. Franzi currently holds the Hapkido rank of Black Belt-First Degree from the Midwest Tae-Kwon Do Federation. Dr. Franzi is a Hapkido instructor at the Hoshin Sul Academy.  Dr. Franzi also trains in the Korean Martial Art of Tang Soo Do under Mr. Pereira. Professionally, Dr. Franzi was formerly a college teacher and is retired from law enforcement.