Master Linda Catalano, 6th Dan
Master Linda Catalano began her training at the Bismarck School of Taekwondo in 1990. In 1996, when the Bismarck School of Taekwondo dissolved, she joined two other blackbelts from the school and founded Alliance Taekwondo. The three blackbelts met with a number of different Masters trained by Great Grandmaster Moo Young Yun, and enthusiastically asked permission of Grandmaster Eric Greenquist to join his association. With Great Grandmaster Yun’s blessing, Grandmaster Greenquist agreed, and the rest is history.
Of the three Black Belts that founded Alliance, Master Catalano is the only one still remaining at the school, and the only one of the three to have achieved the rank of Master. Master Catalano passed her Taekwondo 6th Dan test in December of 2015, and in 2012 she achieved the rank of 4th Dan in Hapkido, making her a “double master.” She has put together a compelling women’s defense curriculum, and hopes to develop the program even further in years to come. Master Catalano is a lifetime Chang Moo Kwan member; she continues to train under Grandmaster Greenquist, and has been to South Korea multiple times with Great Grandmaster Yun.
Master Devon Waldron, 5th Dan
Master Devon Waldron began training at the Bismarck School of Taekwondo in 1990. In 1996, as a jr. blackbelt, he served as an assistant instructor for the newly formed Alliance Taekwondo. Today he continues to teach; he was the head instructor at Alliance Washburn for two years, was the director of the children’s program at the Alliance Taekwondo Center for nearly five years, and is now the general director at Alliance Taekwondo. Master Waldron also holds the rank of 4th Dan in Hapkido, making him a “double master”; he also holds a master status in one system of Chinese martial arts as well. Master Waldron continues to train under Grandmaster Greenquist, and has been to South Korea with Great Grandmaster Yun for training multiple times.
Master Tammy Fairbanks, 4th Dan
Master Tammy Fairbanks began her training at the Bismarck School of Taekwondo in 1992. In 1995, when the Bismarck School of Taekwondo dissolved, she continued training and achieved the rank of 1st Dan in 1999. After achieving 2nd Dan, Master Fairbanks took some time off for motherhood, after which she returned to full training and earned her 3rd Dan. Master Fairbanks took ownership of a portion of the children’s classes in 2012. She passed her Taekwondo 4th Dan test in 2018. Master Fairbanks continues to train under Alliance and the Greenquist Association, has been to South Korea for training with Great Grandmaster Yun and is a lifetime Chang Moo Kwan member.
Master Dale Schneibel, 4th Dan
Master Dale Schneibel began training at Alliance Taekwondo in 2003. Master Schneibel studied under Master Linda Catalano, Master Ken Sorenson, and Master Devon Waldron. He achieved his 2nd Dan in 2008 and his 3rd Dan in 2014. As a 3rd Degree, Master Schneibel took ownership of a portion of the adults’ classes in 2018. Despite a major knee surgery and two hip replacements, Master Schniebel achieved the rank of 4th Dan in 2022. In his earlier years he also did some dedicated study of kumdo. Master Schneibel continues to train under Alliance and the Greenquist Association.
Lineage
Great Grandmaster Moo Young Yun, 10th Dan
Great Grandmaster Moo Young Yun is a 10th degree blackbelt, the highest rank awarded by the Kukkiwon. When he arrived in the United States in 1974, he began teaching martial arts in Chicago. He eventually settled in the Fargo/Moorhead area, where he established a training hall. For over thirty years, Great Grandmaster Yun has offered his experience, inspiration and leadership in building a genuine appreciation of martial arts in America through Taekwondo. Great Grandmaster Yun is the founder of the IBBF, and the instructor of Grandmaster Eric Greenquist.
Grandmaster Eric Greenquist, 8th Dan
Grandmaster Eric Greenquist began his martial arts training in 1973 at the then State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota. He tested for his 1st degree blackbelt in 1983 under the direction of Great Grandmaster Moo Yong Yun. In March of 2006, Grandmaster Greenquist tested for, and successfully completed, his promotion to 7th degree blackbelt in Seoul, South Korea, making him a Grandmaster of Taekwondo. In 2012 Grandmaster Greenquist was awarded the rank of 8th degree blackbelt on August 11th, 2012 after completing the exam earlier in the spring. Grandmaster Greenquist also holds the rank of 6th degree in Hapkido and 4th degree in Kumdo, making him a martial arts “triple master.”
Grandmaster Greenquist has over 30 years of instructing experience. He has been traveling to South Korea since 1993 with his instructor, Great Grandmaster Yun, for specialized training and continues his training with Great Grandmaster Yun to this day.