Instructors
REV. MASTER C-D. YOUNG
OWNER/CHIEF INSTRUCTOR OF ENGAGE IN HENDERSON
- Certified 6th Dan Black Belt – Song Moo Kwan
- International Martial Arts Council of America (IMAC) Certified Black Belt
- World Songmookwan United Charter School – Head Master
- IMAC Certified Black Belt Instructor
- Krav Maga Certified Defensive Tactics Instructor
- IMAC Charter School and Black Belt Program
- United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame Class of 2019 – Distinguished Instructor of the Year
- 2020 Inductee into the Bruce Lee & Arnold Hall of Honor for Taekwondo Master Instructor
- Ordination 2020 - Spiritual Ministry
Master C-D. Young is a 5th Dan Black Belt in Song Moo Kwan Taekwondo and has dedicated his life to studying and training in the art. Mr Young is a lifelong martial arts practitioner and a kids enthusiast who found his passion for teaching at a young age. He earned his Black Belt in 1992 and has been one of the lead instructors, weapons instructor, and demo team coordinator since 1995. In 2012 he opened his own karate school.
Master Young has instructed with the Silver State Law Enforcement Academy as the Defensive Tactics Instructor. He also holds a blue belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Mica Cipli and the late Don Charley.
Master Young is a native of the Las Vegas valley, graduating from Silverado High School and earning his Bachelors Degree in 2004 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2007, he founded SLC – Student Leadership Clinics for the Leadership Development of Music Students across the Las Vegas Valley and in the West Coast Region. He currently assists with “Service and Leadership Club,” a youth organization that helps develop community service projects that involve teens and young kids in the planning of these endeavors.
In 2019, Master Young had the honor and privilege of being the Opening Seminar at the
International Martial Arts Council of America’s 30th annual training camp. As part of this camp, Master Young presented his Black Belts to the 21st annual Grandmaster’s Council for demonstration at the event. As part of the event, Master Young and his students celebrated the surprise nomination and induction to the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame as the class of 2019 Inductee for the Distinguished Instructor of the Year Category. Master Young was blessed to share this class induction with his Father, Master Gary Young, Sifu Andy Kimura, and Living Legend Sigung Taky Kimura, Bruce Lee’s best friend and certified instructor of Jeet Kune Do.
In 2020, Master Young was nominated and inducted into the Bruce Lee & Arnold Hall of Honor, as Master Taekwondo Instructor alongside his father at the 44th Annual Event. Master Young was nominated by Spgm Joon P Choi, 10th Dan of the Song Moo Kwan United System and Senior Master Robert Frankovich on SMKU.
Michele Young - Senior Instructor
Life Mastery Program Director
4th Dan Black Belt Song Moo Kwan
- International Martial Arts Council of America (IMAC) Certified Black Belt
- United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame Class of 2020
- Life Mastery Program Director
- Professional Speaker
- Community Service Coordinator
Mrs. Michele Young is a 3rd degree black belt in Song Moo Kwan Taekwondo and has dedicated her life to helping the children, teens and adults she works with achieve personal success. She has trained in martial arts since 2007 and spent the past 14 years committed to personal training and growth. She earned her black belt in 2011 and since that time has lead instruction, demo team events, self defense programs, community service projects and leadership training programs. She currently leads the younger children’s martial arts programs and is the Life Mastery Training Facilitator, providing group and one on one coaching to children, teens and young adults who are
ready to take action and develop the habits that will lead them to success.
Mrs. Young is a native of Las Vegas, graduating from Bishop Gorman High School in 2002. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2005. Continuing to earn her Masters in Communication from UNLV in 2008 and teaching public speaking at both UNLV and CSN.
Mrs. Young spent 10 years as the Director of Student Activities at Bishop Gorman High School where she developed student leadership programs and cultivated a dynamic student culture. In addition to her programs in Las Vegas, she is a professional speaker, facilitating the Breaking Down the Walls program, with Learning For Living Inc., for Middle and High School students across the United States and Canada.
Master Gary Young
6th Dan Black Belt Song Moo Kwan
- Started in June 1989
What hobbies do you have outside of martial arts?
Using my hands to build and repair things that are broken. I try to pass this ability to my grand children when they work with me.
What is your favorite memory in martial arts?
Being awarded my 5th Dan Black belt at the same time that my son received his 5th Dan Black Belt.
Where do you feel you have grown the most through Martial Arts?
I have grown the most in my Martial Arts in my ability to teach and help students understand the skills they learn as they promote through the ranks.
What is one goal you want to achieve in your life? Why?
What I would really like to achieve in my life time is to provide my grandchildren access to my personal life knowledge, opportunities for them to learn skills using their hands, and encouragement. This I believe will allow them to grow into confident, self-sufficient, loving and compassionate individuals.
Bridgette Bandy - Instructor
3rd Dan Black Belt Song Moo Kwan
- Started in 2012
What is your favorite memory in martial arts?
One of my favorite memories was at a tournament I won I competed in kata and weapons in weapons I was against all guys who were all older then me and kata I was against 9 other people and I ended up taking first in both of my divisions with nunchucku 2 and 10th adv I remembered being so happy since I had spent at least 3 hours a day for at least 2 monthes practicing for that tournament and when I won there was a little girl “saying wow she won both!!” And I just couldn’t stop smiling it’s a very great memory of showing that I can win even when the odds are in my favor to lose!
Where do you feel you have grown the most through Martial Arts?
I feel like I have grown most as a person in discovering confidence, bravery, and courage it’s something they helped me develop over time and I am so grateful I did.
What hobbies do you have outside of martial arts?
Cheerleading, reading, and painting
Lauryn Tillery - Studio Manager
2nd Dan Black Belt Song Moo Kwan
- Started in 2015
Where do you feel you have grown the most through Martial Arts?
My confidence has grown the most through my martial arts. Martial Arts has helped me
be able to be okay with being outside my comfort zone.
What is one goal you want to achieve in your life? Why?
A goal I have in my life is to go to finish college and be able to live on my own.
What is your favorite thing to train on in martial arts? Why?
My favorite thing to train on in Martial Arts is Kata. My favorite thing about Kata
is that it gives me a chance to perform.
A CD Young's Karate Brand
Engage offers a family style martial arts program for students ages 5 and up. With separate classes for adults and kids.
As Seen on:
