Meet our instructors
Teaching Martial Arts with a Commitment to Excellence and with Pure Spirit
Teaching Martial Arts with a Commitment to Excellence and with Pure Spirit
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Our name Sun Soo (pronounced “soon – soo”) is Korean for “pure” or “pure spirit.” We are supportive, encouraging, and respectful with each other, practicing with a spirit of personal responsibility and a commitment to excellence.
We Teach Traditional Tae Kwon Do
for a Full Body Workout
When practiced as it was originally intended, Traditional Tae Kwon Do is a rigorous, balanced, full-body workout, emphasizing intelligent use of the body’s resources through mechanically sound movements. These movements include numerous methods of striking, kicking and blocking, in addition to sweeps, rolls, falls, traps and releases. When taught, understood and properly executed, it is a powerful, energizing and beautiful art and organized self-defense system – all at the same time.
Grandmaster Tony Morris
Founder, Senior Master Instructor, 9th Degree Black Belt Traditional Tae Kwon Do
GRANDMASTER TONY MORRIS is an 9th Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do. He is the founder, resident Grandmaster Instructor and owner of Asheville Sun Soo, as well as the founder of the Asheville Sun Soo Association, which is dedicated to the excellent practice, teaching and preservation of traditional martial arts. Grandmaster Morris began his martial arts practice at the age of 10 and has practiced for more than 50 years, over 40 of which have been spent teaching, in addition to practicing. Grandmaster Morris studied…
Professor Thabiti Sabahive
After School Director/Master Instructor, 7th Degree Black Belt Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
Professor Thabiti Sabahive began his study of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu in 1984 at the age of 11 at the Westside Family YMCA Dojo in LA. A student of Professor William G. Randle since 1994, Professor Sabahive is currently a 7th Degree Black Belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, and holds the additional titles of Senior Instructor with the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation, Chief Instructor with the Shuri-te Bujutsu Kai, and a Kaidensho (Certificate of Full Transmission), with the title of Kyoshi, from the Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu…
Master Jennifer Marshall
4th Degree Black Belt Instructor Traditional Tae Kwon Do
Master Jennifer Marshall is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do and an Adult Lead Instructor for all class levels at Asheville Sun Soo. Master Marshall began her martial arts practice with Asheville Sun Soo in June of 2012 at the age of 11. Master Marshall graduated from the Buncombe County Early College program in June 2020 with the designation of Top Scholar and an Associates of Arts Degree from AB Tech. She worked as a Teen Assistant Instructor at Asheville Sun Soo from…
Master Season Jacques
4th Degree Black Belt Instructor Traditional Tae Kwon Do
Master Season Jacques is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do, an Adult Lead Instructor for all class levels, and the Assistant Director of the After School Program at Asheville Sun Soo. Master Jacques began her martial arts practice with Asheville Sun Soo on January 1, 2013 and continues to practice regularly with her whole family, including her husband and three children. She believes that practicing with your partner is the key to a healthy and strong marriage. Master Jacques graduated from Cape Fear…
Master Phil Jacques
4th Degree Black Belt Instructor Traditional Tae Kwon Do
Master Phil Jacques is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do and an Adult Assistant Instructor in all levels of classes at Asheville Sun Soo. Master Jacques began his martial arts practice with Asheville Sun Soo on January 7, 2013 and continues to practice regularly with his whole family, including his wife and three children. Master Jacques served in the United States Marine Corps from 1991-1995 as a Combat Engineer and was honorably discharged. He worked as an apprentice plumber in Wilmington, NC and…
Master Cyd Dawson
4th Degree Black Belt Instructor Traditional Tae Kwon Do
Cyd Dawson is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do and an Adult Lead Instructor for all class levels at Asheville Sun Soo. Ms. Dawson began her martial arts practice at Asheville Sun Soo in September of 2011. Ms. Dawson earned her Bachelors of Art degree in Psychology from Queens College, City University of New York. She is currently a Client Software Trainer and a Workforce Development Instructor at AB Tech. Previously she was the Social Media creator for Asheville Sun Soo, an Adjunct…
Mr. Josh Wexler
3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor Traditional Tae Kwon Do
Josh Wexler is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do, an Adult Lead Instructor in all levels of classes, and frequently leads the Adult White Belt help sessions at Asheville Sun Soo. Mr. Wexler began his practice, with two of his kids, at Asheville Sun Soo in July 2019. Mr. Wexler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Appalachian State and his Masters degree in Earth Science from University of North Carolina, Charlotte. He is currently the Information Technology Project Manager for…
Jared Mattson
2nd Degree Black Belt Instructor Traditional Tae Kwon Do
Jared Mattson is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do and an Adult Lead Instructor for all class levels at Asheville Sun Soo. Mr. Mattson is a dedicated pharmacist and the owner of Carolina Mountain Pharmacy, where he combines clinical expertise with a passion for personalized patient care. Originally from Alaska, Jared relocated to Asheville 15 years ago, drawn to the region’s sense of community and natural beauty. Outside of his professional life, he has spent the past 8 years practicing Traditional Tae Kwon…