“Our dedicated staff of Instructors are committed to helping you be your best”
Our Chief Instructor
Grand Master Corey Lewis
Grand Master Lewis is a 8th Dan Black Belt, Ph.D., and Internationally Certified Tae Kwon Do Instructor. He began training under Grand Master Chae Sun Yi in 1983, at the age of eleven. Since that time he has won a number of National Form and Fighting Championships and competed with the US Tae Kwon Do Team and Olympians from all over the world. Grand Master Lewis has been teaching Martial Arts to men, women, and children of all ages, at both private martial arts academies and universities since 1993, and brings a knowledge of injury prevention and rehabilitation,sports nutrition, behavioral psychology, world philosophy, and mind-body connection to his teaching and practice. Grand Master Lewis also has over 25 years of Mixed Martial Arts experience, and has trained in a wide variety of styles from Wrestling, Boxing, and Muy Thai, to Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Aikido, and Judo. In addition to his Martial Arts certifications, Master Lewis is a practicing Reiki healer, Self-Mastery Coach, and Silva Mediation Method practitioner. He is also a father of two boys, Hunter and Bodie, who both practice Tae Kwon Do, and a professor of English at Humboldt State University. Grand Master Lewis teaches both kids and adult classes here at Sun Yi’s, as well as the Mixed Martial Arts and Black Belt Classes.
Our Lead Instructor
Master Travis Holter
Master Travis Holter began training Tae Kwon Do in 2003, in Manhattan Kansas, and is a 5th Dan Black Belt and an Internationally Certified Instructor. He is a Nationally ranked Tae Kwon Do tournament champion, and has trained extensively in Judo and Jujitsu. Master Holter teaches both kids and adult classes here at Sun Yi’s, as well as our Black Belt Classes.ity. Master Lewis teaches both kids and adult classes here at Sun Yi’s, as well as the Mixed Martial Arts and Black Belt Classes.
Our Office Manager and Instructor
Junior Master Kellie Leahy
Kellie Leahy began training Tae Kwon Do in 1994 in Santa Rosa, earning her recommended black belt and winning several regional championships. She earned her 4th Dan Black Belt here at Sun Yi’s in 2013 and continues to train with her two Black Belt children, Katie and Ryan. Mrs. Leahy teaches kids and Tiny Tigers classes here at Sun Yi’s, and manages our front office.
Our Tiny Tigers Instructor
Junior Master Sarah James
Sarah James is a 4th Dan Black Belt and began her training her at Sun Yi’s in 2009. She is an Early Childhood Educator and a mother of two and teaches in our Tiny Tigers Program.
Our Tiny Tigers Instructor
Ms. Shan Thacker
Shan Thacker began training Tae Kwon Do in 2010 at Sun Yi’s here in Arcata, and is a 3rd Dan Black Belt and Internationally Certified Instructor that teaches in our Tiny Tigers program.
Our Founder
Grand Master Chae Sun Yi
Grand Master Chae Sun Yi holds a 9th degree black belt and is the Founder and President of the Sun Yi’s Academy system of schools, and the Traditional Tae Kwon Do Association. He continues to teach today, acting as Chief Instructor our national Headquarters in Topeka, Kansas. Grand Master Yi has more than 55 years experience serving and promoting our martial art. He began his illustrious career in Korea where he served as the Captain of the National Republic of Korea Army Tae Kwon Do team, winners of the esteemed South Korean National Presidents Cup. In 1973 Grand Master Yi immigrated to the United States to teach Tae Kwon Do, and since that time he has produced thousands of Black Belts. Grand Master Yi’s students have won hundreds of national championships, competed with the US Olympic team and gone on to open their own Sun Yi’s academies across the nation, from North Carolina to California, and everywhere in between. Grand Master Yi continues to teach and train today, hosting regularly scheduled Instructors and Black Belt Seminars as well as the National Traditional Tae Kwon Do Championships each year.