Ki Martial Arts Centers

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Master Instructors

Instructor Master Dan Piller

Master Piller has been a lifelong practitioner of the martial arts beginning his
journey in the 1970’s.

  • Began martial arts training Mid 1970s
  • Illinois State Judo Champ 1977
  • Colorado State Taekwondo Champ 1986
  • Open Weapons Champ 1987
  • National Level Referee United States Taekwondo Union 1987
  • Pan Am Level Referee – United States Taekwondo Union 1990
  • US Olympic Team Trials Judge 1992
  • Certified US Taekwondo Instructor 1993
  • Colorado State Taekwondo Union “Instructor of the Year” – 1994
  • Promoted to Master Instructor 2002
  • Founded Ki Martial Arts Centers 2003
  • Executive Director of the World Hapkido Association 2004 – 2007
  • Promoted to Secretary General of the WHA 2007 – 2016
  • Founded the Independent Fellowship of Martial Arts (IFMA)
  • Host for the WHA Ultimate Hapkido Summer Training Camp 04, 06, 08, 10
  • Host for the WHA Ultimate Hapkido Winter Training Camp 2003-Yearly
  • Mike Swain Judo / Yudo Certified Instructor 2004
  • Law Enforcement – Defensive Tactics Certified Instructor (POST-OSS)
  • Hapkido Instructor of the Year – WHFSC INTERNATIONAL 2006
  • Master Instructor of the Year – World Hapkido Association – 2008
  • Trained & taught at seminars throughout the US and Internationally in Austria, Brazil, Canada, India, Korea, Morocco, Panama City, Panama, & Moscow, Russia
  • Guest Defensive Tactics Instructor for Federal Law Enforcement – Ft. Carson Army Base, State of Oklahoma Police Academy & Local agencies throughout US
  • Certified First Aid, AED & Supplemental O2

Additional Training & Martial Arts Studies

Created MuSa Kwan Hapkido – KHF Recognized 12/23

  • GM MYUNG YONG KIM
  • GMHwang, In Shik – WHA
  • GM Jung, Tae Hee – WHA
  • GM Rudy Timmerman – NKMAA
  • GM Oh, Se-Lim – KHF
  • GM J. R. West – USKMAF
  • GM He-Young Kimm
  • Wickham Sensei
  • Swain Sensei
  • Grace Jividen Sensei
  • GM Jung, Tae Hee – WHA (Hapki Kum Sool)
  • Uchida Sensei – Mushinkan (Kendo &Iaido)
  • Scott Kendrick– USFMAF
  • Eric Mayes – ICHF
  • Monty Hendrix – EMC
  • Rick Dunn– OSS
  • Andy Stanford – OPS
  • 7th Dan Hapkido – Korea Hapkido Federation (KHF)
  • 7th Dan Taekwondo – Pro TKD MAC
  • 4th Dan Taekwondo – Kukkuwon/WTF
  • 3rd Dan Taiho Jutsu – OSS
  • Sankyu/Brown Belt Judo – USA Judo
  • Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor – Level 3 POST/OSS

Master Dante James

As Master Piller’s senior student and a licensed attorney, Master James holds the working titles of Vice- President, General Counsel, and Chief of Staff. Master James is also responsible for the growth and development of Ki Martial Arts Centers Instructor Certification program. Master James began his martial arts training in 1974 and has continued without pause through the military, two decades of traditional Taekwondo, and living and training in Japan in several arts. Master James began training exclusively in Hapkido in 2002 under Master Dan Piller, achieving the rank of 5th Dan in July 2023. With nearly 50 years of Martial Arts experience, Master James is a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team, and his input and guidance have helped shape the path of our fellowship.

Master Michael Kitch

With a master’s degree education in leadership & policy, Master Kitch brings a unique skill set to the fellowship. He has been instrumental in the overall growth the teaching skills, as the Director of Instructor & Curriculum Development. He also taught English in Korea, while earning his Hapkido black belt during his years abroad.
Master Michael Kitch started his martial arts journey training TaeKwonDo in 1995 while in high school under Master Dante James. He then earned his 1st Dan in July of 1999 with the America TaeKwonDo Association (ATA). Then going on to earn a 2nd Dan through The United States Korean Martial Arts Federation in 2005. In addition, he began his train in Hapkido under Master Piller at Ki Martial Arts Centers.