Meet Our Instructors!

We are proud of our instructors who know each student by name and their individual abilities. They're able to motivate, lead, and teach our students to be their best, not only in martial arts and fitness but in their personal lives, as well. All of our instructors are Black Belts or certified Fitness Instructors.


Mr. Martin A. Lempert, Owner and Senior Instructor
Mr. Lempert has been training with Kang’s Black Belt Academy since he was 5 years old and holds the rank of 3rd Dan. Tae Kwon Do has guided his life ever since that kindergarten year. For Mr. Lempert, Martial Arts is a way of life that provides an outlet for continuous self-improvement. Mr. Lempert believes that as long as we keep growing, we are getting stronger and better in all areas of life.

Mr. Lempert says that Tae Kwon Do at Kang’s Black Belt Academy is about confidence, strength and growth. It’s also about being part of a team. Our team of instructors works together to help every student reach their goals and succeed. He is dedicated to the belief that each and every black belt at Kang’s is a shared success between students and their instructors. “I feel so proud of each of our students as they reach their next belt level,” Mr. Lempert says. “Every time a student works their hardest to be the best that they can be, then that is success in its truest form for all the Kang’s family.”

Mr. Lempert is dedicated to that idea that Kang’s Black Belt Academy is truly a family, providing opportunities for children and adult students to succeed in an environment of caring, support, encouragement, as well as fun.

Mr. Lempert has completed his degree in Microbiology from Binghamton University in NY. When not at the studio, he enjoys playing the piano and watching movies. He is likes cooking and trying new recipes.

Master Mark Malakoff, Senior Instructor
Master Mark Malakoff has more than 38 years’ experience in the Martial Arts and holds the rank of 5th Dan, specializing in the arts of traditional Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. Master Malakoff also holds a 1st Dan black belt in TangSooDo and KukSoolWon, both Korean styles, which are a blend of hard and soft styles.

Master Malakoff began his training at the age of 15 in Pittsburgh, PA under the instruction of Master Rick Lengyel and Master Achille “Ike” Aka. Master Malakoff also attended all Black Belt classes held by Master Frank DiMatteo in the ‘70s and ‘80s before moving to Maryland in the late ‘80s. He did this to pursue his love for teaching Tae Kwon Do.

Master Malakoff also trained under Master Al Gauthier in Annapolis, MD in the early ‘90s at the Korean Martial Arts Academy to increase his knowledge of the Martial Arts.

Master Malakoff has been teaching in this area for more than 35 years. He is dedicated to creating a positive environment for children and adults alike; helping students to gain self-confidence and develop their self-esteem while having fun learning the Martial Arts. He tells all students that to gain respect from others, you must first respect yourself. You do this by taking care of yourself by eating healthy food, exercising, having good personal hygiene and, most importantly, getting the rest your body needs.

Mrs. Mary Ann Malakoff, Senior Instructor
Mrs. Mary Ann Malakoff is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and is a Master Instructor of all Lil’ Dragon classes taught throughout Montgomery County, MD. She is the creator of the “Pink & Blue Ninja” Tae Kwon Do program at Kang’s, and is a licensed Zumba and Strong by Zumba Instructor.

Mrs. Malakoff’s Martial Arts story starts in the late ‘70s when she used to drive 15-year-old Master Malakoff to Tae Kwon Do classes in Oakland, PA. She said, “I never thought much about being a black belt then. I was just giving my boyfriend a ride to Karate school! Many years later, when Master Malakoff and I got married (after not seeing each other for 18 years), everyone asked me when I was going to start training. My standard answer was, ‘When I turn 40!’ Then it happened!!” Mrs. Malakoff brings her love of teaching and helping others achieve success to all she does. She encourages all the students and helps them see that they can succeed.

Mr. Griffith “Griff” Page, Senior Instructor
Mr. Griffith “Griff” Page has trained in the Martial Arts since he was 10 years old. He is a senior instructor at the Kang’s studio in Olney, and teaches the Lil’ Dragons program at a number of pre-schools in Montgomery County, MD. Mr. Page brings a high level of enthusiasm to working with students of all ages. When he is teaching our youngest students in the Lil’ Dragon and Kid Tigers programs, he helps these students gain the confidence to know that they can succeed. He helps them grow their self-control and respect, and doesn’t hesitate to get down on the floor to play a game or talk to the students. Mr. Page strives to make every interaction with students a positive and enlightening experience.

Mr. Page is also very artistic. In his free time, Mr. Page enjoys trail cycling, metal working, and playing with his big dogs.

Ms. Dawn Herold joined the Kang’s team 10 years ago and has since attained the rank of permanent 1st Dan Black Belt under the guidance of Master Mark Malakoff. Ms. Dawn brings her high level of enthusiasm and energy to everything she does at Kang’s. Ms. Dawn is a key member in running Kang’s on the studio floor and behind the scenes. She is very excited about helping all students, from the youngest to the oldest adults, reach their fitness goals and just feel better about themselves. She has an extensive background in Yoga and personal training. Ms. Dawn looks forward to meeting you at your first class!

Mrs. Robin Lempert & Mr. Stuart Lempert, Management Team
Mrs. Lempert has been training at Kang’s in the Pink Ninja program for the past 3 years. When her sons started training they’d always ask her to start taking classes, and she never thought she would. Then the Pink Ninja program started and she loves Tae Kwon Do. Mrs. Lempert also manages the computer programs and office for Kang’s. Mrs. Lempert has worked in the non-profit world in adult education and taught dance for many years. Her college degrees are in ethnomusicology and math. When she’s not at the studio, Mrs. Lempert teaches elementary school, and is a Math Specialist as well as a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher.

Mr. Stuart Lempert has been training at Kang’s for several years. He is now part of the Blue Ninjas program and really enjoys training with his whole family. Mr. Lempert is a C.P.A. and as part of Kang’s management team he handles the financial end of the business. Mr. Lempert enjoys sports, manages a men’s softball team, and is a fan of the New York Yankees and Giants, as well as other New York sports teams. He also enjoys music and political discussions.