Our History

The Martial art of Tang Soo Do is relatively modern, however its roots in the Korean art of Soo Bahk Do, go back over 100 years. Tang Soo Do is a composite style, being 60% Soo Bahk Do and 40% Northern and Southern Chinese martial systems.

Tang Soo Do is most visible in Korea on various U.S. military Bases. It was there that Robert Cheezic of Waterbury studied under Master Jae Chul Shin and became only the 2nd American to obtain a Dan (Black Belt) ranking in this art at that time. Later over 50 other Americans, most notably Robert Cheezic and Chuck Norris returned to the United States to teach this Martial discipline individually.

In 1961 Grand Master Cheezic returned to his native Waterbury CT and opened a school to teach Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. Currently The Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation encompasses over 60 schools in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

Welcome student to the Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation!!!

THE HISTORY OF OUR SCHOOL begins in 1974 in Canterbury under the direction of Master Steven Bardsley, student of Master Cheezic.  The Danielson Karate Club, as it was known then, moved to Maple Street in Danielson and shortly afterwards to the American Legion Hall. 

In 1982, the school moved once again to the Elks club in Danielson under the guidance of Master Joseph Johnson, the former student of Master Bardsley.  The school stayed at that location for years until Master Gary Guay, former student of Master Johnson, became Chief Instructor in 1987.

Under Master Guay's instruction we became the Danielson Martial Arts Academy and in 1990, moved to Maple Street once again.  During that time our Academy sent a group of Black Belts, including 1st Dan Black Belt Daryl Laperle to compete with the United States Karate Team in Eastern Europe.

In 1993, the academy was moved to Central Village.  In May 1994, Master Daryl Laperle, former student of Master Guay, took over leadership of the Academy.  In 1999, Master Laperle expanded the Academy to a second school in Dayville to re-establish our presence in the Danielson area.  In 2000, the two schools were combined into one location in Danielson, with over 5000 square feet of floor space, making it one of the largest Martial Arts facilities in New England.  Under Master Laperle's leadership, the Academy has become a cornerstone in Northeast Connecticut, and has even hosted two Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation Black Belt Gradings, considered a high honor within the Federation.  Members of our academy have since traveled to Australia, China, and Bermuda for international competition and training, as well as Ireland, Italy and Poland on martial arts related trips.  In February 2007, the Danielson Martial Arts Academy was awarded Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federations' School of the Year, the highest award that can be given to a federation school.  With over 20 active black belts, D. M. A. A. boasts the largest instructional staff in any martial arts school in Connecticut. 

In November 2009, after 35 years in business, Danielson Martial Arts Academy moved to 30 Wauregan Rd. in Danielson, a building and property owned by the Laperle family, solidifying D.M.A.A.'s future in Danielson.

In June 2010, Danielson Martial Arts Academy made federation history by promoting the very first American Military black belt in Iraq.

The leadership of our federation is an unbroken line of student becoming teacher and furthering our goal of being  the most disciplined and well trained Martial Artists in our Federation.

Come join our proud tradition!