Grand Master McVoy is a 9th dan who hails from College Park, MD. He began his martial arts training while he was a young boy living in the Orient and studied there for 9 years. When he came back to the United States he resumed his training under Grand Master Jhoon Rhee (aka "the Father of American Taekwondo") He became one of Jhoon Rhee's instructors then went on to open up his own school of 33 years, The Studio of Korean Karate Inc., in College Park,Maryland. Grand Master McVoy has been training in the Martial Arts for over 55 years and teaches the traditional style of Taekwondo and self defense.
Neil McVoy spent a great deal of his youth living abroad with his family. He graduated from High School (Oberrealschule Miesbach) in 1964 in Bavaria, Germany. His native tongue is English but he also speaks fluent German. In 1968 he received an A.A. Degree from Montgomery College, Takoma Park, Maryland and in 1971 he received a B.A. in Anthropology at the University of Maryland. He worked for the Department of Defense and for the National Security Agency before moving to Tennessee. He is currently filling his retirement time by Substitute teaching in the Wilson County area.
Grand Master McVoy is dedicated to quality instruction, with an emphasis on individualized instruction tailored to the needs of each student with a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. He molds a unique blend of traditional Oriental philosophy and techniques with modern innovations and applications where students can develop confidence, respect, and sportsmanship that will last a lifetime.
Awards & Certifications1948 -1953 Goju Ryu with Gogen Yamaguchi - Tokyo, Japan
1954 -1957 Goju Ryu – Jakarta, Indonesia
1957 -1963 Goju Ryu (3rd Dan) – Munich, Germany
1965 -1972 Chung Do Kwon (Traditional style of Tae Kwon Do)
Jhoon Rhee Institute - Washington D.C.
Head Instructor – Vienna, VA
Head Instructor - Hyattsville, MD
September 10, 1967 - Promoted to 1st Dan
June 11, 1971 - Promoted to 2nd Dan
1966 – 1968 - President of the Karate Club - Montgomery College Takoma Park, Maryland campus
May 8, 1967 – Awarded a Certificate of Achievement from Montgomery College
May 18, 1967 – Awarded a Student Activities Key for work in both the karate club and the ski club from Montgomery College
1968 – Taught an accredited course in Tae Kwon Do – Mt. Vernon Junior College, Washington, DC.
1968 – 1976 – Taught a course in Tae Kwon Do – University of Maryland
1971 – 2006 Chief Referee U.S. Eastern Regional Karate Championships
1972 - Official Tournament Judge Jhoon Rhee Institute, Washington, D.C.
1972 – Awarded Plaque for Outstanding and Dedicated Service from the Jhoon Rhee Institute, Washington D.C.
1972 – Awarded Certificate of Appreciation from the students of the Hyattsville Branch of the Jhoon Rhee Institute
1973 – 2006 – Founder and Head Instructor of the Studio of Korean Karate, Inc., College Park, MD
Trained to senior level (6th Dan Robert Celentano and 6th Anoop Mehta) and 25 other dan levels ranging from 1st Dan to 3rd Dan.
1983 - Awarded Plaque for Outstanding Demonstration in the Art of Tae Kwon Do from the Scottish Rite Temple, Washington, D.C.
1988 – Awarded Plaque for Human Achievement from SKK, MD
2001 – Accepted as a Life Member of the National Registry of Who’s Who
2002 – Taught a training program CEAP C/RS Navsea (DOD) Washington Navy Yard “Martial Arts In Perspective†– Washington, DC
2005 – Awarded Honorary Plaque for Commitment & Support of TKA 40th Anniversary and Eastern Regional Karate Championships
December 10, 2005 - Promoted to 9th Dan
