(This is part two of a two-part series on Sonoma Martial Arts School.)
The Sonoma Martial Arts School faculty has received a major boost with the hiring of two well-known instructors to help teach the school's growing student body.
The new recruits are Master Martin Marcus, who holds a prestigious ninth-degree black belt in taekwondo, a combat and martial art that originated in Korea shortly after World War II, and Master Ellen Seibenlist, who holds a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo.
“These new members bring decades of expertise and a shared passion for using martial arts to combat bullying and empower children, teens and adults,” said Robert Morey, the school's CEO and lead instructor.
Molly said it was a “great honor” to have Marcus at Sonoma Martial Arts School.
“He's an international judge and travels all over the world,” Morey said, “and he also advises several national teams, including Israel. He's very well known in the taekwondo world, and it goes without saying that he's well versed in many versions of taekwondo and has helped our black belts become very good and understand the why and how of everything related to the sport.”
Born and raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Marcus discovered martial arts at the age of 15. After a breakup and feeling down, he joined the YMCA, where he started swimming and training. One day, he noticed a Korean karate class at the YMCA and joined. This was the beginning of a 53-year career in martial arts.
Marcus made his teaching debut as a blue belt.
“My grandparents couldn't come to class because of a snowstorm, so they called me and asked me to teach them in their broken English,” he said. “I remember standing at the front of the classroom as the oldest student and the feeling of teaching was amazing.”
He considers his greatest accomplishment as a teacher to be seeing his students grow in martial arts and in life.
“I also got to write the first AAU refereeing book for the Taekwondo program and serve as the model for several other books on form for the International Taekwondo Federation,” Marcus said, “and this year I started Taekwondo Silverbacks to encourage seniors to continue training and to bring older students to training.”
He achieved the rank of 9th dan, the highest rank available to active taekwondo practitioners. To achieve this rank, practitioners must be at least 53 years old, have approximately 40 years of dedicated and consistent training, and have contributed to the taekwondo community in various capacities, such as instructor, leader, referee, or official.
The highest rank in taekwondo is 10th dan, but it is more of an honorary title, one that only a handful of people have received, and most are awarded posthumously.
“My greatest achievement is being able to continue in martial arts for 53 years,” Marcus said.
He listed other highlights as achieving 9th dan, teaching and spreading taekwondo to others, training and being ranked in other martial arts, becoming an international taekwondo judge and traveling to more than 40 countries.
Marcus works as a controller and business manager for Berkeley Honda. He also owns a business that helps car dealerships with accounting issues and a business that trains and represents Taekwondo judges.
Morley said Siebenlist had a “wonderful, kind, fun, engaging and energetic” personality.
“She practices hard, but is always available for anyone who needs anything or has questions,” he said. “She's also a member of the Taekwondo Silverbacks (a group for older practitioners) and helps out with events locally and in Hawaii.”
“She loves teaching, and when we asked her to help out with Little Tigers (a program for children ages 4 to 6), she jumped at the opportunity, not only because she loves kids, but also because she is looking to open her own school in Oakland. We are honored and lucky to have her teaching at our school.”
Zybennist was born in Daegu, South Korea, but grew up in the small town of Jeonnam, South Korea.
“My parents put me in ballet school when I was young, but when I saw my brother practicing taekwondo, I convinced them to take up taekwondo too,” she said. “At first, my parents were against it because it was unusual to see a girl practicing taekwondo. But I practiced both ballet and taekwondo and eventually convinced them. I thought the movements, the kicks, the kihaps (chants) – everything was so beautiful and powerful.”
When he was 10, Savenrist moved with his family to the East Bay and continued training in taekwondo, earning a fourth-degree black belt under master Steve LaPorte in San Francisco, a second-degree black belt in Korean swordsmanship under master Rick Powell in Concord and began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu a few months ago.
She has taught students ranging from 4 years old to 70 years old and loves the entire process.
“Perfecting a technique takes time and effort,” she said. “To me, being a teacher means being able to be a part of someone's journey. There's nothing better than seeing the joy on my students' faces when they are finally able to execute the kick, punch or block they've been practicing for so long!”
She works in the asset management team and in her free time enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dogs.
Reporter Dan Johnson can be contacted at daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com.
