Moo Duk Kwan HQ

Hwang Karate is an authentic traditional Martial Arts studio. The leadership of Kwan Jang Nim HC Hwang is unparalleled in training the mind, body and spirit in a traditional Martial Arts Dojang (studio).
Under the guidance of Kwan Jang Nim HC Hwang, Master Orella is a dedicated and talented instructor. Master Del Sordo developed his expertise as Special Needs Instructor and his students are a testimony of his exceptional talents.Master Del has since changed locations and his services are still sought after and recognized. Master Orella is currently the new head instructor. Some things change and some stay the same and improve.
Master Orela is managing a traditional Soo Bahk Do style in the original studio, that is devoted to hard training and personal commitment to inspire both beginners and advanced students. All levels of student ability are accepted and welcomed to train, sweat and grow.
I am proud to be a long time member of the Moo Duk Kwan family and have also had my children actively involved. Moo Duk Kwan as taught in Hwang Karate, represents a philosophy, an art and a spirit. It enables those that train and practice to find their inner strengths, the warrior within. The conviction and determination we apply during practice, and with the coaching we receive helps us to develop our mind, body and spirit in ourselves.
It is without hesitation, that I would recommend training at Hwang Karate. Master Orella is a true martial artist and a caring and dedicated practitioner that will assist young and old in developing self confidence and a sense of accomplishment in learning a true traditional Martial Art with a long legacy and history!
Yours in Moo Duk Kwan,
James Helfgott

I recently called the hwang karate studio to reenroll my special needs child but was told Master delsordo was no longer at that location. To my surprise Pam is no longer there either, and she was amazing and helpful. I understand they don’t accept children with special needs, and that’s sad because I remember Master delsordo saying everyone was welcome regardless of their needs. I cannot speak for the current instruction at hwang but my feelings are if you don’t accept people for who they are then you aren’t for me.. So I went on a search and found he is in Scotch Plains at Del Martial arts. Master delsordo was an amazing, compassionate and well rounded instructor with more than 20 years of special needs experience alone. He managed to help my child listen, focus and follow direction in a very short period of time. My son had behaviors that were difficult to handle but Master Delsordo had the expertise to channel the issues and allow my child to be more socially accepted. I am grateful for meeting Master Delsordo… For those of you that are looking for results, call him because there is none better.

I am shocked at the negative reviews regarding this business. Most are anonymous and make general claims that can't be substantiated by anyone. Readers please keep this in mind when evaluating. We enrolled our boys at this school, both with varioius special needs, and have been welcomed since day 1. We have never experienced any negative comments from the staff at this business regarding our children and their willingness to participate in the program. Master Orella is a great guy who has a very soft touch working with small children. The children respect him and look at him as a larger than life personality. We have seen nothing but positive stuff coming out of the training the children are getting. They have become more disciplined and the visits to the program are a great outlet for some of their hyperactivity and aggression. Usually there are several instructors on hand, so there is a lot of personalized attention. The quality is there, for those willing to pay the price. I am also concerned about the billing sour grapes. It's very clear when one enrolls at this program that one is entering a contractual agreement to complete the program. No different than a gym membership or cell phone plan, so parents should think twice before signing on impulsively. This is a business after all and they too have payroll and bills to pay in order to remain in business - if customers become fly-by-nights when they no longer wish to participate or can't afford it then it would negatively impact this business's ability to function. Very sad to read these negative comments - the Orella family are lovely people who are giving this their all and I hope the surrounding communities realize what an asset this business is in our midst.

The real deal

Not a storefront or a strip mall offering, Hwang Karate is the real deal. With nearly 70 years of formal organizational history, more than a generation here in NJ, and the Springfield studio led by H.C. Hwang who is in charge of the worldwide organization and a recent Black Belt Magazine” Man of the Year,” here is where karate is taught. I have been training here since 1991 and while not a young man anymore, continue to train and coach students to higher skill levels. I have been in martial arts continuously for 53 years and have seen the good, the bad and the dangerously silly. If you want to learn an art in the traditional way, study here. If you have time and money to burn, visit the strip mall studios. Quality instruction and family atmosphere.
Master Lynford Graham

My son is 6 years old. We signed up for karate lessons this past January. As most children, lately he has decided that he doesn't want to continue the lessons as most 6 year olds won't have their attention held for very long. In addition, when I spoke to the owner who did the test for my son on the hesitation of my son stability in karate he told me “don’t worry” So, April came and I told them with a month in advance that my son won’t continue and then when the nightmare started. My wife called and spoke to the owner and he was rude means (an as…) and he said the only way we can get out of this contract is if I move of the country or if my son gets hurt and can no longer attend. I called back and ask where are the stipulations and he send me according with him a contract sign by me so, the info was the one that I give them when I was interesting but the signature wasn’t and since that day we are receiving bills from a collection company where now they are trying to collect almost $1000. Every body stay away from this people they get you with some types of serious tactics to make everything seem wonderful then blind side you. It's a complete scam and more over my kid had to take classes with kids’ serious psychological and mental problems.
Ridiculous! Complete Scam and disappointed that companies like this wouldn’t be inspected by any authority. Total Scam..