About
Blue Mountain Martial Arts is a premier martial arts studio located in Ellicott City, MD. Our studio, based out of the Westchester Community Center in Oella, is dedicated to teaching the art of Haidong Gumdo (sometimes also spelled Haedong Kumdo), a traditional Korean sword art that focuses on discipline, respect, and physical fitness. We take pride in offering a welcoming environment for teenagers and adults of all skill levels to learn and grow. We are also proud to hold the title of Best Dojang on the East Coast for the medals our students have won in regional tournaments.
Meet Our Instructors
John Jacobs
Master Instructor
Master Jacobs has been training for over 25 years, with experience in arts ranging from Japanese Kendo and Iaido, to Korean Taekwondo and Gicheon. He is the leader of Blue Mountain, and he brings to the floor intensity, presence, and a fiery passion for this ancient way of life and the benefits it has to offer to the modern practitioner. He has trained over 100 students, and more than a dozen black belts.
Achievements:
Pan-American gold medalist and sword test cutting champion, and a member of the 2016 and 2024 PanAm demonstration teams.
Certifications:
Master Jacobs is an internationally certified 6th degree black belt instructor, one of only a select few to hold this rank outside of Korea, making him one of the highest ranked Haidong Gumdo instructors in all of North America, and the world.
Mike Kreisher
Instructor
Mike has been involved in martial arts since a young age and has studied a variety of styles including Kempo Karate, Taekwondo, and Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu; but he has always had a true passion for the balance in the art of the sword. Starting Haidong Gumdo in 2000 at Salisbury University, he soon took over leadership of the club and today he continues his goals of spreading the art and advancing his own training.
Certifications:
Mike is a 4th degree black belt, and the second instructor at Blue Mountain.
Lineage
Master Jacobs has studied with the following teachers, among others.
BLACK BELTS
The following list honors those students who have earned black belt rank at
Blue Mountain since the school was founded in 2007.
Name | Rank |
|---|---|
Michael Kreisher | 4th dan |
Daniel Short | 4th dan |
Robert Williams | 2nd dan |
Daniel Colavita | 2nd dan |
William Overman | 2nd dan |
Margaret Kahlor | 2nd dan |
Francis Wehberg | 1st dan |
Lan Mei | 1st dan |
Adam Reich | 1st dan |
Hans Lee | 1st dan |
Jack Barnes | 1st dan |
Eric Cykoski | 1st dan |
Christopher Allen | 1st dan |