Master Robert Lipstein
taekwondo instructor
Master Lipstein began his taekwondo training at World Classic in 1992, earning his first-degree black belt in February of 1995, his second degree in December of 1997, and his third degree in July of 2000. He earned his fourth degree and the rank of Master in October 2005. He has been an instructor since 1999, and teaches regularly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and the Saturday morning beginners' class. Although his Tuesday-Thursday classes in particular have a reputation for being challenging, rumors that, in an earlier life, Robert was a Marine sergeant drill instructor are not true.

Outside the martial arts world, Robert is a partner in the law firm of Crowell & Moring LLP in Washington, D.C., where he practices antitrust and international trade law. A Silver Spring resident since 1978, Robert is married, and has two children; his son, Matt, now 18, also trained at WCMA for five years, and father and son tested together from white belt through first degree black belt. When time permits, Robert also enjoys an occasional round of golf.

Albert Moyal
taekwondo instructor
Albert first started his training in taekwondo as a student at Boston University during the late '80s and joined World Classic in the fall of 1990. He earned his first-degree black belt in October 1992, his second degree in June 1995, and his third degree in July 2000. He has been an instructor since May 1992 and regularly teaches the Sunday morning classes, and occasional beginners and regular classes during the week. Although a multi-lingual speaker (he speaks French fluently, Arabic, Hebrew, and Spanish conversationally) Albert usually teaches class in English or Korean.

Outside of the taekwondo world, Albert works for the Food and Drug Administration as a biomedical engineer. He finished his master's degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University (GWU) at the same time he tested for his second-degree black belt in 1995. Albert recently completed his "Professional Degree: Degree of Engineer," or his "third degree" in education, from GWU in May. He tutors high school students with learning disabilities in math and science. An ex-New Yahker (as he says), and an avid sports fan, Albert now calls Rockville home where he has lived for the past 12 years.

Karen Kardon
assistant taekwondo instructor
Karen began her taekwondo training in Burlington, Vermont, when she was just six years old, and reached the rank of red belt by the time she was eight. In 1999, Karen joined WCMA and picked up her training again. She earned her first-degree black belt in September 2000, her second-degree black belt in February 2004, and teaches the Sunday morning women and girls' class.

After living throughout the tri-state area and New England, Karen has finally settled in Silver Spring with her husband and three children. In her non-taekwondo time, she raises her children and substitute teaches at their school.