The High Performance Institute of Taekwondo

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The High Performance Institute of Taekwondo

The High Performance Institute of TaekwondoThe High Performance Institute of TaekwondoThe High Performance Institute of Taekwondo
  • Home
  • Our Programs
  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Join Today
  • Student Portal
  • FAQ

About Us

Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters

World Class Taekwondo Training In Oklahoma & Texas

Our instructors have years of experience in Taekwondo and are committed to helping each student reach their full potential. They are skilled in teaching both traditional and sport-style Taekwondo. 


The High Performance Institute of Taekwondo is a family owned business. Our instructors and staff volunteer their time to teach, coach, and referee Taekwondo athletes and students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

HPITKD INSTRUCTORS

Our Instructors

Our experienced and certified instructors are passionate about teaching Taekwondo, and are committed to helping our students achieve their goals. They provide personalized instruction and guidance to ensure each student reaches their full potential.

THE 5 TENETS OF TAEKWONDO

Our Values

At The High Performance Institute of Taekwondo, we value integrity, perseverance, and indomitable spirit. We believe that these values are essential to success both in Taekwondo and in life. Our instructors strive to instill these values in our students through class instruction, and by setting a positive example in the dojang and outside of the dojang.

See Why students & families love us!

Grandmaster, Founder, Coach

GRANDMASTER JEAN C. GAMARRA, 7TH DAN, M.S.C.E., PH.D. (ABD)

  • Head Master & Founder of The High performance Institute of Taekwondo
  • 30+ Years Experience Teaching Taekwondo
  • Certified International Master Instructor by the World Taekwondo Academy (Kukkiwon)
  • Certified Poom/Dan Black Belt Examiner by the World Taekwondo Academy (Kukkiwon)
  • Certified Self Defense Master (Kukkiwon)
  • WTMU & World Taekwondo Academy Committee Member & Topic Instructor ('History of Taekwondo') for the 103rd Kukkiwon Master Course (November 2023)
  • Certified High Performance Taekwondo Coach (International Olympic Committee)
  • Certified AAU Coach
  • AAU Oklahoma State Delegate
  • World Taekwondo Masters Union (WTMU), Country President for Peru & Secretary General for Pan-America Region 
  • Oklahoma State Taekwondo Association Assistant District Director & Secretary General
  • Former Peruvian National Taekwondo Team Member | Fin Weight Category
  • Pan-American, South American, and Bolivarian Medals in 1996, 1997, and 1998
  • Competed at the 13th World Taekwondo Championship in Hong Kong
  • Competed at the 14th World Taekwondo Championship in Edmonton, Canada
  • Top Ranked International Tae Kwon Do Athlete | 19th Fin Weight Category
  • Texas Business Hall of Fame Scholar for Engineering 2019
  • Master of Science in Civil Engineering | Ph.D. (ABD) Civil Engineering (UTA)
  • Aviation Industry Program Manager & Engineer

Grandmaster Gamarra in front of the Kukkiwon Logo in South Korea.

Master Jean C. Gamarra visits Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (2019).

Assistant Instructor, Referee, AAU Athlete

LIESEL GAMARRA, 3RD DAN

  • 3rd Dan Black Belt | Kukkiwon 
  • USAT Certified Referee
  • AAU Certified Referee 
  • HPITKD Poomsae Coach
  • Daughter of Master Jean C. Gamarra
  • 2020 AAU Southwest Regional Championship, Silver and Gold Medalist
  • 2020 AAU Nationals, Silver and Gold Medalist
  • 2022 AAU Southwest Regional Championship, Gold and Bronze Medalist
  • 2023-2024 AAU Taekwondo Oklahoma State Championships, Poomsae Gold Medalist
  • 2023-2024 AAU Taekwondo Nationals, Poomsae Bronze Medalist.
  • 2023 AAU Taekwondo Varsity Member.
  • Started her career in Taekwondo at the age of 2 in Lima, Peru.
  • High School Class of 2023 (Seton)
  • Murray State College Student (Occupational Therapy Assistant Studies)
  • Instructor Liesel is fluent in Spanish, and has formal studies in Russian and Korean.

HPITKD INSTRUCTOR, LIESEL, IN FRONT OF DEVIL'S TOWER, WY

Liesel Gamarra does a side kick in front of Devil's Tower in Wyoming (2020).

Volunteer Administrator & Referee

RACHEL GAMARRA, 1ST DAN, M.A., Ph.D. (ABD)

  • 1st Dan Kukkiwon Black Belt (2003; Orlando, FL).
  • HPITKD Administrator, Assistant Instructor, and Co-Founder
  • AAU Certified Referee (2023).
  • Wife of Master Jean C. Gamarra.
  • 20+ years of teaching & instructional experience.
  • Began training in Taekwondo in 1997.
  • Started as a volunteer & then paid Assistant Instructor in Taekwondo in Central Florida (2001).
  • Trained in Kendo (Gumdo) in Central Florida (2006-2007). 
  • Former Programming Specialist for a Public Library in North Texas.
  • Former Middle School & Community College Spanish Teacher in Texas.
  • Former ESL/EFL Teacher (USA, Peru & Remote students in China).
  • Home School Teacher since 2011.
  • B.A. Spanish (University of Texas at Arlington).
  • B.A. Certificate in Spanish Translation (University of Texas at Arlington).
  • M.A. Modern Languages (2016; University of Texas at Arlington).
  • Ph.D. Studies in Spanish Literature, & Ph.D. Minor in Applied Linguistics (2016-2020; Texas Tech University).

2023 AAU Nationals Rachel

Mrs. Gamarra volunteers as a referee at the 2023 AAU Taekwondo Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Lead Instructor, Assistant Coach, AAU Athlete

CORY SHIPPEN, 2ND DAN

  • 2nd Dan Black Belt | Kukkiwon
  • HPITKD Assistant Instructor & Assistant Coach
  • Lead Instructor for HPITKD North Texas
  • For class schedule and tuition information, contact Instructor Cory here! (North Texas Inquiries Only!)

HPITKD TEXAS

North Texas Instructor, Cory Shippen, with HPITKD Texas Students.

Master Instructor in Milan, Italy

MASTER ERLO GAMARRA, 4TH DAN, B.S.

  • 4th Dan Black Belt | Kukkiwon
  • Lead Master Instructor (Milan, Italy)
  • B.S. Agrarian Science (University of Milan)
  • 30+ Years Training in Taekwondo
  • Certified International Master Instructor (Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Academy)
  • Certified Self Defense Master (Kukkiwon)
  • Former Peruvian National Taekwondo Team Member (Fin)
  • Named Best Taekwondo Fighter of the Year (Peru, 1999)
  • Participated in the South America Cup in Bolivia.
  • Per informazioni sui corsi di Taekwondo a Milano, si prega di inviare un'e-mail all'istruttore Gamarra.
  • Visita la nostra pagina Facebook

HPITKD Instructors at the Kukkiwon International Seminar in Chicago, IL.

Master Erlo Gamarra in Chicago, Illinois

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The High Performance Institute of Taekwondo

70 Blackberry Street, Lone Grove, OK, 73443

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