Bakers Martial Arts Instructors

Julius Baker - Director and Head Instructor

mrbaker@bakersmartialarts.com

Master Instructor Julius Baker Jr. (7th Degree)
Julius Baker began his Tae Kwon Do training in 1969 under Master Byong Yu and Master Ken Youn in Berkeley CA. After receiving his Black Belt, Mr. Baker began teaching at the Young Adult Project (YAP), a Model Cities program for inner city youth in 1973. He taught at the YAP for seven years until founding BAKER'S MARTIAL ARTS in 1980. Originally based in Berkeley, the studio was moved to this Oakland location in 1998. In addition to his over thirty years of Tae Kwon Do training, Mr. Baker has also studied Aikido, Escrima, Judo and Capoeira . Mr. Baker began study in Tai Chi with Master Instructor Lenzie J. Williams in 1999, and he continues his intensive personal practice.

Mr. Baker grew up in Berkeley. After an honorable discharge from the US Navy, he went on to receive his BA and then Masters Degree in Health Science at San Francisco State University. After receiving his degree he taught Physical and Health Education at college level.

Mr. Baker has over thirty years experience working with children. In addition to teaching martial arts to kids, he has worked as a pre-school teacher, physical education instructor and teaching assistant in several elementary schools, and as a counselor for the Alameda County Juvenile Probation Department.

Jamal Baker - Black Belt - 3rd degree

Mr. Jamal Baker began studying Tae Kwon Do at the age of 5. He received his Black Belt at the age of 12 in 1994. Also an accomplished ice hockey player, he competed on several elite leagues throughout the US and Canada from 1998-2001. He is currently attending Diablo Valley College and is majoring in psychology. Jamal teaches adult classes, however teaching children is his specialty. On his days off from the studio he is an after school program teacher at one local private elementary/middle school (Archway) and runs an outreach after school Tae Kwon Do program at another (Park Day).

John Torres - Black Belt - 3rd Degree

Mr. Torres began his training in Tae Kwon Do in 1989 with Mr. Baker while attending Laney College where Mr. Baker was teaching. From there, he joined the studio and earned his Black Belt in 1994. Mr. Torres started teaching Tae Kwon Do at Baker's Martial Arts in 1995 and has continued to do so until the present day. He continues to train, earning his 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2001. Mr. Torres is also a family man, as his wife Nicole (also a Tae Kwon Do student) gave birth to their baby girl in 2003. Through careful planning and an understanding wife, he has struck a balance in his life achieving equilibrium in work, home and Tae Kwon Do.

Jamiko Allen-Hercules - Black Belt - 3rd Degree

Jamiko Allen-Hercules began training with Mr. Baker in 1987 at the age of nine. He earned his Black Belt at the age of fifteen. Jamiko has been teaching both children and adults for the past ten years at Baker's. His warm and nurturing personality comes through in his teaching style which is appreciated by adults and makes him an exceptional children's instructor. He currently teaches cardio kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do and is studying Yoga and Tai Chi. While not training, Jamiko enjoys building model cars, skateboarding, and singing.

Merlin Conyers - Black Belt - 5th Degree

Mr. Conyers earned his Black Belt in 1980 and has steadfastly been teaching the morning classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday since 1980 when the doors of Baker's Martial Arts first opened. He is a hard core Oakland Raiders fan.

Andre Amacker - Black Belt - 5th Degree

Mr. Amacker began his Tae Kwon Do training with Mr. Baker at Laney College in 1982. After a semester at Laney, he joined the studio, receiving his Black Belt in 1985. Before Tae Kwon Do, Mr. Amacker wrestled for the US Navy. He qualified for and competed at the 1980 Olympic Trials. Mr. Amacker presides over the Sunday sparring program and maintains a wide network of martial arts contacts.

Joseph Lopez - Black Belt - 3rd Degree

Joseph Lopez is currently a third degree Black Belt who began training with Mr. Baker in 1986 at the age of seven. Having earned his Black Belt in 1991, he began teaching classes regularly at the age of 15 and became the head of the children's program and the studio's program director in 1996. From 1996 to 2000, Joseph trained consistently in Tae Kwon Do and intermittently in Judo, while attending Merritt Junior College and teaching salsa dancing at various dance and athletic clubs in San Francisco. In the fall of 2000, when he began attending the University of California at Berkeley, Joseph left his regular teaching position at the studio but remained as a student and a substitute teacher. He graduated from the university with a degree in English Literature in 2003. As of 2004, Joseph continues his role as student and guest teacher at the studio and has a full time job at a lumber yard in Albany, CA.

Dave MacDonald - Black Belt - 1st Degree

David MacDonald started training at Baker's Martial Arts in 1998 and immediately fell in love with Tae Kwon Do. While training as a Red Belt, David began teaching cardio kick boxing in addition to regular training and in 2002, David was promoted to Black Belt. David has been working with children's classes since he started teaching shortly after receiving his black belt. David teaches children's and adult classes in addition to his ongoing training in both Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi.

Patrick Tran - Black Belt - 1st Degree Assistant Instructor

Patrick Tran is 15 years old and wears a junior Black Belt, earned in 2003. Mr. Tran has been training for over four years and has a great thirst for knowledge in Martial Arts. Mr. Tran has two siblings, an older sister and younger brother who both earned their Black Belts. He is an assistant instructor in the Children's program. Patrick attends Piedmont High School as a sophomore. Some of his other hobbies include playing the guitar, Martial Arts, break dancing, running, Martial Arts, swimming, and did we mention Martial Arts? Mr. Tran loves Tae Kwon Do, and quotes "To challenge the body is to challenge the mind." He hopes to see you in class.

Ari Ben-Avram - Black Belt - 2nd Degree Assistant Instructor

Ari Ben-Avram is 16 years old and wears a junior Black Belt. He has trained consistently for over eleven years. Mr. Ben Avram has this to say about his Martial Arts experience: "I started training right after my 5th birthday, and although I was a slow learner and without a clue in the world, the benefits of Tae Kwon Do soon became evident. It has helped me in my basketball career, in school, and with my general attitude towards life. I can't imagine my life without Tae Kwon Do."

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