Staff Profiles

Crystal Dragon's Taekwondo

Staff Profiles

Christine K. Russell is a 4th Degree Black Belt with the American Taekwondo Association. She has trained since 1991 and has been a certified Instructor and school owner since 1994. She is also Regional Chief of Publications for Region 111. Mrs. Russell is certified in Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention, Weapons, Pressure Point and joint Lock techniques and Olympic sparring. She was in the Top Ten in the World in 1999, 2003 State Champ in Sparring, National Trainee of the year, Most supportive parent and Family for region 111 and most outstanding black belt. Mrs. Russell was Raised in Swansboro, NC so Crystal Dragon's is locally owned and operated. She is a mother of seven and grandmother of 8.

Jonathan L. Cruz 3BD Certified Trainee

Jonathan L. Kozma Cruz has trained since he was 4 years old. He is now a 3rd Degree Black Belt and certified Trainee. He is presently going to Swansboro High School. He is the youngest son of Mrs. Russell, so he has grown up in a family of Black Belts. His Weapon of choice is the long staff. He also competes and trains in XMA.

Tony Mulero 3BD Trainee

Antonio Mulero is a Third Degree Black Belt and Instructor Trainee. He has grown up in a family of Black Belts. He is the first grand son of Mrs. Russell. He has trained since he was 5 years old. Mr. Mulero is a State Champ in Sparring and Forms competition. He presently attends Swansboro Middle School. His other activities include Football, band, track and he was in the junior leadership program since he was 9 years old. He plans to become a certified instructor with a school of his own.

Mr. Michael Brandon Cruz 2nd BB

Mr. Michael Brandon Cruz is The Chief Instructor for the XMA program and a 2nd degree Black Belt who has trained in martial arts since he was 5 years old. His former instructor was Anthony Wilburn who saw the talent and help direct his training real weapons. Mr. Cruz excels in his abilities to not only teach XMA but to also compete in and place in competition. He is one of Mrs. Russell's sons who share her love for the arts and helps teach taekwondo. Mr. Cruz has excelled in many ATA tournaments but has also competed in open tournaments and also in state games in Olympic style Taekwondo. He has always been one of the lead members of any demo team that the school has produced. He is the 2008 State Champ in XMA. He is also a Grand Champion Fighter.

Mr. Joshua Price is a 2nd degree black belt, and an Instructor. He has trained in the martial arts since he was 12 years old. He is now 16. He attends White Oak High School. Mr. Price is active in XMA and competes in forms, sparring, and weapons. Mr. Price is also a leader in the Boy Scouts of America.

Not pictured are Mr. Dexter White, Carlos Stallings, Mary Stallings, Elosia Bolfango, and Mrs. Carol Craw.