Agape Black Belt Center
Instructors
Agape Black Belt Center’s vision is to establish ourselves in our local community as a valued place of instruction, not only in martial arts but in life. We believe that a strong and balanced physical foundation can help foster psychological, emotional, and spiritual health as well, which are just as, if not more, important to a person’s overall well-being.
Master John Ra’s Biographical Sketch
Beginnings
Master John Ra began his martial arts training at the age of eleven in Los Angeles, California. Throughout his school years, Master Ra competed in local Taekwondo tournaments, the California State Championships, and received medals in numerous national and international Taekwondo tournaments including Collegiate Nationals. Master Ra attended Yong-In University, receiving a degree in Judo and Physical Education, one of the top martial arts institutions in the world and where the best of the best in Korea go for their training.
He was on the Yong-In University Judo Demonstration Team and was an assistant to Professor Byun-Gum Ahn, the 1984 Olympic Judo Gold Medalist.
Instruction
Master John Ra completed his studies at Yong-In University and returned to Los Angeles in 1998, where he became an instructor at Dae-Myung Judo Taekwondo Academy in Glendale, California, under Grandmaster Jae-Ho Park.
In 2006, Master Ra and his family relocated to Rochester, New York, and established Agape Martial Arts. He has since taught hundreds of enthusiastic students and has become one of the area’s most recognized and visible martial arts experts. In 2014, the academy was rebranded as Agape Black Belt Center, and in the summer of 2015, it moved to Monroe Ave. in Pittsford/Brighton, New York.
With over 30 years of martial arts experience, Master Ra oversees day-to-day operations at Agape Black Belt Center, instructs, and conducts seminars and demonstrations around the Rochester area. He holds a 7th degree in Hapkido, a 6th degree in Taekwondo, and a 5th degree in Judo.
Master Ra and his wife Joanna have three children—Hailey, Luke, and Matthew—all of whom are highly dedicated instructors. They are focused on training additional instructors for the center and will represent the USA in Poomsae at the 2024 World Poomsae Championship in Hong Kong this November. Recently, the Ra family has expanded their efforts to the AAPI community, focusing on bringing people together through cultural events. They initiated the first Asian Festival, which was met with a tremendous response from the Rochester and upstate NY communities, and continue to serve the community through these endeavors.
Agape Black Belt Center
Instructors
Chief Master
Master John Ra
Grand Master John Ra (7th Dan Hapkido, 6th Dan Taekwondo, 5th Dan Judo) has been immersed in martial arts since 1984. He earned a degree in Judo and Physical Education from the prestigious Yong In University of Martial Arts in Yongin, South Korea. Throughout his career, he has competed and medaled in numerous national and international Taekwondo tournaments, including Collegiate Nationals. With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Grand Master Ra oversees the day-to-day operations at Agape Black Belt Center and leads seminars and demonstrations across the Rochester area. He is deeply passionate about guiding his students in developing their life skills, with a strong emphasis on both technique and character.
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Self Defense Instructor
Bill Bendschneider
Beginning with an interest in Asian culture, Bill Bendschneider (2nd Dan Kuk Sool Won) began studying traditional Korean martial arts in the mid-1980s. His love of martial arts has extended to training in Aikido and Kali and most recently Tae Kwon Do/Hapkido under Master Ra. He has found the quality of instruction at Agape Black Belt Center to be unsurpassed and is inspired by the dedication of this martial arts family. As an educator (International Baccalaureate Psychology & Theory of Knowledge, Finger Lakes Community College Introduction to Psychology & Sociology, and World History), he particularly appreciates the attention to character development at ABBC and the solid grounding in positive virtues which are at the heart of the center’s programs.
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Taekwondo Instructor
Hailey Ra
Master Hailey Ra is a 4th-degree black belt who has been dedicated to taekwondo since the age of five. Over the years, she has achieved numerous state titles and has risen to become a top national competitor in Poomsae. Hailey’s excellence in forms, leadership, and overall achievement has earned her widespread recognition. She demonstrates great leadership by leading by example, and between 2018 and 2024, she proudly represented the Poomsae team. Currently, she holds state championship titles in three states and is a nationally ranked athlete.
In 2018, Hailey competed in the Canada Open Taekwondo Championships, where she dominated all Junior Poomsae divisions and was honored as the female Poomsae MVP. In 2024, she was a member of Team USA in freestyle pair alongside Master Matthew Ra in Brazil, where they won a bronze medal. Hailey is also a graduate of Baruch College and was distinguished as one of the 50 alumni in 50 years for CUNY—a testament to her outstanding contributions both in and out of the taekwondo arena.
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Taekwondo Jr. Instructor
Luke Ra
Master Luke Ra is a 4th-degree black belt who began studying Taekwondo in 2007. At the academy, he teaches every day with great enthusiasm, being highly effective with both students and parents. Known for his deep love for Taekwondo and Judo, he is also a strong supporter of his siblings in their world-class competition. Luke is passionate about his role and is fully engaged in managing the day-to-day program and special events at the academy. Outside of his teaching, he enjoys spending time with friends, playing basketball, and drawing. He has earned numerous medals in local and regional competitions over the years.
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Taekwondo Instructor
Matthew Ra
Master Matthew Ra currently holds a 4th-degree black belt and has been dedicated to studying taekwondo since 2007. Throughout his years of training, Matthew has competed in numerous local, state, and national competitions. He is a determined sparring athlete and a member of the Freestyle USA Team for 2024, where he won a bronze medal in the Pan American Championship held in Brazil. Outside of taekwondo, Matthew enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his friends and family. He teaches every day and is deeply passionate about the discipline of Taekwondo and Judo.
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Program Director
Joanna Ra
Mrs. Joanna Ra has extensive experience working with and providing care for multi-age children and has been the director for over 10 years. She oversees the daily operations of the school programs and serves as the liaison between parents and students. Mrs. Ra is dedicated to providing each child with quality, personalized care, and she works closely with the staff to ensure a safe, disciplined, nurturing, and fun environment for the students. She is passionate about community action and building great social and respectful communication skills for the younger generation. In addition to her administrative role, Mrs. Ra has been practicing Taekwondo for over 17 years and holds a 3rd-degree black belt.
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