OUR PROGRAMS
Our 3-5 year old class is fun and exciting! Our kids learn and earn skill stripes in discipline, balance, memory, teamwork, control, coordination, focus, and fitness. The children have fun learn taekwondo as they have fun working through our curriculum and earning the next stripe!
3 - 5 YEAR OLD CLASS
6 - 8 YEAR OLD CLASS
Our 6-8 year old class provides the foundation and not only teaches the kids martial arts in a disciplined environment but also allows the kids to be kids and have fun while learning. The lesson plans are thoughtfully planned out and are age appropriate. We focus on the technical aspect of Taekwondo and teach the proper technique with individualized focus on each student. We believe that it is important to have "mat chats" with the children and discuss issues such as bullying and any other issues that the students have in an informal open forum.
9 - 12 YEAR OLD CLASS
OUR INSTRUCTORS
HEAD INSTRUCTOR
GRANDMASTER CHARLES BALIEU, Owner
Owner and Founder of Moke’s Martial Arts – January 2018
Current Rank: Black Belt – 7th Degree
Current Instructor: Grandmaster Erich Wilson – 9th Degree
Former member of Professional Karate Commission
Former member of Society of Martial Arts Alliance
Former member of Pennsylvania Karate Ratings Association
Former Instructor: Grandmaster Mickey Forte – 7th Degree
Former Dojang: BCAC Academy of Taekwondo From 1989 – November 2017
BIO
Master Chuck Balieu grew up in Stockdale, PA and has an extensive background in wrestling as well as over 36 years of Taekwondo experience. He studied a non-traditional form of Taekwondo from 1989 to 2017 at the BCAC Academy of Taekwondo under the instruction of Master Mickey Forte (7th Dan).
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Master Balieu left BCAC Academy of Taekwondo in December 2017 and met with three former Black Belts from BCAC to discuss his vision of opening his own school. These three (Master Bruce Smith, Master Kerrie Morris, and Master Todd Crouch) became co-founders of Moke’s Martial Arts and are integral to the success of our school.
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Master Balieu has always been dedicated to learning all aspects of the martial arts and has always been passionate about sharing his knowledge and enriching the lives of his students.
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Taekwondo changed his life in many ways and he is dedicated to doing the same for each of his students. He believes in building character in today’s youth and teaching them the 5 tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
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Master Balieu has competed in hundred's of tournaments for over 20 years before being forced to retire due to a serious back injury requiring two surgeries and ultimately a spinal fusion.
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Despite his physical limitations, (Lumbar Spinal Fusion from L3 to S1 and Cervical Spinal Fusion at C5/C6) he continues to train to increase his level of proficiency in the art under the instruction of Grandmaster Erich Wilson.
In 2019, during a two day seminar called “Pittsburgh Painfest” he was recognized by several Grandmasters from across the United States and awarded his 6th Dan.
In October 2025, he was promoted to Grandmaster, 7th Dan, by Grandmasters Paul Olbeter and Erich Wilson.
Master Balieu has a degree in Accounting and as well as an MBA. He is a business consultant for a software company and implements/trains clients on accounting software.
Master Balieu continues to train and you will always find him on the mats with his students.
SENIOR INSTRUCTORS
MASTER BRUCE SMITH (Retired)
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Taekwondo Information
Senior Instructor and Co-founder of Moke’s Martial Arts -January 2018
Current Rank: Black Belt - 6th Degree
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Current Instructor: Grandmaster Charles Balieu – 7th Degree
Organization: Asian American Martial Arts Alliance
Former Instructor: Grandmaster Mickey Forte – 7th Degree
Former Dojang: BCAC Academy of Taekwondo from
2000-2018
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2008 UMAF Hall of Fame Inductee
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2008 UMAF “Instructor of the Year”
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2007 SOMA Hall of Fame Inductee
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SOMA Official
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Kumite International Referee
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2 time PKC State Runner-Up / 35 & over Men’s Sparring
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BIO
Master Bruce Smith grew up in Charleroi and has over 27 years martial arts experience. He formally studied under Master Mickey Forte and left BCAC to help to form Moke’s Martial Arts. Master Smith is an integral part of our team, focusing on the adult class.
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When asked who his favorite martial artist is Master Smith will proudly tell you that it is Jennifer Smith, his daughter.
Jennifer is a 2x World Champion fighter and won the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic two years in a row beating a girl from Kazakhstam, Russia in the final fight to win the championship.
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In addition to martial arts, Master Smith is a Public Safety Diver - Master Diver, as well as the Commander of the Mon Valley Divers Rescue SAR. He is also an Assistant Scuba Instructor, a certified NRA Firearms Instructor, as well as a Local Public Official.
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Master Smith currently serves as the Facilities Director for the Mon Valley YMCA.
MASTER KERRIE MORRIS
Taekwondo Information
Senior Instructor and Co-founder of Moke’s Martial Arts -January 2018
Current Rank: Black Belt - 5th Degree
Current Instructor: Grandmaster Charles Balieu – 7th Degree
Organization: Asian American Martial Arts Alliance
Former Instructor: Grandmaster Mickey Forte – 7th Degree
Former Dojang: BCAC Academy of Taekwondo
from 2000-2018
Former member of Professional Karate Commission
Former Executive Women’s Black Belt State Champion
Former Executive Women’s Black Belt National Champion
Former member of Society of Martial Arts Alliance
Former female competitor of the year
Former member of Pennsylvania Karate Ratings Association
BIO
Master Kerrie Morris grew up in Finleyville, PA and has an extensive background in athletics and over 21 years in martial arts. She formally studied under Master Mickey Forte from 2000-2018. She left BCAC to help to form Moke’s Martial Arts in Charleroi in PA.
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Master Kerrie competed in point sparring tournaments all over the country for 20 years earning multiple championships of various levels, including National Champion. She retired from competition when her son began to compete in order to focus on him and his progress in Martial Arts.
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Although her love for tournaments has not faded, her role has now moved onto judge, coach, instructor and mom.
While at her current dojang Master Kerrie focuses on general classes and sparring class.
As lead instructor for the 3-5-year-old class she works with our students to build a foundation of martial arts skills and terminology, as well as have some fun. Her personal training continues under Master Charles Balieu and Grandmaster Erich Wilson.
INSTRUCTORS
MASTER JAKE McCALL
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Taekwondo Information
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Current Rank: Black Belt - 4rd Degree
Current Instructors:
Grandmaster Erich Wilson - 9th Degree
Grandmaster Charles Balieu – 7th Degree
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Organization: Asian American Martial Arts Alliance
Former Instructors:
Grandmaster Mickey Forte – 7th Degree
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Former Dojangs:
BCAC Academy of Taekwondo
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BIO
Sensei Jake McCall is from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania and been training in martial arts since he was in preschool. He has trained under many instructors such as the late Master Mickey Forte, and Grandmaster Dan Obusek. He currently trains under Grandmaster Erich Wilson and Master Chuck Balieu. Jake has training in ITF and WT styles of Taekwondo (4th Dan) Hapkido (1st Dan) and Judo. He is also an accomplished tournament fighter, having competed in state and regional tournaments. Jake has taught the adult classes and is currently the instructor of the Hapkido program.
Jake believes that each individual has their own strengths and abilities and adapts instruction to what best fits the group but is still challenging enough to promote growth. Jake incorporates his training in his various styles to create a holistic martial arts program.
BRAD PODROSKEY
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Taekwondo Information
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Current Rank: Black Belt - 2nd Degree
Current Instructor: Grandmaster Charles Balieu – 7th Degree
Organization: Asian American Martial Arts Alliance
Former Instructor: Grandmaster Mickey Forte – 7th Degree
Former Dojang: BCAC Academy of Taekwondo
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BIO
Sensei Brad was born and raised in the Mon Valley. As a youth, he began his taekwondo journey under the guidance of Grandmaster Mickey Forte and Master Charles Balieu.
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Brad’s path was the one less travelled. After a 20-year layoff, his training began anew, fueled by the inspiration of his son, Michael, who is also a student and Junior Instructor.
Brad earned his black belt at the age of 39. He has since endeavored to exemplify the principles of taekwondo and impart those ideals to our students.
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Forever a student of martial arts, Sensei Brad is driven by his pursuit of knowledge.
His greatest challenge, and greatest joy, is opening the door for others.
Bachelor of Arts, professional drafting specialist, husband, and father of two, Brad
approaches every day, every lesson, and every class with sincere gratitude to have
found a home for him and his family at Moke’s Martial Arts.
SCOTT THOMPSON
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Taekwondo Information
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Current Rank: Black Belt - 2nd Degree
Current Instructor: Master Charles Balieu – 7th Degree
Organization: Asian American Martial Arts Alliance
Former Instructor: Master Brain Ward - 5th Degree
Tang Soo Do
Former Dojang: Pittsburgh Martial Arts - Washington
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Sensei Scott was born and raised in Scenery Hill, PA. He joined the Air Force straight out of
high school and spent the next 30 years as a jet engine technician and quality assurance
specialist, finally retiring in 2014. He is now employed as a quality assurance specialist for the
federal government.
He started his journey of studying martial arts at the age of 23. He spent 29 years learning
western martial arts, honing skills with broadsword, rapier, and staff weapons. At the age of 48
he switched focus to the eastern arts and began studying Tang Soo Do when his six-year-old
daughter started taking classes. He earned his black belt at the age of 53. In 2021 his path
would lead him to change styles after his school unexpectedly had to close. Searching for a
school with a similar mindset and approach to martial arts he found a new home at Moke's
Martial Arts where he is an instructor for the adult classes.
His focus is body mechanics and the use of correct technique to efficiently perform effective
movements that are valid in the real world (Martial Truth). The small details matter.
He is a husband, and father of two teen age daughters (both Black Belts and assistant
instructors). “You're never too old to learn something new.”