About

The Helena Martial Arts Academy

The Helena Karate and Judo Club is a martial arts school located in Helena, Montana. We offer classes in both karate and judo for students of all ages and skill levels. Our instructors are highly trained and experienced in their respective disciplines, and are dedicated to helping students achieve their goals and improve their physical and mental well-being.

Judo

A method of unarmed defense developed it Japan, which focuses on the use of throws, hold-downs and submissions

Taekwondo

A method of unarmed defense known for its dynamic kicking style which was developed in Korea

Karate

A method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons

Hapkido

A Korean martial art that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other striking attacks

History of the dojo

Brief HMAA History

For over four decades, Helena’s native Martial Arts Academy has provided world-class training in a clean and safe environment for the entire family. Serving all skill levels, beginners to experts.
Grand Master Dennis Dallas began his martial arts training in the fall of 1970 with Soon Il Choi at Rocky Mountain College in Billing, Montana. A few months later Grand Master Karlo Fugiwara took over the position at RMC after Soon Il Choi relocated. He continued his martial arts training with Grand Master Fugiwara for the next 10 years.
While attending RMC, Mr. Dallas had the unique opportunity to also train with Grand Master Jae Ho Park in Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Hapkido. Mr. Park, who was teaching Physical Education at Eastern Montana College (MSU Billings), was holding classes at the YMCA on alternate nights to Mr. Fugiwara’s classes. Mr. Dallas took advantage of the schedule to expand his martial arts knowledge.
At the beginning of 1980, Grand Master Dallas was selected to be part of the Montana State Tae Kwon Do team that would be competing at the US Nationals. In April of that year, he began preparation for the competition with Grand Master Shigeki Umemoto, whom Mr. Dallas had trained with intermittently over the pervious decade. Through his relationship with Grand Master Umemoto, he was presented with an opportunity to run a school; in the fall of 1982, Mr. Dallas was granted operation of the Toushi Kan Martial Arts Institute located in Helena under the direction of Grand Master Shigeki Umemoto, the arts founder.
Ten years later, Grand Master Dallas founded his own martial arts school, the Helena Karate & Judo Club in 1992.
Since then, Grand Master Dallas has passed on the knowledge of Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Hapkido and Toushi Kan Karate he had learned from his instructors, Grand Master Jae Ho Park, Grand Master Karlo Fujiwara, and Grand Master Shigeki Umemoto; which has empowered and enriched thousands of lives.

Grand Master Dallas retired from full-time teaching and passed the dojo to his apprentice Shihan Shem Wold in 2011. Helena Karate & Judo Club was then renamed Helena Martial Arts Academy.
The continuing vision of Helena Martial Arts Academy is to enrich and improve our students’ lives by striving to unify and balance the body, mind, and spirit of each unique individual through the teachings and practices of martial arts.

Mr. Hamilton began training in Karate and Hapkido with Mr. Dallas in 2005. During that time Mr. Hamilton received his black belt in Taekwondo from another martial arts academy. Mr. Hamilton began studying Jodo with Mr. Dallas in 2016. After Mr. Dallas moved, Mr. Hamilton began training under Master Shem Wold. with the retirement of Master Shem Wold, Mr. Hamilton now carries on the the philosophy mind, body and sprit unified and balanced.

INSTRUCTORS

Bio

Tracy Hamilton

Tracy began practicing martial arts in 2005 to spend time with his daughter learning not only self-defense, but also other life skills like focus and disciple. Over the past 18 years Tracy has attained a 1st degree black belt in Taekwondo, a 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido and a 3rd degree black belt in Karate. Tracy is currently a brown belt in Judo working towards black.

Over the past 18 years, Tracy has assisted martial arts instruction and has taught Hapkido. With a strong passion for martial arts, he demonstrates proper techniques and motivates students by developing confidence in their abilities.

Bio

Herb Byers

Herb Byers has trained in martial arts for well over 20 years. He began his training with Grand Master Dallas during Shihan Wold’s apprenticeship and has been a part of the Helena Martial Arts Academy since its inception. Prior to his current 30-year career in insurance risk management, Mr. Byers served with the United States Armed Forces. Being an avid outdoorsman, when Mr. Byers isn’t in the dojo, he can be found practicing his marksmanship or in the Montanan back country backpacking and hunting.