Our Instructors

Mr. Kent Graziano is a 7th Degree Black Belt and the Master Instructor for Rocky Mountain Tae Kwon Do. He is responsible for over seeing all training and certification programs. His experience teaching in the Denver area includes the University of Denver, the Arapahoe Community College, the City of Englewood Recreation Department, 24 Hour Nautilus, CU Medical Center, City of Denver and Lakewood Parks and Recreation, and the Korean School of Colorado. Previous to Club USA, he taught the TKD class at Lakewood Athletic Club for over 14 years. Senior Master Graziano has been practicing and teaching Tae Kwon Do and self-defense for over 35 years.

Senior Master Graziano first studied under Grand Master Ra in 1981 while attending the University of Denver. He is one of only six people to reach 4th degree black belt under GM Ra. In September of 2003, Mr. Graziano became the first to attain "master" level (5th degree) in GM Ra's system. In November of 2009 he achieved another first when he tested and was promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt. In November 2014, he achieved yet another milestone when he was promoted to 7th Degree (Dan) Black Belt and given the title Senior Master by Grandmaster John Pellegrini, Founder of the Independent Taekwondo Associatioan (ITA),

In addition to Tae Kwon Do, Senior Master Graziano has trained in Judo and Aikido (while living in Japan), Escrima, Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT), PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense, Chi Gung, and in several forms of Tai Chi Chuan. Senior Master Graziano continues to train and learn new martial arts. In 2010 he officially added Combat Hapkido to his martial arts resume having acheived the beginning level of Orange Belt under the direction of Master Steve Materkowski ( http://ichfcolorado.com/ ) .

Senior Master Graziano currently lives in Houston, Texas but returns to Colorado several times a year to conduct seminars and belt promotions. You may contact him via e-mail at Kent@rmtkd.net for more information about the RMTKD program, to schedule him for a seminar, or ask any other martial arts questions you may have. As of 2012, He can also be found blogging about computer-related stuff (his "day" job), fitness, and self-defense over at The Data Warrior.

RMTKD Chief Instructor:

Mr. Gary Smith

Master Smith is the Chief Instructor for Rocky Mountain Tae Kwon Do in Colorado. In October 2008, he became the second person to be promoted to a 5th Degree Black Belt in the organization. Master Smith has been practicing Tae Kwon Do for over 30 years under the instruction of Master Graziano. He is a licensed Senior Instructor by the Independent Tae Kwon Do Association (ITA).

Master Smith has been the primary assistant instructor to Master Graziano for over 20 years and is a branch instructor in his own right. His teaching experience includes the University of Denver Tae Kwon Do Club, the Arapahoe Community College TKD Club, the Korean School of Colorado, as well as the Lakewood Athletic Club.

Master Smith is also trained in PPCT and PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense. He is a two-time champion of the Kumite-in-the-Park, a "no pads" open martial arts sparring event. In addition, he trained in Kempo and Kyokushinkai Karate in the Los Angeles area prior to beginning Tae Kwon Do in Denver. He is currently training to be an instructor in Combat Hapkido as well where he holds the rank of Red Belt.

In 1990, Master Smith was the winner of the black belt division of the 1st Annual Kumite in the Park. In 1991, he was voted the 'Outstanding Male Competitor' at the 2nd Annual Kumite in the Park. In addition he has consistently placed 1st or 2nd in both sparring and pattern competitions at Rocky Mountain TKD's tournaments since he began training.

Master Smith is now the Chief Instructor for RMTKD and currently runs branch programs at the Club USA and at St. Anne's Episcopal School. He accepts students ages 8 and up for his classes at Club USA. New students are welcome to start at any time.

You can contact Master Smith directly at gary.smith@rmtkd.net .

RMTKD Branch Instructor:

Ms. Caer Takano (Daly)

(1976 - 2010)

All of RMTKD is deeply saddened by the loss of our good friend Ms.Takano. She was a highly respected instructor, mentor and role model to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

Ms. Daly was a 4th Degree Black Belt and branch instructor for Rocky Mountain Tae Kwon Do. She trained with Master Graziano and Master Smith for over 15 years and was only the 2nd women to achieve the distinction of a 4th Dan when she tested in November 2009. In addition to helping Master Graziano and Master Smith, she also ran a very successful Tae Kwon Do class for the City of Englewood, Colorado. She was a licensed Senior Instructor by the Independent Taekwondo Association (ITA). In addition to her training in Tae Kwon Do, Ms. Takano was also pursuing training Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Combat Hapkido.

In 2011 at the annual Rocky Mountain Personal Protection Conference, Grandmaster John Pellegrini, founder of Combat Hapkido, awarded Ms.Takano an honorary 1st Degree Black Belt in CHKD. Her father, William Daly, accepted the memorial belt.