Business Details
22 Years
experience
United Kenpo Karate Academy - Albuquerque's Top Kenpo Karate School Since 2004
Since 2004, United Kenpo Karate Academy has been Albuquerque's premier destination for traditional American Kenpo Karate training. Founded under the mentorship of Grand Master Bill Packer, our academy upholds the core values of honesty, courtesy, respect, and discipline while fostering character development and self-defense skills for students of all ages. Our programs, including specialized youth curricula and family-friendly discounts, have consistently demonstrated measurable improvements in academic performance, confidence, and physical fitness. With a lineage tracing back to Great Grand Master Tomas Connor and Senior Grand Master Lee Sprague, we maintain rigorous technical standards while adapting our teaching methods to meet modern needs.Our certified black belt instructors, including 6th Degree Black Belt Kien Phan and 5th Degree Black Belt Timothy Ibarra, combine decades of experience with personalized instruction. We emphasize the eight ethical principles of Bushido - truth, bravery, courtesy, compassion, sincerity, discernment, loyalty, and faith - in both martial arts practice and daily life. Through community outreach initiatives and structured belt progression systems, we cultivate not just martial artists but responsible citizens who embody our motto of 'perpetuating the art with passion and integrity.'
Services
Little Dragon Program
Youth Karate
Junior & Adult Karate
Karate Fitness
Family Discount Rates
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- Certified black belt instructors with decades of combined experience
- Proven character development programs for children since 2004
- Family-friendly environment with special discount rates
- Flexible, self-paced training accommodating all fitness levels
- Community-focused martial arts instruction emphasizing ethical principles
What people say
Outstanding instructor
Great with kids
Real deal school
Improved confidence
Family environment
Services
Little Dragon Program
Structured karate training for children aged 4-6 develops foundational skills through engaging activities. Our curriculum builds physical coordination, focus, and respect while introducing basic self-defense techniques. This program establishes a strong foundation for future martial arts progression.
Youth Karate
Comprehensive martial arts instruction for ages 7-14 combines technical skill development with character building. Students learn structured self-defense while improving discipline, confidence, and physical fitness through age-appropriate training methods.
Junior & Adult Karate
Traditional Kenpo Karate training for ages 15+ focuses on practical self-defense techniques and technical mastery. Classes emphasize proper form, sparring applications, and belt progression while maintaining core martial arts principles.
Karate Fitness
Aerobic workouts based on karate movements improve cardiovascular health and physical conditioning. This program combines martial arts techniques with fitness training to enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance for all skill levels.
Family Discount Rates
Special pricing options make martial arts training accessible for entire families. Our discounted rates encourage family participation while promoting shared values of discipline, respect, and physical fitness through traditional karate instruction.
People
Kien Phan
Chief Instructor
6th Degree Black Belt with over 20 years of teaching experience, Kien Phan brings traditional Kenpo Karate expertise to our academy. He emphasizes character development alongside technical proficiency in his instruction.
Timothy Ibarra
Executive Director
5th Degree Black Belt Timothy Ibarra has led the academy since 2012. With extensive martial arts experience, he maintains the school's technical standards while overseeing daily operations and student development.
Olivia Bourne
Assistant Business Manager
4th Degree Black Belt Olivia Bourne combines administrative expertise with martial arts instruction. She contributes to both operational management and student training programs at the academy.
Courtney Bourne
Staff Instructor
4th Degree Black Belt Courtney Bourne delivers quality martial arts instruction while maintaining the academy's commitment to character development and technical excellence in every class.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We offer programs for children as young as 4 through adults of all ages, with specific classes for Little Dragons (4-6), Youth (7-14), and Junior/Adult (15+).
Do you offer family discounts?
Yes, we provide special family discount rates to make martial arts training accessible and affordable for entire families.
What should I wear for my first class?
New students can wear comfortable workout clothes. We provide loaner uniforms for initial classes before purchasing official academy gear.
How often should I attend classes?
We recommend attending 2-3 times weekly for optimal progress, though our flexible schedule allows students to train at their own pace.
What martial arts style do you teach?
We specialize in traditional American Kenpo Karate, a practical self-defense system emphasizing efficient techniques and real-world applications.
Are there testing requirements?
Yes, we have structured belt progression with regular testing opportunities to measure technical proficiency and character development.
