Shihan Joel & Sensei Yvonne Levy

In 1997 Joel, a lifetime martial artist, and Yvonne (both New Jersey State certified teachers) combined their love of teaching and their passion for martial arts and founded Family Martial Arts Academy in Highland Park, NJ.

In just 10 short years they turned FMAA from a part-time dojo into one of the top U.S. schools for martial arts, fitness and personal development “where everybody is somebody!”

FMAA is truly a family place, especially for Joel & Yvonne’s three children Rachel, Shoshana and Moshe. They, too, are dedicated students at FMAA.

Shihan Joel Levy, M. Ed
Owner/Exec. Director

• Grandmaster American Freestyle Karate
• 6th Degree Black Belt under Bill "Superfoot" Wallace
• NJ State Certified Teacher (ESL K-12, and Elementary K-8)
• USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Grandmaster of the Year
  • Kickboxing Grandmaster of the Year
  • Personal Safety Educator of the Year
  • Grandmaster of the Decade
  • Continuous Full Contact Karate Grandmaster of the Year, 2009
• Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame
  • Excellence in Teaching Martial Arts (2006)
  • Continuance of Excellence as a Goodwill Ambassador to the Martial Arts (2009)
• Tactical Master Instructor of CDT Non-Deadly Force Techniques
• Certified Executive Protection Specialist by International Training Commission
• Youth Development Specialist with National Council of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence of Middlesex County
• Certified Personal Safety Instructor
• Ph.D. of Martial Arts Philosophy and Science from the University of Asian Martial Arts Study, 2009

Sensei Yvonne Levy
Owner & Program Director

• 3rd Degree Black Belt, American Freestyle Karate
• 2nd Degree Black Belt under Bill "Superfoot" Wallace
• NJ State Certified Teacher, Early Childhood Specialist
• USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Female Martial Artist of the Year
  • Instructor of the Year - KinderKarate
  • Female Martial Arts Leader
• Certified in S.T.A.R. Program by Jefferson Center for Character Education
• Certified Personal Safety Instructor & Speaker
• Nutritional coach specializing in natural foods