Thomas Howard started martial arts in 1988, briefly attending Taekwondo classes in Lincoln Nebraska in the Chung Do Kwan lineage. In 1992, he moved to Denver to attend graduate school, and met Grandmaster Larry Hampton , who taught Hapkido and Jidokwan Taekwondo. Instantly becoming hooked, he went to every class he could. He achieved his first dan in Hapkido in 1995, and his second dan in 1997, along with his first dan in Taekwondo. He then moved back to Lincoln, Nebraska and started a Hapkido class for the city of Lincoln in association with the Irving Community Center. After about three years he moved to a different location, and taught Hapkido classes in association with the Northeast Family Center. In 2005, he began teaching classes in Plattsmouth, Nebraska in association with LifeArts - Howard Chiropractic, PC - where he currently teaches classes four evenings per week. He received his third dan in Hapkido from Grandmaster Hampton in 2002, and his fourth dan in 2006. .
His past history includes wrestling, Chi Tai Lung Gung Fu (which he enjoyed immensely, but simply didn't have the time to continue studying---at some future point in time, he would like to continue his study of that complex art), a bit of Aikido, and Judo while at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sabumnim Howard has given numerous demonstrations, taught self-defense courses and seminars, Taekwondo classes for the Valparaiso after-school program, and Hapkido classes in Nebraska since 1997. He is also a Reiki 3rd Level Master/Teacher.
Sabumnim currently teaches Hapkido, Taekwondo, Eagle System, and Women's Self-Defense classes at the Nebraska Hapkido Association school. For further information, please click here to be directed to the Nebraska Hapkido Association website.
