About Us

Northeast Martial Arts Center is a diverse school, committed to helping its students achieve their fitness, confidence and self-protection goals. Our programs have something to offer men, women and children of all ages and abilities. Our Olympic safety-matted school focuses on the arts of Taekwon-Do, Defensive Hapkido and Tai Chi, and offers diverse Enrichment Seminars in many other arts, including Kosho-Ryu Kenpo, Modern Jujitsu, XMA (TM), and Kung-Fu.

A specialized junior’s curriculum, developed by our Head Instructor, Master Garlin, aims to facilitate the growth of all children, including the special learning needs of those who are diagnosed with having ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, and the Hearing Impaired. Our Family-oriented school and unique class structure attracts students from ages 3 to 65 and over!

Our experienced staff consists of Black Belts who hold the Master Rank of 4th degree or higher! Each instructor maintains their status by continuing to train and learn under the supervision of Grandmaster Frank Noguera, one of the area’s most experienced, and highest ranking Martial Artists! All of our instructors are required to receive CPR certification, as well as training in ASL (American Sign Language).

Our History

North East Tae Kwon Do of Colonie was founded in 1988 by Frank Noguera in Latham, NY. The school was part of a local three-school network which shared the same name, where many of our current students began their path to becoming champion martial artists as well as successful individuals.

At the same time, an eight-year-old Mr. Garlin began his Taekwon-Do training at the North East Tae Kwon Do School in Guilderland. It was because of this network that Master Noguera and Mr. Garlin came to know and befriend each other.

The school relocated in 1997 to Central Avenue, in the heart of the Capital District. There, it grew to become a strong pillar for the public as well as the Martial Arts community. It was then that Master Noguera achieved a monumental goal in the world of Martial Arts, by breaking down cultural barriers and building strong connections between other local Taekwon-Do schools and schools that specialized in other arts, inviting instructors into his school and expose his students to other aspects of living the Martial Way!

In 2005, Master Noguera began the process of transferring his school to his soon-to be successor, Mr. Garlin. In October, a council of ten Taekwon-Do master black belts unanimously approved and promoted Master Noguera to 7th degree black belt in Taekwon-Do, and the title Grandmaster. One month later, Mr. Garlin tested and promoted to 4th degree black belt, earning the title of Master Instructor.

As of January 2007, Grandmaster Noguera passed the title of Head Instructor to Master Garlin, and renamed the school Northeast Martial Arts Center, to reflect the school’s mission to provide diverse instruction to everyone.

Northeast Martial Arts Center hopes to continue honoring and upholding Grandmaster Noguera’s legacy of quality Martial Arts instruction, and open generosity in the entire community.