Instructors

Lady Master Nicola Ford

6th Degree Black Belt

School Owner

Nicola Ford is the co-owner of ATA Martial Arts.  She holds a 6th Degree Black Belt and the title of Master Instructor.  Master Ford is a former World Champion in sparring and multi-time national champion in several divisions.  She began her training as a student at a club on university campus. Her talent was obvious from the first day as she had danced and taught ballet for several years.   Lady Master (a name given by her students) competed full time for 7 years and retired as the number one ranked woman in her division.  She now devotes her career to teaching men, woman, teens, and children of all ages.  Nicola is also a  blue belt in BJJ, a certified yoga instructor, and an accomplished vocalist.  She has sung the Korean, American, and Canadian national anthems at both national and world championships.

Adam Vandermeulen

4th Degree Black Belt

Nationally Certified Instructor

Mr. Vandermeulan is a fourth degree black belt and nationally certified instructor in Taekwondo.  He is also a blue belt in bjj, and a L3 Krav Maga instructor.  Mr. V.  (as everyone calls him) particularly enjoys sparring and the combat systems.  He has been training at ATA Canada since 2004, and began teaching in 2008.  Off the mat, Mr. V enjoys soccer and trail bike riding, is a husband, and a father of three boys.

Senior Master Kevin Ford

Owner/Instructor

Senior Master Ford is a lifelong martial artist.  He started training as a teenager, and began teaching in his first club after graduating university in 1992.  In addition to instructing martial arts, he was also a longtime competitor, finishing with several national and international titles.  Master Ford has trained students from white belts to world champions, has taught seminars, refereed tournaments, and judged testings all over North America.  Senior Master Ford has produced several masters, dozens of instructors, and multiple locations across Canada and the United States.  He was nominated for the title of Chief Master in 2022, and is working toward induction as a Chief Master in 2023.  Kevin also enjoys painting, board games, NFL football, camping with his family, and is an award winning poet.

  • BA History and Psychology, TWU, 1992.
  • 8th degree Black Belt in Songahm Taekwondo.  (World Championships 2022)
  • International title of Senior Master Instructor – (World Championships 2016)
  • Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ).   (Rodrigo Resende/Max Trombini/Rickson Gracie)
  • Certified Krav Maga Instructor.   (NWSDE, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel)
  • Two time national champion, forms and sparring.
  • Teaching martial arts as a career since 1992.