UpdatesMaster Lesser currently trains and teaches of MacKenzie’s TaeKwon-Do and Hapkido Institute on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, working with the Black Belt, MMA, Family/Adult and Hapikdo classes.
History
Andrew Lesser began his martial arts training in Tae Kwon-Do at Kim’s Karate at the age of 7. Achieving Black Belt rank at age 11, Master Lesser became one of the first Black Belts to train at the newly developed Hiyashiya Martial Arts Academy under the instruction of Patrick Haynes. Following his training at Hiyashiya, Master Lesser trained with Olympic Competitor Master Scott Conrad in Tang Soo Do, competing in Full Contact Tournaments on local, state, and national levels.
After competing in and winning the Weapons Competition at the 1996 National Fight for Cancer Tournament in Atlantic City, NJ, Master Lesser reconnected with Grandmaster Kenneth P. MacKenzie, who coached him at the Echelon YMCA many years prior. Andrew decided to join Grandmaster MacKenzie’s TaeKwon-Do and Hapkido Institute in Voorhees, NJ, and subsequently earned his 2nd and 3rd Black Belt ranks. In October 2008, Master Lesser received his 4th Degree Master Black Belt rank in Tae Kwon-Do. He currently teaches at the MacKenzie Tae-Kwon Do and Hapkido Institute in Voorhees, in addition to hosting seminars and classes in areas such as techniques, sparring, weapons, and philosophy.
In January 2010, Master Lesser was formally inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Excellence in Teaching Martial Arts. He continues to use the skills he acquires every day as a public school educator in his commitment to imparting the benefit of martial arts to students of all ages.
Master Lesser is currently completing a book entitled “The TaeKwon-Do Patterns Resource” detailing a comprehensive study of each TaeKwon-Do pattern including history, philosophy, and individual movements.