Instructors I

Trainee Instructors I Students
Cunningham’s ATA Martial Arts currently has two ATA Certified Instructors on staff.
Instructor Profile: Mr. Stuart Cunningham

Mr. Stuart Cunningham joined the ATA in 1997 while he was a graduate student in California. He earned his first degree black belt in 1999 and became a Certified Instructor in 2001. He taught taekwondo at his instructor’s schools for three years before returning home to Montana to open his school in Bozeman in 2004. Mr. Cunningham is a fourth degree black belt and has been a multi-event state champion every year since 2004. He serves as the regional communication coordinator for ATA Region 119D, including all schools in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Outside taekwondo, he sits on the Board of Directors for Gallatin Valley CASA/GAL, which provides advocates and guardians for children under the care of Montana’s 18th Judicial District courts. Mr. Cunningham holds a Bachelors degree from Montana State University and a Masters degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
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Instructor: Mrs. Julie Cunnningham

Mrs. Julie Cunningham earned her first taekwondo black belt in 1997 in Omaha, NE. She is a former Collegiate National Championship competitor and Junior Olympics coach. After years of study in different taekwondo styles, she joined the ATA in 2005 and became a Certified Instructor in 2009. Now a third degree black belt, Mrs. Cunningham teaches the ATA Xtreme (XMA) class and assists with the Leadership and Black Belt Club classes. In addition to other state titles, she was Montana’s first five-event state champion in 2007 - a feat she repeated in 2008! Mrs. Cunningham holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Montana and a Masters degree from Montana State University. She works for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
“My greatest goal for taekwondo is to get as far as I can without ever giving up. I can do this by thinking positively, living with respect, being a good sport, staying healthy, and making good decisions for the rest of my life.”

- Jesper W.

Our Leadership Program includes several assistant instructors who are in the process of earning their Certified Instructor status.

Assistant Instructors
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Level 2 Specialty Instructors
Ms. Erin Gunnink was one of the first students who joined Cunningham’s ATA in 2004! She assists with the Karate Kids Black Belt Club classes.
Ms. Thea Villinger is one of our most enthusiastic assistants. She is a regular at our summer camps and assists with the Karate Kids Black Belt Club classes.

Level 1 Certified Trainers:
Brett Gunnink is the head of the Civil Engineering Department at Montana State University. He assists with the Adult Basic and Karate Kids Black Belt Club classes.

For more information about the ATA’s exceptional Instructor Certification process, you may visit our Programs page.

“The differences in the previous schools I’ve attended were very apparent. Mr. Cunningham has held himself to a higher standard, all the while empowering those around him to do the same.”

-Leon O.
Cunningham’s ATA also boasts two nationally-certified SHARP (Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention) and Spontaneous Knife Defense instructors, Ms. Thea Villinger and Mr. Troy Kechely. Please visit our self defense website for information on the next SHARP clinic and on-going self defense classes.
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Our Students
“I like the environment you provide – an environment that is respectful, supportive, encouraging, rewarding, disciplined, and fun. I enjoy the fact that people of all ages and walks of life are welcome and are made to feel comfortable.”

- Kate H.
Our student body currently includes two H.U. Lee Foundation regional scholarship winners, one MSU Presidential Scholar, and one Jack Kent Cook Foundation scholarship winner. We have university staff members, homemakers, hair stylists, and lawyers. The only person we’re missing is YOU!
Black Belts awarded by Cunningham's ATA since 2004:
Ms. Maddie Abshire
Mr. Mason Allen
Mr. Teagan Barndt
Mr. Bryan Blair
Mr. Sam Chambers
Ms. Meghan Costle
Ms. Celeste Crowder
Mr. Brett Gunnink
Ms. Paige Gunnink
Ms. Rachel Gunnink
Ms. Kate Hall
Ms. Anika Hanisch
Mr. Holden Hunts
Ms. Emma Ideson
Ms. Ellie Jackson
Mr. Aidan Jarrett
Mr. Andrew Jarrett
Mr. Troy Kechely
Ms. Luisa Macedo
Mr. Matthias Macedo
 Mr. Trevor Martinez
Mr. Zachary Martinez
Mr. Wilson McMakin
Ms. Amira Mortenson
Mr. Christopher Naumann
Mr. Jonathan Neumann
Mr. Leon Odom
Mr. Justin Pratt
Ms. Megan Pratt
Mr. Reed Schneider
Ms. Laura Sikoski
Mr. Asher Smith
Mr. Jake TeSelle
Ms. Fiona Vallor
Ms. Thea Villinger
Mr. Jesper Warne
Mr. Matthew Widdekind
Ms. Annie Yang
Ms. Michala Zambon
“Your school has done wonders for our son. I was nervous about his lack of self control and his disregard for directions when he started. Now it’s difficult to see where my concerns came from! We are thankful for your strong influence and positive role modeling. Keep up the great work!”

- Deborah W.
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Wall of Fame:
Ms. Erin Gunnink – First black belt student at Cunningham’s ATA (transferred from Mr. Hockman’s school in Columbia, MO).

Mr. Brett Gunnink, Mr. Jake TeSelle & Mr. Reed Schneider – First students to complete their entire journey to black belt at Cunningham’s ATA.

Mrs. Julie Cunningham – Montana’s first five-event state champion (2007 & 2008) and first Cunningham’s ATA student to earn Certified Instructor status.

Mrs. Ellie Jackson – First Cunningham’:s ATA student to earn the blue-and-gold Victory patch for achievements in taekwondo, school, and at home.
A member of the American Taekwondo Association.
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Cunningham's ATA * Bozeman, Montana * 406.556.8792

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