Melody Johnson

Melody Johnson is a 6th Dan in Taekwondo Melody Shuman has over 25 years of experience in the Martial Arts. 


Melody earned her black belt in 1988 in New Orleans, and since then has achieved many accomplishments in her Martial Arts journey. She began working as a program director and instructor in Orlando, Florida at the age of 19. 


From there, Melody co-owned and operated 4 schools in south Florida for 6 years. During that time, she won the title of world champion and was a coach to one of the best competition teams in her organization with a combined total of 37 world champion titles amongst the entire team!


Melody's unwavering dedication extended to extensive research and the development of innovative teaching methodologies tailored for children. In the year 2000, she introduced her groundbreaking program, "Little Ninjas," to the Martial Arts community. Today, this pioneering program thrives in more than 2,000 schools across over 25 countries, marking a transformative milestone in Melody's Martial Arts journey.

Melody's extensive expertise led to a surge in demand for her insights, particularly through her "Children's Martial Arts Instructor Certification Course." Remarkably, Melody has certified over 5,000 instructors worldwide, earning recognition even from legendary martial artist Chuck Norris and his organization, the UFAF. Chuck Norris personally bestowed upon Melody a special award in 2005, a testament to her exceptional contributions to children's martial arts education.

Melody's latest career venture involves the development of age-specific curriculums branded as "SKILLZ," a pioneering concept that has garnered significant acclaim for its systematic approach to skill-based martial arts training. These programs have received endorsements from prominent child psychologists, including the late Dr. Ruth Peters, further solidifying Melody's indelible mark on the Martial Arts industry. Currently, there are more than 150 licensed SKILLZ schools in over 9 countries.

Additionally, Melody has established an online drills website, housing a vast repository of over 1600 age-specific drills, as well as offerings for teens, adults, and specialty training. This website boasts an impressive user base, with over 125 subscribers spanning 6 countries. Melody's tireless efforts have not only reshaped the landscape of martial arts education but have also empowered instructors and enriched the lives of countless students worldwide.