Instructors
Mr. Nicholas W. D'Amato, D#36548, Sam Dan
President, Owner, & Chief Instructor
Mr. Nicholas D'Amato began his training at Pal Che Tang Soo Do on November 14th, 1996. He was one of the first students in the Youth Class after the school split and reincorporated in 1996. His first instructor was Master Ronald G. Raver. Over the years Mr. Nick became the Senior Student in the Youth Class and saw many students come and go. In September 1999, at the rank of Red Belt (E Gup), he was invited to gradually advance his training by moving up to the Adult Class. In October 2002, he began training fully under his mentor Mr. Joseph Centrone, when Master Raver retied and Mr. Centrone took over as the new Owner and Chief Instructor of Pal Che Tang Soo Do. In the Summer 2003, Mr. Nick joined the White Tigers Demonstration Team at Pal Che, and remained on the team for three years, competing every year in the Regional Championship in the Poconos. He was a member of the team that won Third Place in Creativity at the 2003 Region 8 Championship. Mr. Nick later became a leader on the Special Team of Role Models (STORM) panel for the Studio's Demo Team. He tested for Blue Belt (Cho Dan Bo) on November, 14th, 2003, the same day that he had started his training seven years earlier. His journey to Black Belt was a long, challenging struggle, yet he persevered and tested for his First Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan) on September 18th, 2004. In 2005, Mr. Nick began teaching weekly classes, and he became certified as a Class Instructor. In 2006, Mr. Nick was certified as a Corner Judge. On April 12th, 2008, Mr. Nick tested for Second Degree Black Belt (E Dan), and on the same day he received a $1,500.00 Scholarship for College from the World Tang Soo Do Foundation. In June 2009, Mr. Nick was certified as an International Judge. He is a regular participant in the annual Black Belt Clinics, and he has been a counselor five times at the Region 8 Youth Black Belt Camp in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015. He has traveled to attend the World Tang Soo Do Association World Championships in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. Mr. Nick has attended almost all Studio and Regional events since 2003. Mr. Nick is also a $1,000 Donor to the Building Fund for the new World Tang Soo Do Association World HeadQuarters. On April 9th, 2011 Mr. Nick tested for Third Degree Black Belt (Sam Dan). In Spring 2011, Master Centrone decided to retire from being the studio owner, and Mr. Nick assumed ownership of the Pal Che Tang Soo Do Studio (Dojang) as of June 1st, 2011. Since taking over, Mr. Nick has been busy standardizing the curriculum, recruiting new students, and renovating the facilities at Pal Che Tang Soo Do.
Outside of Tang Soo Do, Mr. Nick is a 2007 graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School, where he was a Vice President of the Community Service Corps and a Member of the National Honor Society. He was also a member of the Saint Augustine Corps and the Stage Crew for the Fall and Spring Shows at Bonner and Prendergast. He attended Villanova University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, with a Minor in French Language, and a Concentration in Peace and Justice Studies. During his time at Villanova, he was a member of the Leadership Learning Community as well as the Service Learning Community. He was elected the Secretary of the Amnesty International Chapter on Villanova's Campus for which he organized trips to many semi-annual conferences. Mr. Nick is very active in the political community, and he has worked in sales, development, non-profit organizations, and mortgage banking. Mr. Nick loves travelling, and he has been to over 30 American States, studied briefly in Mexico and France, and visited many other countries, including Canada, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Another passion of Mr. Nick's is studying foreign languages, and he is knowledgeable in both French and Italian. Mr. Nick plans to eventually work in Politics, Education, or Journalism.
Mr. Nicholas D'Amato began his training at Pal Che Tang Soo Do on November 14th, 1996. He was one of the first students in the Youth Class after the school split and reincorporated in 1996. His first instructor was Master Ronald G. Raver. Over the years Mr. Nick became the Senior Student in the Youth Class and saw many students come and go. In September 1999, at the rank of Red Belt (E Gup), he was invited to gradually advance his training by moving up to the Adult Class. In October 2002, he began training fully under his mentor Mr. Joseph Centrone, when Master Raver retied and Mr. Centrone took over as the new Owner and Chief Instructor of Pal Che Tang Soo Do. In the Summer 2003, Mr. Nick joined the White Tigers Demonstration Team at Pal Che, and remained on the team for three years, competing every year in the Regional Championship in the Poconos. He was a member of the team that won Third Place in Creativity at the 2003 Region 8 Championship. Mr. Nick later became a leader on the Special Team of Role Models (STORM) panel for the Studio's Demo Team. He tested for Blue Belt (Cho Dan Bo) on November, 14th, 2003, the same day that he had started his training seven years earlier. His journey to Black Belt was a long, challenging struggle, yet he persevered and tested for his First Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan) on September 18th, 2004. In 2005, Mr. Nick began teaching weekly classes, and he became certified as a Class Instructor. In 2006, Mr. Nick was certified as a Corner Judge. On April 12th, 2008, Mr. Nick tested for Second Degree Black Belt (E Dan), and on the same day he received a $1,500.00 Scholarship for College from the World Tang Soo Do Foundation. In June 2009, Mr. Nick was certified as an International Judge. He is a regular participant in the annual Black Belt Clinics, and he has been a counselor five times at the Region 8 Youth Black Belt Camp in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015. He has traveled to attend the World Tang Soo Do Association World Championships in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. Mr. Nick has attended almost all Studio and Regional events since 2003. Mr. Nick is also a $1,000 Donor to the Building Fund for the new World Tang Soo Do Association World HeadQuarters. On April 9th, 2011 Mr. Nick tested for Third Degree Black Belt (Sam Dan). In Spring 2011, Master Centrone decided to retire from being the studio owner, and Mr. Nick assumed ownership of the Pal Che Tang Soo Do Studio (Dojang) as of June 1st, 2011. Since taking over, Mr. Nick has been busy standardizing the curriculum, recruiting new students, and renovating the facilities at Pal Che Tang Soo Do.
Outside of Tang Soo Do, Mr. Nick is a 2007 graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School, where he was a Vice President of the Community Service Corps and a Member of the National Honor Society. He was also a member of the Saint Augustine Corps and the Stage Crew for the Fall and Spring Shows at Bonner and Prendergast. He attended Villanova University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, with a Minor in French Language, and a Concentration in Peace and Justice Studies. During his time at Villanova, he was a member of the Leadership Learning Community as well as the Service Learning Community. He was elected the Secretary of the Amnesty International Chapter on Villanova's Campus for which he organized trips to many semi-annual conferences. Mr. Nick is very active in the political community, and he has worked in sales, development, non-profit organizations, and mortgage banking. Mr. Nick loves travelling, and he has been to over 30 American States, studied briefly in Mexico and France, and visited many other countries, including Canada, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Another passion of Mr. Nick's is studying foreign languages, and he is knowledgeable in both French and Italian. Mr. Nick plans to eventually work in Politics, Education, or Journalism.
Mr. John N. Alesi, D#29559, Sam Dan
Chief Instructor
Chief Instructor
Mr. Anthony J. DiLucido, D#37753, Sam Dan
Chief Instructor
Mr. Anthony DiLucido began his Martial Arts Training at Pal Che Tang Soo Do in 1999 under Master Ronald Raver after watching his brother Colin DiLucido train for about a year. He continued his training at Pal Che Tang Soo Do under Master Joseph Centrone and Mr. Nicholas D'Amato. While in High School and College, he trained with Master Mark Semerad and Master Nicholas Acri. His current Mentor Instructor is Master Kenneth Peterman. He currently holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt (Sam Dan). Mr, Anthony is a Chief Instructor who assists with Tiny Tigers, Little Dragons, Youth Students, Teen Students, & Adult Students. He is also certified as a Regional Judge. Mr. Anthony has been an avid Tournament Competitor over the last decade. While in College he operated a Martial Arts Club called Ignite Martial Arts at the Columbia Mall in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. In addition to his current duties teaching at both locations of Pal Che Tang Soo Do in Glenolden, Pennsylvania and Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, he also teaches at Impact Martial Arts in Perryville, Maryland. His Sister, Jillian and his Father, Tony have also trained alongside him for many years. Mr. Anthony was a student at Saint Joseph’s School in Collingdale, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School where he excelled in Cross Country and Track and performed in numerous musicals and theater productions, notably through PACS and the Viviana Theater Group. He graduated from Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and the University of Saint Joseph's in West Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. Anthony was previously a High School Teacher at both the Church Farm School in Exton, Pennsylvania and Bishop McDevitt Catholic High School in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. He currently works as a College Instructor and Science Lab Preparer at Widener University, in Chester, Pennsylvania. Mr. Anthony enjoys many outdoor activities like hiking and water sports. He is also a fan of alternative rock music.
Ms. Jillian M. DiLucido, D#42090, Sam Dan
Chief Instructor
Ms. Jillian DiLucido began her Martial Arts Training at Pal Che Tang Soo Do in July 2005 under Master Joseph Centrone. She began her training as a Tiny Tiger after watching her two older brothers train. She currently holds the rank of Third Degree Black Belt (Sam Dan). She tested for her First Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan) in April 2010 after 5 years of training. Ms. Jill is a former Chief Instructor. She has assisted with teaching the Tiny Tigers and Little Dragons, and she is often a Conductor and a Judge at Color Belt (Gup) Tests. Ms. Jill’s favorite part of Tang Soo Do is Free Sparring (Ja Yu Dae Ryun). Ms. Jill has been a member of the Demo Team, and she frequently competes at tournaments. Ms. Jill was a student at Saint Joseph’s School in Collingdale, Pennsylvania and Saint Eugene’s School in Primos, Pennsylvania where she excelled in Cross Country and Track and performed in numerous musicals and theater productions, notably through the Viviana Theater Group. She graduated from Cardinal O’Hara Catholic High School, in Springfield, Pennsylvania and Penn State University in Media, Pennsylvania. She works as an Office Administrator in the Health Care Industry.
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Ms. Deborah D. Vallejo, D#48076, E Dan
Head Instructor
Ms. Deborah Vallejo began her training at Pal Che Tang Soo Do in August 2012 under Mr. Nicholas D’Amato after watching her son train for about a year. She always wanted to train in the martial arts ever since she was a child. She currently holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt (E Dan). Ms. Debbie is a Head Instructor, and she assists with teaching the Tiny Tigers, Little Dragons, and Youth Students. She is also certified as a Corner Judge. She is the mother of Gabriel Vallejo who is a 1st Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan) and Christian Vallejo who is a Color Belt (Gup). Ms. Debbie works as a Sourcing Analyst for Wawa, and she was previously a Staff Accountant at the company. She was raised in Philadelphia, and she is a graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School, Temple University, and Widener University. She has earned a Master’s of Business Administration. Ms. Debbie is a very dedicated student who trains several days each week, and she is also a former gymnast. Along with her husband, Gabe, and her two sons, Gabriel and Christian, she was presented with the Pal Che Tang Soo Do Family of the Year Award in 2012. In 2014 and 2020, she was the Pal Che Tang Soo Do Instructor of the Year. Breaking (Kyuck Pa) is one of her favorite parts of Tang Soo Do. Ms. Debbie is also the Editor of the Pal Che Tang Soo Do Times Studio (Dojang) Newsletter.
Mr. Cameron J. L. Harper, G#50104, Cho Dan
Class Instructor
Ms. Genesis Estrada, D#52133, E Dan
Class Instructor
Class Instructor
Mr. Tuncay Ilbak, D#53090, E Dan
Class Instructor
Class Instructor
Mr. Xavier R. Creighton, D#53091, E Dan
Class Instructor
Class Instructor
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Mr. Xavier Creighton began his Martial Arts Training at Pal Che Tang Soo Do in August 2016. He has been an extremely dedicated student attending many training seminars and tournament competitions both near and far. He currently holds the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan). Mr, Xavier is a Class Instructor who assists with Tiny Tigers, Little Dragons, Youth Students, and Teen Students. He is also certified as a Scorekeeper / Timekeeper. Mr. Xavier previously attended Delcroft School, and he now attends High School at the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School (PALCS). In 2016, he was awarded the Rising Start Award. In 2017, he was awarded the Bernard "Bernie" Ladem Spirit Award. In 2018, the Creighton Family was awarded the Family of the Year Award. In 2018 and 2020, he was the Student of the Year. In 2021, he was the Pal Che Tang Soo Do Instructor of the Year. Outside of Tang Soo Do, he enjoys Swimming, Drumming, Playing Bass Guitar, and Video Editing. He is a big fan of The Beatles and many Metal/Hard Rock Bands.
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Mr. Michael Jack S. Friel, D#55120, Cho Dan
Class Instructor 
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Ms. Didem Ilbak, G#192437, Cho Dan Bo
Assistant Instructor
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Daniel P. Ward Sr., G#107618, 2nd Gup
Assistant Instructor
Assistant Instructor