About the Instructor

Philip Barr has spent the past decade traveling the world in search of meaning and adventure. His explorations have led him to South Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, the wilds of British Colombia, and most of the US including Alaska and Hawaii.

Mr. Barr (“Mr. Philip”, to the kids) is a Black Belt in the World Martial Arts Association and a native of Buffalo, NY.

In addition to teaching classes at Blue Wave, Philip is the Founder and Chairman of the Western New York Youth Martial Arts Fund, Inc., a 501c3 organization dedicated to ensuring youth from all backgrounds have the opportunity to grow through the practice of the martial arts.

About the Association

Ultimate oversight and concern for Blue Wave Martial Arts originates at the Headquarters of the World Martial Arts Association in Brooklyn, New York.

Founded by Headmaster Michael T. Dealy in 1989, the WMAA teaches Tae Kwon Do as an intense, vicious, and practical art whilefocusing on encouraging experiences and unconditional positive regard.

The World Martial Arts Association currently has chapters in New York, California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

Headmaster Michael T. Dealy began the practice of Tae Kwon Do under the Korean Master, Duk Sung Son, at Fordham University’s Rose Hill Campus. Dealy quickly rose to President of the Tae Kwon Do club and, over the next three decades, trained as Mr. Son’s top student, winning numerous tournament competitions and performing in countless Tae Kwon Do exhibitions around the world.

During this time Mr. Dealy earned his Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature and his PhD in Psychology from Fordham University. He has since published “Martial Arts Therapy”, the authoritative book on relating the practice of Tae Kwon Do to the practice of interventionist therapy, and is currently working on a second book.

Dealy, currently 9th Dan, continues to head the WMAA, while also serving as Headmaster of Bay Ridge Preparatory School, a K-12 charter school dedicated to enriching intellectual curiosity, creativity, and emotional intelligence through a student-centered community that values the unique talents and learning styles of each person.