Somerville Martial Arts Academy

Our Instructors

TAEKWONDO INSTRUCTORS

Master Patrick Mehrtens

Master Mehrtens has owned Somerville Martial Arts Academy, from its' start Ten years ago. Master Mehrtens branded the "Let's Kickbox" and L.I.F.E. series of fitness programs nine years ago. Prior to Somerville Martial Arts Academy, he ran the first Martial Arts America school in Edison, NJ with his brother, Fred Mehrtens. A fifth degree black belt Master Instructor, Master Mehrtens has been training since the age of ten, and is certified in Tae Kwon Do, Self-Defense, Kickboxing and Fitness Kickboxing Instruction. Master Mehrtens has been training people of all ages full time for more than 20 years.

Master Mehrtens also played professional baseball with the Chicago White Sox farm system for 3 years. Master Mehrtens says "My success in baseball is directly linked to all the hard work I put into my Martial Arts training as a youngster. Martial Arts and my Instructor, 8th Degree Black Belt and Senior Master Bill Clark, taught me how to work hard for anything you feel is important." Master Mehrtens lives in Hillsborough, NJ with his wife Erika and two children.

Master Kyle Freeman

Kyle Freeman took his first martial arts class at the age of 6. Since then, he has continued his training, studying many different styles of martial arts, including Kenpo Karate, Shotokan Karate and Taekwondo. Master Freeman moved to New Jersey in 1996 and began training at Somerville Martial Arts. That summer, he began helping with class instruction and, in 2004, Master Freeman returned to his home state of Texas. He successfully opened and ran his own school for four years. He recently moved back to New Jersey to join forces once again with Somerville Martial Arts, creating an unstoppable team focused on monumental success.

Master Freeman has competed at martial arts events throughout New Jersey and Texas, accumulating many regional, state and national titles. From these experiences, he brings specialized training to his students that also have a desire to compete, resulting in many similar accomplishments for SMAA members. Master Freeman is excited to be part of such an excellent team of instructors.

Mr. Steve Mandraccia

Mr. Mandraccia is currently a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and an instructor at Somerville Martial Arts Academy. He has studied Tae Kwon Do since August 1988. He received his 1st degree black belt in December 1993 in Hillsborough, NJ. In December 1995, he joined Somerville Martial Arts as the school's first student after working out with the head instructor, Master Patrick Mehrtens, and has been a student and instructor at this school since. received his 4th degree black belt in October 2005. From January 1999 through December 2000, he successfully completed the 2 year Instructor College given at SMAA.

Outside of SMAA, Mr. Mandraccia works as a Principal Probation Officer for the State of New Jersey, serving as the supervisor of the Juvenile Unit at the Somerset County Probation Department. He is a graduate of Hillsborough High School and Rutgers University. He has also previously coached recreation soccer in Bridgewater and completed the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic (Sports Awareness For Educating Today's Youth) in 1999.

Mr. Eric M. Rubenstein

Mr. Rubenstein has been training in the martial arts since approximately 1983. He began his martial arts training in Shotokan Karate. He studied that art up to the rank of brown belt (one under black belt). After trying a variety of different martial arts, including Wing-Chun Kung Fu and Aikido, he began to train in Tae Kwon Do in 1990. His first Tae Kwon Do instructor was Master Mark McCarthy, in Buffalo, NY, a sixth degree black belt, and trained with General Choi, the creator of the patterns that are performed at Somerville Martial Arts Academy.

Mr. Rubenstein obtained his first-degree black belt in December 1996, and presently holds the rank of 4th degree black belt. He has certifications for first through third-degree black belt from both the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the Korean national organization for Tae Kwon Do, known as the Ku-Ki-Won. He obtained his third-degree black belt in March 2001. In addition to training regularly in Tae Kwon Do, he is also cross-training in Gracie Jui-Jitsu with Brain Katz .

Mr. Rubenstein is presently employed as a Federal Agent, and conducts a full range of law enforcement activities. As part of his duties, he also serves as a defensive tactics instructor, and provides defensive tactics instruction to over 30 agents that work in his regional area. He obtained certification as a defensive tactics instructor from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in 1998. He is certified to instruct in the use of pepper spray, baton striking techniques and arrest procedures.

Mr. Rubenstein has been training at the Somerville Martial Arts Academy since December 2001, and has been instructing there since the spring of 2002.

SPECIALIZED FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Debbie D'Alessio

Debbie has been a Cardio Kickbox instructor with Somerville Martial Arts Academy since 1998. She is also an ACE Certified Personal trainer with a special interest in youth fitness. Debbie has competed as a middleweight body-builder, placing first in the 2004 Gold's Classic Championship and first in the 2005 Xcalibur Championship. Debbie enjoys competing in triathlons, running, biking and hiking. She holds a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do and is a L.I.F.E. coach for the school. She is the mother of two boys, ages 13 and 11, and works as a graphic artist for a New York art studio.