Taber Black Belt Academy
Martial Arts in Morganton
Producing Champions in Life & on The Mat
Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary!
Join Us For
Taekwondo & Tai Chi
Welcome to Taber Black Belt Academy, a sister-owned martial arts training center in Morganton teaching Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Weaponry! This is a family-oriented environment where anyone can come in, try us out, and see what we are all about. Students can come in for self-defense, fitness, personal development, and even competition. There’s something for everyone! No matter why you train, we reinforce our six tenets: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Respect, and Victory. This follows our Christian-based philosophy, where no one is judged, everyone is welcome, and all our classes are safe!
Sign Up for Our One-Week FREE Trial!
Start off your journey with us, risk-free. Sign up for a week of FREE Tai Chi, Weaponry, or Taekwondo classes to see what makes us right for you!
Who We Are at
Taber Black Belt Academy
Our School
You can find whatever you need at Taber Black Belt Academy! This is a fun, friendly, energetic, and welcoming place where everyone is cared for. Our instructors give students personalized instruction, finding the best way to teach each student. Students from beginner to advanced, who have competed or not, who have a neurodevelopment disorder (such as ADHD), live with a physical disability or birth defect (such as Cerebral Palsy), or have a fear of martial arts – and more – are welcomed! Everyone learns discipline, respect, and other strong values while discovering what Taekwondo, Tai Chi, and Weaponry classes are all about. On top of that, our Leadership program offers students of all ages the opportunity to improve their skills on and off the mat. Our positive environment can transform your life!
History
Twin sisters Stephanie and Jennifer Taber have built a special culture in martial arts in Morganton. Thanks to their bonding experience and motivation from their older sister Melanie, they opened the academy in 2006 and never looked back. When they first opened, Stephanie and Jennifer leaned on their black belts in Taekwondo to introduce martial arts to the community. Since then, the academy – and their martial arts knowledge – has grown incredibly. The twins put in years of training and research to build a Tai Chi program, add weapons training, and launch a Leadership program – and even added online classes during Covid-19. Their mission was to bring more personal adventures to people in Morganton, and they’ll continue to follow that dream.
Get Our Family Discount!
Anyone in the family can dive into martial arts training at Taber Black Belt Academy. In fact, bring in the whole family and save with our family discount! Everyone will enjoy the experience!
Meet the
Taber Black Belt Academy Team
Led by the Taber twins, our team has amassed years of martial arts experience to share with everyone in Morganton. Through years of training, they’ve learned how to help all types of students. Meet the team below!
Jennifer Taber
Chief Instructor & Co-Founder
Stephanie Taber
Chief Instructor & Co-Founder
Parker Thrower
Head Instructor
Harold Reed
Head Instructor
In Memory of
Melanie Taber – Head Instructor & Co-Founder
Our Academy Schedule!
Check out our schedule at Taber Black Belt Academy! Explore and find the right time for your training!
Explore Our
Martial Arts Programs
All our programs offer students a place to build their discipline while developing confidence. Parents can even give us specific tasks for us to focus on with their children. There are even private lessons for everyone! Check out our programs to find the best program for you!
Tiny Tigers
(Preschoolers)
Students in Tiny Tigers get a fun, joyful experience in martial arts. We don’t focus much on technique but more on Taekwondo movement and basic school preparedness skills. Your children will improve their fitness, health, motor skills, discipline, and more!
Taekwondo
(ages 6+)
Our Taekwondo program is set up to take students from white belt to black belt. It’s a lifelong journey we embrace for each student. We teach traditional Taekwondo through techniques, forms, self-defense, board breaking, and point sparring.
Weaponry
(ages 8+)
We teach a variety of weapons for students to improve their self-defense skills. Our training blends multiple cultures through our different styles. These weapons include nunchucks, eskrima (stick), sword, bow staff, and tonfa.
Tai Chi
Our Tai Chi program offers students an all-around experience. The classes provide students with health benefits and a stress-reducing experience to change their lives. At the same time, we teach true martial arts self-defense. Our training uses low-impact ‘push hands’ techniques and forms with a blend of Yang style and Chen style.
Leadership Programs
Junior Leadership
(ages 6–12)
Young children can take the next step in their personal development in Junior Leadership. We assign them specific tasks based on the six tenets we follow, which they may demonstrate in class as well as at home.
Adult Leadership
(ages 13+)
Our Adult Leadership program is set up to help teens and adults for future martial arts leadership roles. Students are taught how to first assist class, then move to assistant instructor, and lastly become a certified instructor through our adult leadership program. It’s the perfect program to continue your martial arts journey.
Sign Up for Our One-Week FREE Trial!
Start off your journey with us, risk-free. Sign up for a week of FREE Tai Chi, Weaponry, or Taekwondo classes to see what makes us right for you!
Taber Black Belt Academy’s 20th Anniversary
Words from Our Community
For 20+ years, Taber Black Belt Academy has been a proud member of the Morganton community. This has been a welcoming, non-judgmental space where anyone can train in Weaponry, Taekwondo, or Tai Chi and experience something life-changing! Many of our students have made life long friendships, and used their martial arts experience in their future endeavors. And you don’t just need to listen to us. Check out our student testimonials to see how we’ve helped all our students!
“I was their. For 3 years. It was the best experience I had caring teachers they became friends definitely suggest this School that have a awesome Karate Kubs Program as well.”
“My son has went here for almost 2 months and we love it. The Taber’s are super nice and patient with the kids.”
“It is the best if you see this message Taber family your the best it is clean I took for about a year and a half and made it to my advanced brown.”
Contact Us Today!
We welcome everyone to join us at Taber Black Belt Academy for martial arts in Morganton! All those in the Morganton community, as well as those in Marion, Lenoir, Hickory, and Asheville can get started on the mats. You can find us downtown across from Food Matters Market and Cafe in the same shopping strip near Burke Bedding & Furniture Shop!