Elaine Vance

Elaine Vance was born in Fulton, Missouri. She lived several places growing up, settling in Maryland when she married in 1978. Elaine is currently a human resources director at Gallaudet University. Elaine teaches the Wedsnesday evening class.

Elaine has more than thirty years of martial arts experience which began by studying Shudo Kan Karate in college. Later she earned a Black Belt in Ishinryu Karate, a Second Degree Black Belt in American Hapkido. She studied Danzan-ryu Jujitsu, Tai Chi, and Aikido while looking for a new martial arts school. Elaine found Sheya's Hapkido in the yellow pages after receiving a recommendation from a friend, and began studying in the summer of 1988. She tested for first brown belt while six months pregnant, and took a little time off after giving birth. Elaine is a Master Instructor. Of all the arts she has studied, Elaine prefers Hapkido. "I like the fact that a smaller person can overcome a larger person without using strength."