Master J. Curiel (known to her students as "Master C" ) has over 25 years of martial arts experience. She began her training back in 1993 under Master Chun Rhee, the son of Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee in Annandale, Virginia at the age of 5. Back then, the "Kneehigh Ninja" was in its early stages so Master Curiel participated in the "family class" which was a majority of older students and adults! It was in her training as a young child that Master Curiel learned about focus, concentration, self-discipline, and working hard in order to achieve one's goals. At the young age of 9 Master Curiel earned her first degree Black Belt! 

After an adjustment period to the demands of Honors Classes and other extracurricular programs both in and out of school Master Curiel returned to earn her 2nd Degree Black Belt with Outstanding Marks at 15 years old and her 3rd Degree with Outstanding Marks (again!) at 18 years old. During her freshman year at Fordham University in New York Master Curiel continued to train in Tae Kwon Do. When she returned to finish her Bachelor's Degree at George Mason University she became an Instructor at the Jhoon Rhee Falls Church location and discovered her love of teaching. She continued instructing and later on re-established the Jhoon Rhee Competition and Demonstration Team along with another Instructor. The two teams and Master Curiel competed and placed in top rankings in numerous local, regional, and national tournaments.