Mike Zhu
Mike Zhu has practiced wushu for over 17 years and brings a deep passion for wushu, weapons training, and continuous improvement to his teaching. He specializes in sword, spear, and miao dao, and has trained under Master Chen Jin and Steven Li, head of the U.S. Shaolin Open Association.
A former 2017 U.S. Kung Fu Team member, Mike has earned numerous medals at nationally recognized competitions, including Weapons Grand Champion at the 2016 Capital Classics. His competitive experience has shaped his approach to training: disciplined, technical, and focused on pushing beyond perceived limits.
Mike especially enjoys working with students who are serious about taking their wushu to the next level—helping them refine their technique, develop greater precision and power, and discover just how far they can push their skills.
Ginny Lam
Ginny Lam has dedicated over 20 years to the practice of wushu. She began her training under Masters Chen Jin and Zhao Wei-Chun and advanced her skills training under Steven Li, head of the U.S. Shaolin Open Association. Ginny has extensive experience with long fist, sword, spear, and bagua, and her specialties are staff and broadsword.
Throughout her martial arts journey, Ginny has competed in numerous renowned tournaments, including CACMA, Capitol Classics, and Wong People, earning top honors along the way. In 2017, she successfully completed team trials at Nova Wushu Academy and earned a place on the U.S. Traditional Wushu Team.
As a Cantonese and Mandarin language teacher by profession, Ginny brings her passion for teaching and cultural education to her martial arts practice. She looks forward to working with students from all walks of life and supporting them to achieve their personal best.
Oliver Chung
Oliver Chung has practiced Chinese martial arts for over 25 years, with experience spanning modern wushu, traditional kung fu, internal styles including tai chi and baguazhang, and sanda. He began his training at the Chinese Wushu Research Institute (CWRI) in Boston under renowned martial artist Grand Master Bow Sim Mark, the mother of Donnie Yen, and later continued his development under Master Rick Wong.
Over the course of his martial arts career, Oliver has competed and medaled at numerous national and international tournaments across a range of events and styles. His competitive accomplishments include earning Grand Champion honors at the World Federation of Martial Arts Federation (WFMAF) competition.
As a coach, Oliver brings a broad perspective shaped by decades of training across modern, traditional, internal, and combat-oriented Chinese martial arts. He enjoys helping students build strong fundamentals, improve technical precision and body mechanics, and develop the discipline and confidence needed to achieve their training goals.
Alexander Justel Betancourt
Alex began his martial arts training in 2010 through the Cuban Wushu Association, focusing primarily on Wushu and Taiji. During his early years of training, he assisted with classes at his school and helped teaching Taiji to elderly community groups offsite as part of the school’s outreach program. After several years away from martial arts, Alex returned to training in 2021 and gained several years of experience in Tactical Kungfu and Mixed Martial Arts before returning to Wushu and Taiji at East Cloud Kungfu in 2025.
Since returning to Wushu, Alex has earned two gold medals at the CACMA Fall Classic 2025, one in Wushu and one in Taiji, as well as three gold medals at the Presidential Wushu Cup and National Team Trials 2026. His performance at the National Team Trials earned him a place on the USA Kungfu Team, qualifying him to represent the United States at Pan-American and World Kungfu Championships. Alex has also participated in performances throughout the Triangle, representing East Cloud Kungfu in both Wushu and Taiji.
Founder of East Cloud Kungfu, Imari began her journey with Chinese martial arts in 2010, when a chance glimpse of a Kungfu school on an ordinary day became the spark that changed her life. What began as a search for balance during a turbulent time evolved into a lifelong calling of study, transformation, and devotion— leading her from that first welcoming class to years of training, travel, and teaching across cultures. Her training spans Shaolin and Contemporary Wushu Kungfu, Taiji, Qigong, Muay Thai, and the grappling arts of Sanda and Shuai Jiao. In recent years, she also embraced the discipline of Sumo wrestling, earning a silver medal at the U.S. Nationals, and is a practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga as part of her ongoing exploration of mind-body discipline and holistic movement. In 2018 she inherited stewardship of the school where her own journey began and now leads East Cloud Kungfu with gratitude and vision — a space rooted in tradition, self-discovery, and development; dedicated to cultivating strength, mindfulness, and genuine connection through the martial way. She continues to teach Taiji and remains a devoted student of the arts she loves.
Imari Colón
Dr. Keely Dulmage
Taiji and Qigong instructor in the Wudang Sanfeng lineage, training under Master Zhong Xuechao, with 10+ years across Wudang Sanfeng arts, Chen and Yang style Taiji, and Ki Aikido (Shodan). Founder of Snake and Turtle Martial Arts in Cary, NC, she pairs a genetics research background with martial depth for an inclusive, grounded, and joyful practice.
Alex Wall
Alex Wall began learning Wing Chun Kung Fu under Ron Bey in 1995. Ron Bey learned Wing Chun and Tai Chi from Dr. Fred Min-An Wu who taught Theater Boat Style Wing Chun. Sifu Bey also was influenced by his friendship with Augustine Fong. Alex also learned Tai Chi from Ron Bey. He earned his black sash in 2002. Alex spent 10 years training and teaching Judo from 2011 to 2021 earning his black belt and becoming a certified USA Judo coach. Sifu Alex has competed in over 35 tournaments such as the Great Lakes Kung Fu Championships, CACMA Fall Classic and Queen Charlotte Cup earning multiple medals. He has competed in sparring, chi sau, forms, push hands, judo and Jiu-jitsu. Sifu Alex has also continued to study Northern and Southern Shaolin forms, Chinese Kenpo, and Kali. Alex is a National Board Certified teacher licensed in NC and he brings this pedagogical knowledge to his teaching and curriculum development.
Gerald Townsend
Gerald began his lifelong martial arts journey in 1973, training in Goju-Shorin Karate while in college. Later his interests led him into Karate Kickboxing, earning a black belt under Sensei Ronnie Rowell’s Carolina Karate System. Subsequently he explored Tae Kwon Do, obtaining a black belt in that style.
Wing Chun is part JKD’s foundation – he practices Wing Chun at East Cloud and acquired his black sash from Sifu Alex Wall. In the 1990’s he began his studies in Jeet Kune Do, training over the years with first- and second-generation students of Bruce Lee. Gerald is a Certified JKD Trainer under Sifu Tommy Gong’s JKD Strong organization and leads East Cloud’s Jeet Kune Do practice group.
Derek Stevens
Derek has practiced martial arts for 10+ years & taught for 5, specializing in Muay Boran, Muay Thai, & Kickboxing. Dedicated to sharing arts that have shaped his own life, he focuses on building fundamentals, striking skills, confidence, and discipline. He leads
East Cloud's Striking Kickboxing classes, blending shadowboxing, technique & partner drills, with light-contact sparring in a supportive learning environment.
Heba Salem
Heba Salem has been practicing martial arts for over 13 years. Her journey began with capoeira and has since expanded to include American boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, Sanda, Shuai Jiao, Tai Chi, Shaolin Kung Fu, and sumo.
She has a particular appreciation for Sanda because of its dynamic combination of boxing, kicking, throws, and takedowns. The art offers a practical and engaging approach to combat while providing an exciting way to stay active, alert, and prepared to meet challenges.
Through her study of diverse martial arts, Heba has developed an appreciation for the unique techniques, philosophies, and training methods each discipline offers. Her practice has sharpened her senses, challenged her to continually adapt, and deepened her discipline and awareness.
For Heba, martial arts is ultimately a journey of self-discovery and growth—an ongoing pursuit of greater understanding, awareness, and self-mastery.