Robene Richardson Bates is a Testing Services Assistant at Indiana University.

An Indiana University graduate with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Robene also has a Master of Human Relations degree (MHR) from the University of Oklahoma.  She has one daughter, Sienna, who also trains in the martial arts.

Robene earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do in the spring of 2002 after eight years of practice.  She started training at MCMA in January of 1992.  This makes her a charter member, having joined us when we were still in our original location in the strip mall north of the Putt-Putt miniature golf course.

In the early nineties she started competing in forms.  She won first place in her division in a number of tournaments, including "The Battle of Atlanta" held in Atlanta, Georgia.  

It took Robene a little longer than normal for her to get her black belt.  In 1993 she moved to Germany, where she studied Tang Soo Do and Hapkido for several years.  Returning to Bloomington in 2000 she resumed her studies at MCMA.

Robene has practiced a variety of arts and is a strong advocate of cross training.  She's studied T'ai Chi Chuan, Combat Submission Wrestling, Muay Thai kickboxing, Brazilian Jiujitsu, JKD/Kali, Pencak Silat, Modern Arnis, Hapkido, and Chinese weapons.  She is also an avid seminar attendant, and travels regularly to train with top instructors in a variety of arts.  

When asked which instructors influenced her training the most, Robene says "I'm impressed with all the instructors at MCMA throughout all disciplines!"  She specifically credits Eric Charles, Rob Lee, Mick Williams, Dave Miller,  Brian Heeter, Jason Anderson, and Dennis Groth.  "They've all been excellent instructors and loyal friends over the years," Robene says.

"Steve and Linda Scott have had the greatest impact on my training," she adds.  "They've provided me with an optimal environment for learning multiple styles, for building self-confidence, for developing patience, for redefining progress, for achieving goals, for training safely, and for making lifelong friends."

Robene is quick to point out that instructors outside of the school have had a dynamic influence on her training.  She credits instructors Keith Wetoskey, Jeff Westfall, Erik Paulson, and the late Sifu Larry Hartsell for contributing to her development.  

"A special thanks to Guro Dan Inosanto for demonstrating the value of cross-training and the beauty of humility and open-mindedness," Robene says, "and to Ajarn Surachai "Chai" Sirisute for reinforcing the importance of conditioning your mind and body."

Robene is firmly committed to the martial arts.  She says, "My goal in the martial arts is to learn as much as I can and to train as hard as I can...for as long as I can."