Customer Success Stories
Explore the experiences that keep our community talking! Dive into real stories from our students who have seen their confidence, skills, and lives transformed through our martial arts programs.
We are absolutely in awe of the way Shifu works with kids! Our son has always battled self-confidence and is easily distracted, frustrated and overwhelmed. The moment he steps on the mat he is dedicated, focused, and confident. Shifu and Laoshi have created an environment of safety, trust, grit, and diligence. I know his training will be invaluable as he moves through life as “the small kid”. I cannot wait to see how my son continues to grow and learn at Dragon Claw.
I highly recommend Dragon Claw Academy! Shifu Chen and his daughter have a remarkable ability to connect with the children. He teaches not only the physical techniques of Kung Fu but also important values like discipline, respect and perseverance. My child looks forward to every class and has shown significant improvement in both skills and confidence. Their dedication and expertise truly make this class a wonderful experience for kids of all ages. Very thankful to have them!
Our kiddo LOVES Shifu and the practice! From the very first phone call from a clueless mama to enrolling my kiddo with DCA, Aaron has been warm and welcoming – it’s easy to see that he loves what he does and pours his heart into his students! Aaron is growing a great community within the school!
Aaron Chen is the REAL deal!!! You won’t go wrong training here!
We enrolled our daughter in Dtagin Claw after testing trials in Jiujitsu, taekwondo. What made this our pick was Shifu’s knowledge, friendliness and making every kid feel at home. He is great with communication and this is one of the classes our daughter looks forward to every week however tired or busy she is! Give this a try. You’d be glad you did.
Shifu Chen and his his Daughter Laoshi Chen are the epitome of character and class. Our boys have started their kung-fu journey with Dragon claw and we have noticed a huge difference in their confidence, coordination, and dedication in just a few months. Dragon claw not only teaches the martial art form, but also that character counts. We appreciate their high expectations for our boys and willingness to pour into them both as instructors and role models.
Dragon Claw has been a great fit for my son. Not only do they get great physical exercise each class, they also learn about discipline and good character. Shifu Chen really cares about these kids both inside and outside of class. Highly recommend!
Amazing place, mentor, teacher, community. Mr.Chen helped my son gain strength and confidence in elementary school, through Covid and high school even after we had moved away from Illinois. Dragon Claw Academy will always hold a special place in our hearts. I am so thankful for Mr. Chen and how he was there for my son through the years. He truly changed his life!
My boys started Dragon Claw when they were young, working their way through several belts. I appreciated the approach, developing them holistically through character development along with Kung Fu skill. If it weren’t for Dragon Claw relocating, I have no doubt they would still be with it. Worth every dollar. Definitely built confidence!
LOVED my time with Dragon Claw Academy. I learned some Kung Fu basics as well as self defense basics that were very empowering even as an adult. If I had kids, I would 100% put my kids in Shifu Chen’s classes. He is very invested in his students and teaches respect, discipline, and integrity for the martial art form while empowering his students to work hard. He has totally mastered teaching in person AND via zoom.
My daughter started with Dragon Claw when she was in early elementary after they began as an after school program. We continued with them through middle school all the way up to her black sash. She is in college now but is still proud of her ability to throw a good punch! Shifu Chen was always responsive to the needs of his students and also any concerns of parents. He cared about them as a community. We still have our sash certificates with the personal notes he wrote about our daughter for each one. I know we were not the only ones who were sad when they left our community.
Dragon Claw Academy is an excellent school led by an amazing and dedicated teacher. When I would come into the school, I noticed how he interacted with the younglings he was teaching. While he’s an excellent instructor for adults, he’s been better with kids. They are always so engaged and seem to be having so much fun. I would highly recommend this Kung Fu school for everyone young and old! Can’t go wrong.
My son and I met Shifu Chen at a critical time in my family’s journey. Shifu provided my then 8-year-old son with the support, guidance, instruction and love that he needed more than ever. For eight years, through his practice at Dragon Claw Academy, my son cultivated his body awareness, his moral compass and his knowledge of this beautiful martial art. I am forever grateful for Dragon Claw Academy, Shifu Chen and all they did to uplift my family’s life. I highly recommend this school to people of all ages.
Dragon Claw Academy and Shifu Aaron Chen changed my life and kick started my martial arts journey. Classes are great for all ages, and the community is welcoming and helpful. If you’re thinking about learning kung fu for yourself or your children, this is the place to do it.
Both of my sons and I studied under Shifu Chen for many years prior to his relocation to the Dallas area. My children started in the Little Dragons programs in first grade learning the basics of Lung Shao Pai Kung Fu, the eldest continuing beyond earning his junior black sash. In both cases, the children not only had a great time, but learned much about their own physicality and about the basics of character necessary for them to become strong, confident individuals. Although they are both very different people, I can still see benefits from the programs that Shifu Chen ran in their development into mid-adolescence. My eldest has moved into other martial arts and into sports, but he still misses the programs that DCA ran in our community.
My own participation in DCA’s programs began as an adult. After years of sitting through lessons and picking up kids, it was my turn. Although I had no background in the martial arts, Shifu Chen’s teaching style and welcoming environment made it easy for individuals of many abilities to engage and form a community within the school. The school provided a supportive, disciplined environment for adult students, so much so, that I continued studying and eventually earned my black sash as well. One of my proudest moments of recent years, it was only enhanced by the friendships that developed through DCA’s programs. I can’t recommend DCA more highly. Shifu Chen’s teaching style, engaged work to develop both individual physical traits and character among students of all ages, and work to build a community within the school made DCA a local gem repeated voted best in our community.
I had the honor and privilege of being taught by THE best instructors at Dragon Claw Academy. I participated in the trial and had pretty much decided that I maybe couldn’t do it. I was a lot older than most of the students and I just wasn’t sure I had it in me. I then received a video from Shifu, inviting me to be a part of his school. I took that as a sign that I needed to get one more rank of black! It was the best decision ever! He and his staff were exceptional, knowledgeable, courteous, polite, willing to work with people individually, and also willing to modify any exercise according to people’s abilities. I always felt welcome and a part of the wonderful family Shifu had created, from scratch! It was my hugest challenge to finish my black sash journey and I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything in the world!
This academy is absolutely amazing! Shifu Chen is such an awesome soul and teacher! When our son went to the academy, his teacher was Jospeh and boy did we love him! I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is asking. You will NOT regret it! Thank you for all you taught our son while he was there! Keep being a light in this world 🖤💛
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My children LOVED their years of learning Kung Fu at Dragon Claw!!
One of my kids began the program with quick reflexes and an aptitude for strength-building. The other did not start out with either.
Yet BOTH of my kids learned, grew, and developed at Dragon Claw under Shifu’s gracious teaching. They loved working through the skill sets and putting in the effort it took to move up to the next sash color.
Far more importantly, my kids were affirmed for their efforts in building character. Shifu encouraged them to be kind, to serve, and to care for others. The mental training aligned beautifully with the physical training and I watched my children become the best versions of themselves.
I went for 4 years and loved every moment. Mr. Chen is an outstanding teacher, but more importantly an amazing person. I highly recommend.
Safe, friendly place to learn , or sharpen your traditional kung fu skills.
I came here to relax and exercise. I am a UIUC student, and when I come here, I get to release all the energy while exercising and being healthy. Love it!
Shifu Aaron Chen is a phenomenal and fun instructor that genuinely cares about each and every student. Shifu Chen is very knowledgable and teaches his style in a way that everyone can understand and replicate. I have taken many types of martial arts and I have never found an instructor like Shifu Chen.
You can learn a lot at Dragon Claw Academy: Respect, Responsible, self-confidence, body and mental health, self-defense. And it is fun.
The teachers are awesome and very patient which is much needed for my kid lol
We could take the kids to martial arts in our hometown but we travel back and forth to take them to Dragon Claw because we believe it is that much better than the average place. There is nothing average about Shifu, the instructors and what Dragon Claw believes in and instills in our children. We wouldn’t take them anywhere else.
My girls love attending! Strong and lasting connections with the kids.
Friends and a few random people highly recommended Dragon Claw so we decided to try – and are really happy we did! They teach more than just how to hit and kick; my kid is learning about proper nutrition, self-discipline and respect, community service. Our family loves it here!
Best teachers. Best students. Loving, encouraging and supportive atmosphere!!!
The staff is amazing! I signed my 5 year old son up for The Little Dragon Program and everyone was very welcoming, friendly and helpful! My son really enjoyed it and I love the flexibility of the schedule! Overall a great experience and can’t wait to go back!
Shifu Chen is an exceptional teacher who takes a personal interest in the growth of every one of his students – no small task. He meets each student at their current skill/confidence level, encouraging and challenging them to grow with his expert guidance. He has developed a robust kung fu curriculum and a very welcoming culture that brings out the best in people. My husband and I started as adult students at Dragon Claw Academy a year ago and we cannot think of a better place to grow in strength, skill, and confidence.
We are happy with the teachings our son has received from Shifu Aaron. Dragon Claw has an excellent welcoming environment for everyone motivated to pursue a path in martial arts.