My Kung Fu Instructor - Sifu Cooper
Martial Arts
Sharon is a World Champion Martial Artist and holds a 6th-degree black belt in White Dragon Fist Pai Lum Kung Fu, 2d 2nd-degree black belt in Tai Chi under Sifu Clarence Cooper. As Sifu Cooper encourages his students to study various styles, Sharon began training in Taekwondo with Master Julio Lugo at Triumph Martial Arts, Bronx, NY in 2020 and received her First Dan Black Belt in December of 2023. She has taught kung fu and tai chi at Pine Manor College, Amigos Cambridgeport Community Afterschool, Fenway Community Center, Dance Complex Summer Sizzle Program, Milton Academy, and Students of Color Conference 2016 in South Hamilton, MA. She assisted Sifu Clarence Cooper and Sifu Malcolm Lucas in workshops and classes at the Tobin Community Center from 2010-2022 and currently teaches seminars and workshops at White Tiger Karate in NH. In addition to her competing and teaching, Sharon was the fight choreographer for Berklee Theater Arts Collaborative, Theater for Young Audiences Spring 2022 production of ‘Robin Hood: The Truth About Maid Marian” directed by Rene Pfister. Contact sharon.montella@gmail.com.
Championships:
WFMAF 2024 Title Southern Kung Fu Open Hand and Short Weapons, Northern Kung Fu Open Hand, Other Kung Fu Weapon and Open Style Tai Ji Quan
NASKA World Champion 2020-2023 Forms and Weapons
NASKA Overall Grand Champion Forms 2022
KRANE National, State, and Triple Crown Winner 2019-2021, 2023. Virtual Overall Grand for Weapons 2020 and Forms and Weapons 2021
Gold Medal Winner
Malee Khow’s New England Chinese Martial Arts Championship Hartford, CT 2019-2020, earning her a place on the US Kung Fu/Wushu Team
Nick Scrima’s International Chinese Martial Arts Championship in 2017-2019
Silver Medal Winner
WKC Orlando, Florida - Women’s Soft Style Chinese and Kempo Forms 2021
US KuoShu Tournament in Baltimore, MD in 2022 - Women’s Advanced Forms and Weapons
WFMAF 13th World Open Martial Arts Championship October 5, 2024 - 1st Place Gold Medalist for Southern Kung Fu Open Hand and Short Weapons, Northern Kung Fu Open Hand, Other Kung Fu Weapon and Open Style Tai Ji Quan
WFMAF 13th World Open Martial Arts Championship 10.5.24. Top L to R: Colleague Denise Schepper of One Step Beyond Karate, Anna Laughey of White Tiger Karate Pai Lum, Colleague Casey from Chapman Martial Arts; 2d row: Charlotte Watts from White Tiger Karate Pai Lum, Tournament Vice President Dan Marshall, Judge Ricky Wong of Rick Wong’s Chinese Martial Arts Center; Bottom Row: Gracelynn Kelley of White Tiger Karate Pai Lum, Judge Jonathan Simon of Greenwich Kempo, Judge Han Cheng of Shaolin Praying Mantis
NASKA 2022 Grand Champion Trophies: Ocean State, RI (Forms), Amerikick, NJ (Weapons), MVP (Ocean State), Toronto Tournament of Champions (Forms and Weapons)
2023 NASKA World Champion Belt for Creative Weapons! Final 2023 Results: World and National Champion Creative Weapons; World and National Top Ten for Chinese Forms and Weapons and Trad. Forms and Weapons
2023 NASKA World Champion Ring for Creative Weapons and World Top Ten Ring for Chinese Forms and Weapons and Traditional Forms and Weapons
NASKA 2022 Overall Grand Champion and World Champion Belts Bestowed at the NASKA 2022 Awards Banquet Hyatt Regency Chicago .19.23 by NASKA President Larry Carnahan
NASKA 2022 Awards Banquet Hyatt Regency Chicago IL 1.19.23. Upper Left: Sharon with Master Dennis Brown, Mr. John Palitti, and NASKA President Larry Carnahan; Lower Left: Mr. John Sharkey with NASKA World Champions Pauline Seremetis and Sharon Montella. THANK YOU to my Kung Fu Instructor, mentor, and inspiration SIFU CLARENCE COOPER, @cla12009 Disciple of Grandmaster Daniel K.Pai for all he has taught me over the years and without whose instruction in the beautiful Pai Lum forms I would have none of these achievements. I would like to note Sifu Cooper won the Third world title in Taipei Taiwan in 1978 and the 1st Place Spirit Fighting Award in the same event.
NASKA AKA Warrior Cup Tournament, Chicago IL Jan. 20-21, 2023. 1st Place Gold for Traditional Forms and Weapons and Creative Weapons. 2d Place Silver for Chinese Forms and Weapons
KRANE Summer Triple Crown, RI. July 30, 2023. 1st Place Forms and Weapons
Toronto International Tournament of Champions 12.3.22 - 1st Place Trad. Forms and Weapons, Chinese Forms and Weapons, Creative Weapons. Grand Champion Forms and Weapons
Images from Toronto Weapons Divisions 12.3.22
Friends and Colleagues at Toronto Tournament of Champions 12.3.22. Upper Left: Pauline Seremetis + Erin Smith. Upper Right: Lin McGann-Barclay and Marie-Josee Paradis of Canada. Middle Left: Monica Sulaiman from Mexico City. Lower Left: Julian Shamuon after his great bo staff seminar. Lower Right: Alex Bouyer
Diamond Nationals, Minneapolis, MN 10.22.22! Sharon 1st Place Trad. and Creative Weapons. Lower Left: with Denise Wells gold medal winner Trad. Forms; Lower Right with Kung Fu colleagues Louis Davis and Gary Esselman of Southern Praying Mantic MN, Alex of Team Mantis, Alex Bouyer of Al Bender Kung Fu
Amerikick Internationals, Atlantic City NJ 8.20.22. Sharon Grand Champion Weapons, 1st Pl Trad. Forms + Weapons, Creative Weapons, Chinese Forms and Weapons. On Right: Friends and Colleagues! Upper L Donna Consiglia + Pauline Seremitis. Upper R- Mikhail + Alex Bouye of Al Bender Kung Fu. Lower L- Denise Schepper - One Step Beyond Karate. Lower R Judges + Competitors Roxanne Duyon + JoAnn Sainz. Center Judge Dennis Brown. A great time with wonderful people!
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL KUO SHU CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT 2022!
United States Kuo Shu Federation International Tournament 7.30.22; pictured above: Sharon and Pai Lum Colleague Juan Williams who took the Silver for Men’s Advanced Southern Style Kung Fu. Below: Female Group Competitor Photo and Medals. Super exciting, large divisions, supportive team spirit among all competitors with fantastic skill, precision, focus and strength. This was an especially meaningful tournament for the Pai Lum Northeast Dragons because our White Dragon Fist Pai Lum Grandmaster, Daniel Kane Pai and Sifu Clarence Cooper were invited to host the Third World Kuoshu Tournament in 1980 after White Dragon Fist students took Most Outstanding Demonstration and Sifu Cooper took the Third World Title and First Place Fighting Spirit Award in 1978 in Taipei, Taiwan. Thank you, USKSF!! #usksf www.usksf.org
USKSF United States Kuo Shu Federation Tournament 7.29-7.31.22 in Huntsville MD.
Sifu Clarence Cooper presents Sharon with the MVP Award at the Grand Opening of White Tiger Karate as the new Pai Lum Headquarters for the Northeast 7.10.22. This award was originally earned at the Ocean State Grand Nationals in Warwick RI 4.9.22 when seven of our Pai Lum Northeast Dragons competed. Sifu Sharon won Grand Champion Forms, 1st Place forms and weapons and 3d place creative/musical weapons at the Ocean States. Much gratitude to all the Pai Lum Dragons who were able to come out to compete!
Thank you Sifu Cooper for the MVP award at the Grand Opening of White Tiger Karate as the new Pai Lum Headquarters for the Northeast 7.10.22.
Ocean State Grand Nationals RI 4.9.22. Grand Champion Cup - Forms and NASKA 2021 Virtual World Champion Rings presented 4.9.22
Grateful
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Grateful 〰️
NASKA 2020 Virtual Tour - World Champion Forms and Demonstrations; Top 10 Sparring Skills Challenge
School Recognition Award presented to Pai Lum Northeast Dragons 3.5.22 at KRANE Awards Banquet, Warwick, RI
2021 Virtual World Championship Rings - thank you NASKA
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2021 Virtual World Championship Rings - thank you NASKA 〰️
2021 NASKA Virtual World Championship Rings presented at Ocean State Grand Nationals 4.9.22 for Women’s Overall Forms and Weapons, Traditional Forms and Weapons, Chinese Forms, CMX Weapons, Sparring Skills Challenge
6 Beautiful NASKA Virtual World Champion Rings (made by Doris Bros.) - thank you NASKA for the awesome 2020 Virtual Competition and the 8.21.21 Award Ceremony. Women’s Overall Forms and Weapons, Traditional Forms and Weapons, CMX Weapons, Sparring Skills Challenge
WKC Worlds Orlando FL 2021
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WKC Worlds Orlando FL 2021 〰️
Pai Lum Northeast White Dragon Fist Kung Fu colleagues Sifu Sharon and Juan Williams @drawdialusion under Sifu Clarence Cooper, disciple of Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai, originator and founder of White Dragon Fist Style Kung Fu were chosen for the USA TEAM AT WORLD KARATE COMMISSION Worlds Tournament October 23-29, 2021. Sifu Sharon won Silver Medals for Chinese Soft Style Form and Women’s Kempo Forms.
Thank you KRANE and Don and Christine Rodrigues
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Thank you KRANE and Don and Christine Rodrigues 〰️
PAI LUM DRAGON PENDANT designed by SIFU CLARENCE COOPER
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PAI LUM DRAGON PENDANT designed by SIFU CLARENCE COOPER 〰️
The new PAI LUM DRAGON/TIGER PENDANT Sifu Clarence has designed as a special jewelry piece with lasting meaning, a symbol of the bringing together of all our Pai Lum brothers and sisters in the Northeast. The donation of $35 will help send Sifu Sharon and Juan Williams to the WKC World Tournament and also gives free access to clinics and workshops. They come with either 18 or 24 inch chain. Venmo: @Cheryl-Gardner-64 and we will ship it right out. Or call us at 617.283.4596!
FUN TO BE ON THAT PODIUM - WKC WORLDS ORLANDO FL 10.29.21
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FUN TO BE ON THAT PODIUM - WKC WORLDS ORLANDO FL 10.29.21 〰️
2021 WKC World Tournament - Silver Medals in Chinese Traditional and World Kempo Forms 10.28.21. Competitors from 10 countries: US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic and Ecuador - wonderful people, comraderie amongst competitors!
Thankful to KRANE, NASKA, NY Independence Cup for the opportunity in 2020 to stay in the ring virtually until all competitors, family and friends can be together again.
K.R.A.N.E. Awards Banquet 3.7.20 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Providence, RI
Lifetime Contribution in the Martial Arts Award at Hall of Honors, Atlantic City, NJ 1.26.20 with Jasmine Bernier
Certificates, Medals, Trophies
Gold Medals at New England International Chinese Martial Arts Championship 11.2.19 in Hartford CT. Qualifying results for the USAWKF (USA Kung Fu Wushu) Team!!
Having fun outside on a chilly day after the KRANE tournament 11.10.19 in Warwick, RI - All my Pai Lum brothers and sister earned first and second place medals! Jwan Cater and Sharon were Triple Crown Winners!
K.R.A.N.E. Triple Crown Winner (!) for 1st place in three tournaments 3.2.19, 7.28.19 and 11.10.19, Warwick, RI.
Silver medal advanced women's empty hand - ICMAC Orlando 6.30.18. An honor to perform in the evening Masters Demonstration as well with so many incredible martial artists!
4.7.18 My first Ocean State Grand Nationals (!). Krane Tournament/NASKA - placed in black belt divisions for traditional weapons and empty hand form. So many amazing competitors! It was inspiring to be there and see them and to cheer each other on!
October 1, 2017. Blessed to take Gold Medal for Advanced Women's Empty Hand Forms, Silver Medal for Broadsword Form, Bronze for Tai Chi at International Chinese Martial Arts Championship in Boston.
ICMAC Tournament Boston 10.1.17
Gold Medal Adv. Empty Hand
Silver
Medal Adv. Weapons Forms
Bronze Medal Tai Chi
Nice to pose for photo when it's over!
Saturday, July 1, 2017
International Chinese Martial Arts Championship in Orlando, FL
Bronze Medal in Advanced Women's Kung Fu Forms; Silver Medal in Advanced Women's Tai Chi
Met so many talented martial artists and great people in Orlando. The competitions were followed by a
stunning performance of demonstrators from martial arts schools around the world!
Just practicing that side kick to warm up for my event - pants look a little short!
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Sifu Divine Marshall and Sifu Sharon at ICMAC Tournament Orlando, FL
THE JOY OF TEAMING UP WITH MY WHITE DRAGON FIST PAI LUM NORTHEAST DRAGONS COLLEAUGE
Nov. 4, 2017. Power Health Tour at Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester. Go Florence!! She can really throw those punches so much that I need the red and blue striking pad to deflect!
Power Health Tour participant Rodney Thurmond. He trains in Karate and, after one Kung Fu lesson, he's ready to go!
Saturday, June 11th, 2016
World Martial Arts Federation Karate/Kung Fu Tournament
1st Place in Advance Weapons
Date: Nov. 11, 2016
Place: Medford High School
Details: WMAF Karate/Kung Fu Tournament. Sharon 2d place Advanced Kung Fu Weapons and Forms. See WMAF Fall Tournament photos page: http://thewmaf.org/page2/page25/index.html.
Sifu Sharon has been training in White Dragon Fist Style Pai Lum for over 20 years under Sifu Clarence Cooper, disciple of Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai. She is a 2022 NASKA Overall Grand Champion, 2022 and 2020 NASKA World Champion, 2021 NASKA World Top 10, 2022 KRANE National and State Champion, 2019-2021 KRANE National, State, and Triple Crown Winner. On the KRANE Virtual Circuit Sharon holds Grand Champion Titles in her divisions for 2020 and 2021. She was the Gold Medal winner for Advanced Forms and Weapons in her divisions at New England Chinese Martial Arts Championship in Hartford, CT in 2019, earning her a place on the USA Kung Fu Wushu Team. She has earned competition medals up and down the east coast and internationally on the virtual circuit as well, completing at Nick Scrima’s International Chinese Martial Arts Championship in 2017-2018 and taking the Silver Medal in Chinese Soft Style and Women’s Kempo at WKC Worlds Tournament in Orlando Florida October 2021. Sifu Sharon has taught Kung Fu and Tai Chi at Pine Manor College, Amigos Cambridgeport Community Afterschool Program, Milton Academy Afterschool Program, Fenway Community Center, Students of Color Conference 2016, privately and at Pai Lum summer camp to benefit students of Sifu Malcolm Lucas in his Northeast Dragons program. She is a 6th Degree Black Belt in White Dragon Fist Pai Lum Kung Fu in the Pai Lum Northeast Dragons Association under Sifu Clarence Cooper. In addition to her study in Chinese Martial Arts, Sharon trains in Taekwondo under Master Julio Lugo of Triumph Martial Arts, Bronx, NY.
Midway Artist Open Studios Boston 10.14.23 - Sharon with Tyrone Perry, Emmanuel Religieux, Juan Williams