Master Darren Norris returned to Hapkido training under the tutelage of Master Dennis Corn who also taught Aikido in Hendersonville. Master Corn holds a 5th degree black belt in Hapkido with the prestigious Korean Hapkido Federation, 2nd degree black belt in Aikido and 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Around 2002 Master Corn, who had a reputation for brutally effective technique, retired and named Master Darren Norris chief instructor of his school, Aikido and Hapkido of Hendersonville.
In 2003, after having met and trained with the President of the Korean Hapkido Federation, Master Darren Norris was made the North Carolina State Representative for the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association. In 2004 Master Darren Norris was honored as a Hapkido instructor by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council and was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Hapkido Instructor of the Year.
In 2008 Master Darren Norris was promoted to 4th degree black belt in Haemukwan Hapkido and awarded the title of Master by the Korean Hapkido Federation. Also in 2008 Master Darren Norris earned the position of United States East Coast Representative for the KMAIA., and voted to the KMAIA World Council.
Master Darren Norris continued his accomplishments in 2009 when he was inducted into the Action Radio Network & World Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame as the Hapkido Master of the year. The school that he shares with his partner Master Travis Ginn, ( also inducted into the Hall of Fame as Tang Soo Do Master of the year) was awarded Traditional School of The Year at the ceremony in Clearwater Florida.
Master Darren Norris was honored once again by the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association (KMAIA) by being the first person in the U.S. certified to teach the KMAIA Weapons Course and is currently booking dates to teach this certification course in the U.S.
Master Darren Norris also continues to teach Aikido and is 2nd degree black belt with the US Aikido Federation under Yoshimitsu Yamada. He is the host of the Annual Aikido Hapkido of Hendersonville Seminar that will be held in May, 2011.
