The Advanced Academy Teams
Director of Education for Paul Mitchell Schools and the Advanced Academy
Those who can, do. Those who teach do it better!
—Brennan Claybaugh
—Brennan Claybaugh
Brennan Claybaugh
A 1985 graduate of the first Paul Mitchell School (Von Curtis Academy in Provo, Utah), Brennan Claybaugh is an accomplished stylist, colorist, and educator. He is the Director of Education for Paul Mitchell Schools and the Advanced Academy and co-owner of the Hair Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School in Rexburg, Idaho. As one of Paul Mitchell's top school educators and presenters, Brennan moves his audiences with fun, emotion, and information to create necessary change and growth.The Advanced Academy Cutting Team
Members of the Advanced Academy Cutting Team train and certify Paul Mitchell Schools' Learning Leaders in our cutting system. Team members also lead the Advanced Academy cutting classes, including 3-Day Core Cutting, 3-Day Adaptive Cutting, 3-Day Men's Haircutting, and 5-Day Core and Adaptive Cutting.
Michael Helm – Cutting Education Leader
Mike Helm is a successful Learning Leader, Master Educator, and Advanced Academy Cutting Education Leader who loves to share his expertise. He is a partner in Paul Mitchell The School – Phoenix, teaches advanced courses, and has helped to create and develop many school programs. Mike’s work can be seen in numerous trade magazines, including the cover of Hair Color and Design. He is president of the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation and has completed several 545-mile AIDS/LifeCycle rides.
Chad Austin
By working with some of the most well known, respected hairstylists in the industry, Chad Austin honed his skills as a Cutting and Color Specialist for Paul Mitchell The School in Salt Lake City. After a decade in salons, Chad recognized his passion for teaching and has helped to expand the men’s cutting curriculum for Paul Mitchell Schools. As a member of the Advanced Academy Cutting Team, Chad enjoys the opportunity to motivate and watch Future Professionals and peers succeed.
Thomas Marcell Burton
A 26-year industry veteran and the owner-manager of two salons, Thomas Marcell Burton specializes in various hair textures, cutting, coloring, and relaxing. He has served as a Learning Leader, Cutting Specialist, show coordinator, and team builder of two Paul Mitchell Partner Schools (Rudy and Kelly and the Temple). Thomas says his greatest passion is education and his biggest joy is seeing the sparkle in the eyes of new and veteran stylists.
Matthew Butler
A creative, classic haircutter, Matthew Butler blends a strong foundation with a design-driven esthetic and is known for his incredibly clean and versatile work. Matthew has been creative director for a major salon chain, a platform artist, and lead stylist for the VH1 and Teen Choice Awards shows. He currently serves as the Cutting Specialist at Paul Mitchell The School – Costa Mesa, where he has mentored and inspired hundreds of Paul Mitchell School graduates now thriving in the beauty industry.
Douglas Christensen
In just six years, Douglas Christensen went from Von Curtis Academy graduate (now Paul Mitchell The School – Provo) to owner of Nevada’s Reno Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School. An accomplished stylist, Douglas served as an educational leader at a prestigious Las Vegas salon and has worked with numerous celebrities. In his roles as Cutting Specialist and Advanced Academy Cutting Team member, Douglas travels around the United States sharing his enthusiasm and passion for education.
Dave Holland
Paul Mitchell School graduate Dave Holland has worked in the industry since 1996. A full-time stylist and member of the artistic team at Lunatic Fringe salon in Salt Lake City, Dave is a Cutting Specialist at the Provo and Salt Lake City Paul Mitchell Schools. As a member of the PAC team, he has worked onstage with industry icons and with Hollywood stars including Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler. Dave completed the 545-mile AIDS/LifeCycle ride, and his work has been featured in leading magazines.
Aracely Montoya
In 2003, Aracely Montoya was one of the first Learning Leaders to join the Cosmetology Institute – A Paul Mitchell Partner School in Temecula, California. Learning the Paul Mitchell culture inspired Aracely to take her passion for hair cutting and education to the next level: she joined the Advanced Academy Cutting Team, where she continues to grow and share her knowledge. Aracely creates magic through her belief that success is reached when shared with others.
Ann Risner
Ann Risner has been a Paul Mitchell National Educator since 2001 and has appeared at trade shows with renowned artists such as Robert Cromeans, Stephanie Kocielski, Scott Cole, and Linda Yodice. Ann also owns a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon and serves as the Cutting Specialist and Education Leader at the Wisconsin Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School. Her greatest passions are sharing her knowledge of our Paul Mitchell systems, seeing others succeed, and being a brand-new grandmother.
Renee Russo
Renee Russo fell in love with hairdressing at a young age and followed in her mother’s footsteps after college. A stylist at Connecticut’s Color Bar and Wash House–award winning Captiva Salon Paul Mitchell, Renee has worked with fashion designers and industry icons on editorial photo shoots and New York Fashion Week 2008. A Cutting Specialist and mentor at North Haven Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School, Renee is passionate about educating and inspiring Future Professionals.
Kent Skinner
Level 4 Cutting and Color Specialist, National Educator, and Senior Associate Kent Skinner brings information, humor, and artistry to hairdressing education. A musician and performance artist with a degree in studio art, Kent has worked with renowned artists including Robert Cromeans and Stephanie Kocielski. He has performed for several years at a Dallas children’s burn hospital invitational benefit and he volunteered at the Paul Mitchell Schools’ Habitat for Humanity build in Louisiana.
Chris Tornatore
Third-generation cosmetologist Chris Tornatore began his career in 1980 and has been a stylist, salon owner, artistic director, platform artist, and advanced haircutting instructor. A Learning Leader and Cutting Specialist since 2003, he currently serves as Education Leader at the Reno Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School. Chris loves bringing education to the schools and believes his greatest strength is his ability to break difficult concepts into understandable pieces for all learners.The Advanced Academy Color Team
Members of the Advanced Academy Color Team train and certify Paul Mitchell Schools' Learning Leaders in our unique color system, which focuses on placing color in relation to the haircut. Team members also lead the Advanced Academy color classes, including 3-Day Core Color, 3-Day Adaptive Color, 3-Day Core Cut and Color, and 3-Day Adaptive Cut and Color.
Audra Turner – Color Education Leader
After graduating from Von Curtis Academy (now Paul Mitchell The School – Provo) in 1988, Audra Turner became a Paul Mitchell National Educator, Senior Associate, and member of the PAC and Task Force teams. A salon owner since 1996, Audra instills an atmosphere of education into her salon, saying, “Education is the key to continued success in this industry, the water to grow a stylist.” Audra enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of hair while teaching at schools and gatherings.
Kate Caussey
Kate Caussey worked for five years as a Brocato National Educator before becoming a Learning Leader at Von Curtis Academy (now Paul Mitchell The School – Provo). She has done print work and TV commercials, owned a successful salon, and served as a Paul Mitchell National Educator and PAC team member. Kate is integral in color curriculum development and program implementation, including the Core Cutting DVD program. She is a breast cancer survivor and avid fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Tara Dowdal
A licensed cosmetologist since 1995, Tara Dowdal was a Paul Mitchell Associate before joining Paul Mitchell The School – Orlando as a Multiple Intelligence Specialist. With certifications from several product lines, Tara has appeared at the Premiere Orlando Beauty Show and several local hair shows and styled hair for a locally televised Children’s Miracle Network event. Her philanthropic work includes cutting hair and collecting blankets for the homeless and coordinating canned food drives.
Taryn Lamb
After graduating from Von Curtis Academy (now Paul Mitchell The School – Provo), Taryn Lamb discovered a love for color that brought her to the Advanced Academy Color Team. Her passion for teaching and training led her to become a mentor both personally and professionally. Taryn’s contagious energy and excitement inspire her audiences to make the changes necessary to reach their dreams.
Kathy Lazier
Kathy Lazier started playing with hair in the second grade and entered the hairdressing industry in 1982. As a Paul Mitchell National Educator and Premier National Educator, she has taught all levels of learners, from Future Professionals to expert salon stylists. She shares her passion for hair color both technically and artistically, from the heart and with humor. When Kathy is not traveling or teaching, she practices refining the art of color at her Los Angeles hair studio.
Jackie Nielsen
Jackie Nielsen is a graduate of Von Curtis Academy, now Paul Mitchell The School – Provo, where she works full time. She also travels the country as a color educator, platform artist, and print artist and has worked with top stylists such as Vivienne Mackinder, Stephanie Kocielski, Linda Yodice, and Robert Cromeans. Jackie loves sharing her vast knowledge and passion with our Future Professionals, who are always delighted and inspired by her fun and fashion-forward image.
Cassandra Sanchez
Cassandra Sanchez has been a stylist since 1992, spending 13 years in salons where she built a great clientele. Her photo shoots have appeared in Newport Coast magazine and she has done television work with comedian George Lopez. She completed advanced training with Vidal Sassoon and several color companies before becoming the Color Specialist at Paul Mitchell The School – Costa Mesa. Cassandra loves sharing her knowledge and training instructors on the Paul Mitchell color systems.
Nico Scegiel
After graduating from the Scott Cole Academy, Nico Scegiel continued working as a Paul Mitchell Associate and assisting at hair shows. Currently the Color Specialist at Paul Mitchell The School – San Diego and a stylist at A Robert Cromeans Salon in downtown San Diego, Nico’s specialties include color, texture, makeup, and extensions. Her creativity, easygoing personality, and love for education make Nico a brilliant specialist and Learning Leader.
Laura P. Valdez
Passionate about the beauty industry and all it has to offer, Laura Valdez stepped from her salon business background to the stylist's role in 1997. A Paul Mitchell National Color Educator and successful Partner School owner in Austin, Texas, Laura is a lifetime learner who creates fun, engaging learning environments in all areas of her school. She embraces life with a positive outlook, believes in giving back to the world, and helped rebuild Louisiana homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.The Advanced Academy Makeup Team
Members of the Advanced Academy Makeup Team train and certify Paul Mitchell Schools' Learning Leaders in our makeup system. Team members also lead the 3-day Advanced Academy makeup class, which takes learners through the "whys" of makeup application, not just the "hows."
Devri Ficklin – Makeup Education Leader
Since 1983, Devri Ficklin has passionately coordinated and inspired teams of hairstylists and makeup artists in her roles as salon owner, special effects director, author, motivational speaker, and Paul Mitchell School owner. As Paul Mitchell Schools’ Makeup Education Leader and Director of Product Development, Devri achieved a 25-year goal with the nationwide release of the Paul Mitchell Schools makeup curriculum. Her attention to detail and ability to connect inspire creativity in others.
Debra Dietrich
With a successful career in hair/makeup, film (Milk, My Bloody Valentine 3D), television (NBC's Trauma and Parenthood pilot), print, theater, and salons, Debra Dietrich is a respected coach and mentor who creates magic in every class. A member of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Local 706, she provides networking opportunities and has coached 500+ Future Professionals through their first professional photo shoot. She directs Spa Getaway, a national fundraiser for people with disabilities, and supports Ms. Wheelchair America.
Jan Ryan
Jan Ryan has always had a love for education. After earning a degree in business, she ran a successful salon for 14 years. She joined Paul Mitchell The School – Costa Mesa in 2001 and has taught in all areas of the curriculum. In addition to her participation on the Advanced Academy Makeup Team, Jan is a Phase Two Specialist, a motivational speaker, and a breast cancer survivor.The Advanced Academy Texture Team
Members of the Advanced Academy Texture Team train and certify Paul Mitchell Schools' Learning Leaders in all areas of texture, including permanent waving, relaxing, styling, and finishing.
Jodi Wonacott – Texture Education Leader
A 1993 graduate of the original Paul Mitchell School (Von Curtis Academy in Provo, Utah), Jodi Wonacott joined our program in 1998 as an educational trainer. As the Product Development Specialist she helps create the guides and materials necessary to run a successful school and provide topnotch education. Jodi was also instrumental in creating and developing the Paul Mitchell Schools texture curriculum. An exciting and passionate educator, she has an amazing ability to make learning fun.
David Marc Campbell
David Marc Campbell has built his career in the beauty industry since 1994. A National Educator with John Paul Mitchell Systems since 2003, David has a passion for texture that broadens his additional positions as Texture Specialist at Paul Mitchell The School – Tampa and Paul Mitchell Advanced Academy, successful salon professional, and Paul Mitchell platform artist. David’s passion and skills also include makeup, relaxers, perm service, and blow drying, making him a multitalented superstylist.
Aubrey Harley
Aubrey Harley has been a Senior Educator and platform artist for John Paul Mitchell Systems since 1994. His work has been published in numerous trade magazines and he has traveled across the United States, getting hairdressers and Future Professionals excited about habits that keep them motivated. When he's not on the road, Aubrey enjoys his role as texture specialist at the Carolina Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School.
Kevin Michaels
Since 1989, Kevin Michaels has been part of the Paul Mitchell family, moving from Senior Associate to Executive Advisor Coordinator to Master Associate. A successful salon owner and Paul Mitchell School director, Kevin has been a MASTERS Audio Club guest and creative master for TV commercials and MTV music videos. His work has been featured in industry magazines, and his mastery of hair texture has led to his success as a stylist, educator, and co-creator of our texture curriculum.The Advanced Academy Long Hair Team
The Advanced Academy Long Hair program builds a foundation on the basics of long-hair styling and then expands that knowledge to increase confidence and career opportunities. Team members lead the 2-day Long Hair class, which features current trends, quick up-styles, and in-depth techniques that help learners develop their own creativity.
George Morales – Long Hair Education Leader
A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, George Morales brings a fashion background to the beauty industry. He worked with Nordstrom and other top companies and was an educator and platform artist for Aquage before becoming a Paul Mitchell Schools Learning Leader, Branding Specialist, and school owner. A celebrity stylist, George regularly works at LA Fashion Week. He also coaches many school fashion shows and the annual student presentation at the Paul Mitchell Gathering.