Ownership: Von Curtis, Inc.
Co-director: Kenda Woodward
Co-director: Taylor Ingram
Operations Leader: Rhiannon Beach
Sales Leader: Rhiannon Beach
Financial Services Leaders: Joaida Baiza and Laura Vasquez
Financial Aid Assistant: Margarita Gonzalez
Admission Team: Kenny Bronfeld and Tonya Gonzalez
Enrollment Leader: Baylie Suarez
Education Leader: Michelle Barr
Future Professional Advisor: Ashley Dubrock
Front Desk Lead: Alicia Molina
Front Desk Coordinators: Michelle Loyd, Jacob Reynolds, and Kennedy Parcell
Core Leader: Edan Dodson and Christopher Morales
Michelle Barr: Education Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK414409
Michelle Barr’s hair story began by joining the Carlton Hair team as an assistant in 2001. In 2002 she got her very own chair where she continued her education with Carlton Hair’s sister company Vidal Sassoon along with other academies such as Goldwell Academy and salon visits with Schwarzkopf. In 2013 she decided to join the management team where she discovered the passion to inspire and educate her team to help them grow. She completed the Master education program in 2013 which led her a position as Carlton Hair’s Director of Education to manage the assistant program.
Taylor Ingram - Co-Director Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK519936
Taylor Ingram began his journey at the school in 2009, quickly after starting in Core he simultaneously started working as a Service Desk Coordinator. He had amazing opportunities as a future professional to assist in Advanced Academy classes. After graduating with honors in 2010, Taylor was asked become a mentor in Core and also mentor under the cutting and color Specialists. Taylor also travels to other schools in the Paul Mitchell network with Winn Claybaugh and George Morales, teaching creative haircutting and color. Currently he leads Student Council, Works with the Advanced Education team. Since 2005 to Present, Taylor has assisted and modeled for Paul Mitchell shows such as Gathering and Caper, working behind the scenes. He has also done work at trade shows with John Paul Mitchell Systems on and off stage. Taylor also has the amazing opportunity to work with the John Paul Mitchell Systems Platform Artist team. He maintains a current California cosmetology license. Taylor is a Learning Leader mentor.
Cosmetology Learning Leaders
Elizabeth Lopez - Learning Leader
Cosmetology License #KK516687
Licensed since 2010, worked for Carlton Hair(corporate salon) from 2011 to 2019 during that time work her way up from stylist to mentor stylist , managed 3 locations and became part of their education team. Currently owns a studio in Tustin, Ca. Focusing on the latest trends but really enjoys educating the future professionals.
Giselle Lopez- Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK535151
Giselle Lopez is a Learning Leader at Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa. She is a homegrown of the school and has never left since she started in 2009. She has previously had positions as state board specialist and theory leader, making her a well-rounded young stylist. Giselle now leads Core in the night school program and hopes to stay in that position for a long, long time as being in the classroom is her passion. When not creating magic at the school, she enjoys listening to music, going to music festivals, concerts, and shows, and knitting or crocheting cozy scarves.
Caitlin Rynearson: Leaning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK537344
Caitlin decided to pursue hair styling at the age of 19, graduating after dedicating herself to 9 months full time in school. After graduating, going and passing state board made all the hours and hard work that much more rewarding. Started off in a salon right away as a stylist assistant and worked her way up to apprentice stylist and front desk manager over a Span of 3 years. Next she decided it was time to make a Salon change for further personal growth and moved to her now Salon home in Costa Mesa. There she continued to apprentice with the owner of the Salon and grew her own clientele and is now the salons, platinum blonde and extensions specialist. She then decided she still desired more self growth and pursued hair education at Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa. She now is part time in the Salon and part time educating as a learning leader at the school and loves them both passionately.
Ashley Dubrock- Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License # KK528667
Ashley is a Learning Leader and Design Team Leader at Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa. Born and raised in Orange County, she started her journey in the hair business by attending Paul Mitchell the School in 2010. Going above and beyond, she entered NAHA, Beacon, and graduated on the Dean’s List. After becoming a California licensed cosmetologist, she moved to Burbank to further her education and study at Makeup Designery where she learned Beauty and Special Effects Makeup techniques. Ashley’s passion for education sparked as a Future Professional, and led her to come back and be part of the team.
Erica Perez - Learning Leader
Cosmetology License KK508186
I have been in the hair industry for 11 years. I started my career as a stylist for Carlton Hair International. There I became a Master hair stylist and Master Educator. As a Master educator, I prepared our new assistants for the company and taught hands on classes. I was a manager for 2 years of a salon. I now rent a station, as well as do weddings and events on weekends. As well as continuing to educate our future hair professionals.
Edan Dodson - Learning Leader
Cosmetology License KK570838
Edan has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2015. She has been in the industry for 15 years. Hair and education have both always been a few things that they have been passionate about. She has always wanted to go in the education route and still continue to work behind the chair as well. She is so happy to be apart of Paul Mitchell and get to have this amazing opportunity as a Learning Leader.
Chris Secor - Learning Leader / Theory Specialist Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK415640
Chris Secor graduated from Paul Mitchell The School – Costa Mesa in 2002. He has been a successful stylist and is an excellent craftsman and educator. Chris loves being in the professional beauty industry because it allows him to build relationships with people and to give back. Chris says that being at Paul Mitchell The School gives him the opportunity to help people learn and feel great about themselves. “Being a part of this process is very fulfilling, because people who feel beautiful are beautiful, and people who feel beautiful are more likely to be beautiful to themselves and to others,” Chris says. Chris currently serves in Phase Two on the clinic floor. He maintains a current California cosmetology license.
Karen Spinelli - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK110330
Karen Spinelli is the Professional Development Specialist here at Paul Mitchell the school. Before coming to Paul Mitchell, Karen was a Hairstylist in Pasadena for 35 years and the Director of Salon Education for 20 years. Her passion, curiosity, and love of this industry gives Karen the privileged position of educating and mentoring the next generation of Hairstylists. When you can’t find Karen with students you’ll find her barefoot, enjoying the sunset.
Veronica Lafarge - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK490794
Veronica is best known as professional hair stylist and make up artist. With no client or event too small, her talents ranged from the local salon, to photo shoots, and international weddings. Her 16 years of dedication to her clients was fueled by a genuine love of the industry, a commitment to excellence, and a passion for bringing out every woman’s inner beauty. Veronica continues to use these traits to teach and inspire the next generation of beauty professionals.
Esmeralda Duenas - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK436499
Esmeralda has been behind the chair as a hairdresser and educator for 20 years. She taught for various companies from haircutting to coloring, and styling, and helped with business-building skills. Esmeralda finds inspiration in an eclectic mix of street style and high fashion.
Ryan Mongar - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK606748
Ryan Mongar also known as Ry specializes in all things hair color. He is notorious for his vivids and blondes. Hair is Ry's passion and he can't wait to share his knowledge with the students.
Amanda Black - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #KK544369
Amanda is homegrown and graduated from PMTS Temecula in 2012. After almost twelve years specializing in color behind the chair, Amanda is excited to be a part of the PMTS Costa Mesa team where she can reconnect to her roots and share what she's learned behind the chair with future professionals. Amanda enjoys working with Future Professionals on the clinic floor and guiding them through salon reality experiences. As someone who still remembers the impact her learning leaders had on her career, Amanda takes joy in providing future professionals with the tools and lessons necessary for their cosmetology journey.
Barbering Learning Leaders:
Fernie Andong- Learning Leader Full -time
Barbering License #B87061
Cosmetology License #KK477306
Fernie has been in the industry for 12 Years. He has his Barber and Cosmetology license and has been an educator with PMTS, JPMS, DeadEndz, and Hattori Hanzo. His accomplishments are finalist for BTC #OneShot awards 2017, 2016, 2015. He has also been featured in the state board Milady's 2017 edition of the Barbering Textbook. Fernie helped create The Men's Cutting System DVD for Paul Mitchell Schools, and is recognized often in Modern Salon Magazine, Behind The Chair, American Salon Magazine, Launchpad, Hair Brained, Huffington Post, Refinery 29 for the ( Clipper Bob ), Artist for The Butterfly Circus LA, Photo Shoots etc.
Alfredo (Freddy) Razo-Learning Leader Full-time
Barber License #B85216
A Los Angeles native, Freddy Razo licensed for 10 years, Barber Education Leader for Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa and former Senior Educator of Johnny B. Hair Care. Razo loves the traditional aspects of hair cutting, however, always thinks outside the box. His passion for teaching was highly regarded and led him to oversee the Barbering Program at Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa. Here he has the opportunity to teach and guide young minds at the beginning of their Barbering Career. Razo’s work has been featured in various industry publications such as Modern Salon, Paul Mitchell School Marketing Materials, Johnny B Marketing Material.
David Valenzuela - Learning Leader Full-time
Barber License #B86432
David was licensed in 2009 and worked as a barber at City Love Naples. They have been working as a barber for 14 plus years, and in the course of this time they have managed and opened barbershops. Time and experience has brought them here to help Future Professionals develop barber skills and get them ready for the barber industry.
Zach Hernandez - Learning Leader Full-time
Barber License #B95237
Zach Hernandez has been in the industry as a licensed barber for 7 years. He takes pride in his craft and works to better the Barber industry by preparing the future professionals to the best of his ability. Zach specializes in traditional haircuts and modern haircuts.
Julian Afanador - Learning Leader Full-time
Barber License #B90964
Julian Afanador has been a Barber in the hair industry for 10 years now, specializing in many different short hair , long hair, & beard contouring with straight razor services.
Esthetics Learning Leaders:
Lisa Waters: Learning Leader Full-time
Esthetician License #Z84828
Lisa Waters is fully present in the art and craft of esthetics and skin treatments. She has progressively helped many women and men, of all ages, by understanding the stages of the skin and how it correlates to their lifestyle.
Lisa became a licensed Esthetician after graduating from Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa, The Skin Academy in 2009 and quickly began her career as an Esthetician working for a busy medical spa in Orange County, CA where she started learning advanced techniques in chemical peels and treatment room protocols. Lisa began to attend industry related conferences and courses gaining extensive knowledge in product lines, ingredients, and top industry trends. After multiple certifications, including becoming a Face Reality Certified Acne Specialist and a member of the Associated Skin Care Professionals and the California Aesthetic Alliance, Lisa decided to step up in her career and became the manager of the medical spa she was working for, learning the ins and outs of the industry. Lisa’s next move was to venture out on her own by building a strong clientele to put her knowledge to good use. Experiencing all the industry had to offer, Lisa decided she wanted to share her knowledge in esthetics.
In February 2018, Lisa joined the Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa team as a Skin Learning Leader. She is currently expanding, and sharing, her knowledge and continuing education with certifications in all things esthetic. Lisa loves to educate by setting a high standard for the Future Professionals of the industry.
Thomas Mutter: Learning Leader
Esthetics License #Z84247
Tom started with the PMTS Education team in 2009. He attended PMTS Costa Mesa Esthetics program and was approached near the end of his course about possibly taking on education as a career. Focused only on working in a spa and had never given teaching any thought, nor havin ghad the privilege of teaching before. Prior to starting his education Tom was working in the transportation industry., handling a lot of the Paul Mitchell Flat Iron distribution for Sally Beauty Stores. This was Tom's only exposure to the Beauty Industry. Once he started he has never looked back. He gets to live his passion every day. In his free time, Tom is either spending time with his family or going out to eat at local restaurants or traveling.
Emma Baltotano - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #Z127006
Emma Baltotano has been a Licensed Esthetician for 5 years now. She’s worked in an independent
day spa, holistic spa, medical spa and a franchised spa, Emma has experience in multiple types of work environments. She recently joined the Paul Mitchell the school.
Antoniette LeDuff - Learning Leader Part-time
Cosmetology License #ZZ75355
Antoinette LeDuff grew up in the hair salon. With a Cosmetologist mother she spent most of her childhood sleeping under the warmth of hair dryers, massaging clients feet to make an extra buck, sweeping, brewing coffee, folding towels, and emerging herself in the self care world. As a child Antoinette knew she desired a career in skin care. Watching her mother’s nightly skin care routine and learning about Cleopatra’s milk baths inspired her to become an Esthetician. Immediately after graduating high school she attended a local beauty college. Over the last almost 17 years she’s managed a salon spa, grown her own personal business as well as others, and worked for franchise's such as Massage Envy and European Wax Center. Now being a Learning Leader at Paul Mitchell the school, Antoinette feels humbly privileged to be able to enjoy continuing her love for esthetics by helping others emerge into the beauty world.
Francie Hart - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #ZZ71532
Francie has been in the beauty industry her entire working career starting as a hair and makeup artist for the film industry. In 2007 Francie became a licensed esthetician and in 2013 she received her Post Graduate certification for international diplomacy as a beauty and esthetic’s expert by CIDESCO International Education Institution of Zurich, Switzerland. Since then, Francie has been teaching for various makeup and beauty colleges while still freelancing for commercials and fashion shows. In 2023 Francie joined the team at Paul Mitchell in Costa Mesa as a learning leader for the day time Esthetician program.
Ashley Smith - Learning Leader Full-time
Cosmetology License #Z161454
Ashley Smith is a passionate and seasoned Aesthetician, Laser Technician & Educator who holds over 20 years of industry experience, with a wealth of individual and combined knowledge.