Advanced Academy Team

Director of Education for Paul Mitchell Schools and the Advanced Academy

"Those who can, do. Those who teach, do it better."
– 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. In his role as Director of Education for Paul Mitchell Schools and Paul Mitchell Advanced Academy, Brennan loves working with a team to create learning materials, guides and textbooks, systems, trainings, and DVDs. His recent accomplishments include serving as executive producer for The Color System and The Cutting System DVDs and training materials, and he is currently working on The Men’s Cutting System. As one of Paul Mitchell's top educators and presenters, Brennan moves his audiences with fun, emotion, and information to create necessary change and growth.

Advanced Academy 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.

Lead Cutting Specialist

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.

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.

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.

Advanced Academy 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.

Lead Color Specialist

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 Paul Mitchell Core Cutting DVD program. She is a breast cancer survivor and avid fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

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 Hospitals event. Her philanthropic work includes cutting hair and collecting blankets for the homeless and coordinating canned food drives.

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.

Advanced Academy 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.

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, exciting hairdressers and Future Professionals 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.

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 multi-talented superstylist.

Advanced Academy 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. 

With a successful career in hair and makeup and experience in film (Milk, 2008), print, theater, and salons, Debra Dietrich is a natural educator who creates magic in every class she teaches. Her membership in the IATSE Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Guild (Local 706) and her session experience make her a respected mentor, coach, and technical contributor to the Paul Mitchell Schools makeup curriculum. She also spearheads Spa Getaway, a national fundraiser to benefit people with disabilities.

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.

As a little girl playing with makeup and giving haircuts to dolls, Jasmine Brock fell in love with the beauty industry. Her ongoing passion resulted in years of successful work in a salon, on TV and film sets, and at New York Fashion Week. A Learning Leader at Paul Mitchell The School – San Antonio, Jasmine says there’s nothing more fulfilling than fueling the passion in eager Future Professionals who want a career in the industry.

After graduating from a Paul Mitchell school in 2006, Robyn became a full-time hairdresser at a Paul Mitchell salon in the Seattle area. She became a National Color Educator with John Paul Mitchell Systems and a Learning Leader with Paul Mitchell Schools. Currently, Robyn works for Paul Mitchell The School Dallas and travels with the Advanced Academy Color Team for Paul Mitchell Advanced Education, spreading color knowledge to Learning Leaders and Future Professionals.

A graduate and former Learning Leader at Trendsetters College of Cosmetology (now Paul Mitchell The School Bradley), Christian Gaytan pursued his dream of moving to the city when he joined Paul Mitchell The School Chicago. He has held every education position in the school, including his current role as Lead Cutting Specialist. He works part-time at the Hair Loft Ltd. and represents John Paul Mitchell Systems as a National Educator. “I educate because I want to help people realize their potential the same way I was helped to realize my own,” Christian says.