PRO Hair: Graduate Highlights
The Blanche Macdonald Centre is pleased to highlight some of our notable alumni. These Pro Hair School graduates have excelled both personally and professionally, making an impact on a local, national and global scale. Read about their success and how Blanche Macdonald impacted where they are today.
Ana Luisa Valdes
Professional Hairstyling Graduate
Professional Hair Stylist at TONY & GUY - from Mexico to Vancouver
Not every student at Blanche Macdonald arrives with a crystal ball providing step-by-step directions to a glittering future career. For Ana Luisa Valdés, Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduate and Art Director at the multiple award-winning Kitsilano, Vancouver branch of Toni&Guy, success has more to do with seizing inspiration and opportunities than long-term plans.
Hailing from Tampico, Mexico, the precise details of the start of Ana Luisa’s journey to Vancouver have already faded from memory.
“I really don’t remember how I started cutting hair,” she laughs, taking a break from her busy schedule at Toni&Guy. “It was just for fun. I had no training. It was something natural to me. My aunts would call and they’d get me to cut their hair with the same scissors they used in the garden. My sister-in-law ran a hair salon in Tampico. She saw me doing hair and said that I should help her in the salon.”
When the suggestion came that she should enhance her natural talent with some formal training, Ana Luisa investigated the possibility of a dramatic change of scenery.
“I’d been to Vancouver before, and I’d always liked it. One of my girlfriends from Mexico lived here and said that I should try out Blanche Macdonald. I heard it was one of the best schools. And the brochure they sent me looked really interesting.”
Read more about Professional Hairstyling Graduate Ana Luisa Valdes
Heather Hall
Professional Hairstyling Graduate
Professional Hair Stylist at The Colour Room Salon and Esthetics - Delta, BC
Heather Hall, BMC Pro Hair Graduate - What she says about her experience at Blanche Macdonald
“BMC was an amazing experience! I learned everything and more about the hair industry from technique to client satisfaction in a challenging environment that kept me on my toes daily. I chose BMC based on the college's reputation and feel like it was a great step towards my career. BMC is recognizable in the industry and set me up with the theory and techniques required to make it in the real hair world. I'd like to thank the instructors; they are the brains and strength behind the success of each and every student.
Thank you for the time spent on ensuring that I successfully completed the program as well as the determination that led me to where I am upon graduation. As of now, I am a stylist at the Colour Room Salon and Esthetics in Delta, BC. Without the training I received at BMC I would not be where I am. I am very grateful and recommend the program to aspiring stylists.
You will cherish the time spent and the people you will meet. In the hub of downtown Vancouver, BMC is at the best location for the industry. Contacts and clients are everywhere and it is all about how you apply yourself. BMC is where it’s at!
Thanks Papa Phil! Much love to all the instructors and admin, without you, hair school would have been a very different experience.”
Jeff Sudnicki and Sam Baxter
Professional Hairstyling Graduates
Professional Hair Stylists at Rain - Vancouver, BC
Rain is one of Vancouver’s elite boutique salons; an upbeat hive of style where racks of designer clothes complement the work of a team of extraordinary young stylists. That team now includes not one, but two graduates from the Blanche Macdonald Centre’s Pro Hair Program, Jeff Sudnicki and Sam Baxter.
He’s a small town boy from Ontario with a radical sense of style. She’s a well-travelled psychology graduate from Vancouver. They share the same salon floor, but Jeff and Sam’s drastically different routes to Rain prove there are many ways to launch a successful career as a hair stylist.
“I moved to Vancouver with no money from Thunder Bay and I cut my own hair for the first couple of years I lived here. Out of necessity really,” recalls Jeff. “A stylist friend of mine told me I had great hair and that put the idea in my brain. I’d always been into style and fashion. The more I thought about it, the more I thought hair was the perfect career course for me.”
Sam had pursued a counselling career after finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Queen’s University.
“After about two years doing a variety of jobs, I realised I didn’t want to do counselling,” she explains. “Traditional psychology careers were too heavy for me. One day I had a poignant conversation with my hair stylist. I explained how I was interested in fashion, business, style and the arts. She said that I sounded a lot like her and asked if I had ever considered hair styling? As soon as she said that I started investigating the idea, and I enrolled at Blanche Macdonald a week later. I looked at a few schools and Blanche Macdonald seemed like it had the most extensive program. It offered the most.”
Read more about Professional Hairstyling Graduates Jeff Sudnicki and Sam Baxter
Katherine Macdonald
Professional Hairstyling Graduate
Professional Hair Stylist at Vancouver's top hair studio "The Lounge" - Vancouver, Canada
Katt MacDonald, BMC Pro Hair Graduate - What she says about her experience at Blanche Macdonald
"I looked into the Blanche Macdonald Centre’s Makeup program and when I found out they had started a Hair program, I knew I should do it. It was an opportunity to finally follow a passion I have had since I was young. The program seemed like it would be a perfect fit for me and it was. I had a great experience at Blanche Madonald, my class was great and I loved my teachers. They really got to know our skill level and us. They knew what we were capable of and pushed us to our limits. Blanche Macdonald opens the door to students to be able to work in salons during their training and it's up to us to take advantage of that and prove we can do it.
I think the big difference that sets the Blanche Macdonald Centre apart from other schools is the extra things we are taught, such as an introduction to TV and Film and period hairstyles. We learn how to develop business plans and the costs and responsibilities of salon ownership. We touch on Photoshop and learn to design business cards. At the end of the day, these extra skills will set Blanche Macdonald students apart from others, which is the basis of the hair industry, to set you apart from others. I started working at the award-winning Lounge Hair Studio in Yaletown six months before graduating from Blanche Macdonald. I had the opportunity of being on the floor as an Associate Stylist just days after graduating.
I have just had my one-year anniversary as a stylist and after a year of client building, I love every second of it. I have participated in a few photo shoots, some which have been entered in the Mirror Awards. Working for such big names in the industry and getting that caliber of education has definitely impacted my skills and way of thinking about hair. Our salon just recently had a two-day private class with Damien Carney, International Artistic Director for Joico and it was absolutely an amazing opportunity.
I absolutely would recommend the Blanche Macdonald Centre to people that are serious about working in this industry. After making the change from university and the business sector, working at a brokerage firm, to the creative industry of styling, there is no doubt in my mind I have made the right choice."
Read more about Professional Hairstyling Graduate Katherine Macodonald
Shelly Overend
Professional Hairstyling Graduate
Professional Hair Stylist at Vancouver's prestigious "L'Atelier" Hair Salon - Vancouver, Canada
Shelly-Marie Overend, BMC Pro Hair graduate - What she says about her experience at Blanche Macdonald
"The Pro Hair Design program teaches more than just the basics. Blanche Macdonald's high standards in education and their students, sets the footprints to put you and your career in the right direction. I chose Blanche Macdonald because the success students have obtained upon completion in the Fashion/Film industry; no other hair school in Vancouver offers this. Upon completion I had three jobs offers before I had even started looking for employment. I am presently working at L'Atelier hair salon in Yaletown (in Vancouver) and am also a freelance stylist."
Read more about Professional Hairstyling Graduate Shelly Overend
Sophie McMullin
Professional Hairstyling Graduate
Professional Hair Stylist at East Vanity Parlour - Vancouver BC
They didn’t just break the mould when they made stylist and Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduate Sophie McMullin. They smashed the mould with a hammer, put the fragments in a blender, buried what was left and built condos over the top for good measure. Her extravagant plume of hair (black, white and purple at the time of writing) grabs your attention. The incredible tattoo of Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s monster on her right shoulder puts it in a vice grip. Soon he’ll have a tattoo of Elsa Lanchester, the original Bride of Frankenstein, on Sophie’s left shoulder for company.
Sophie’s unique attitude and remarkable talent has turned her into one of BC’s most in-demand hair stylists, a star at Vancouver’s shrine to vintage glamour glory, East Vanity Parlour.
Read more about Professional Hairstyling Graduate Sophie McMullin
Bonnie Sexsmith-Buker
Image 1, Powell River BC
"I chose BMC because it is a well known name in the industry and the program outline dealt with the entire Cosmetology industry such as Hair knowledge for Salon, Fashion, TV and Film, Make up and Art and Technology. BMC gave me opportunities to volunteer at fashion shows as well as work on some photo shoots while I was still in school.
I enjoyed my time there and I'm now a full time stylist and extension technician at a trendy salon."
Charlotte Gee
Rush Salon - London England
“Since graduating from the Hair program, I have moved to London England and now work at one of the fastest growing salons in the London & Surrey area. Rush, the company I work for, has 32 salons and is 'the salon' to work for. I attended Blanche Macdonald B.C because I had always been told it was the best school to go to. I now work at the best salon in London. I truly believe I would not have had to confidence to even apply to work in the best salons if I had not had the best training!”
Emilie E Klaussen
Toni & Guy, Vancouver BC
"Blanche Macdonald's program and instructors gave me the confidence and skills to throw myself into an industry where I am able to be creative and inspiring. The ongoing practical application of skills learned and outside work experience really helped me to cultivate an understanding of the industry. Thanks so much to everyone at Blanche!"
ROLL CALL
A selection of Blanche Macdonald Hair graduates and their career placements.
Adriana Vero Emma & Co
Alex Duford Mario Pro Hair Design
AlexaRae Hamilton Atomic
Alex Kraubner Elianes
Alissa Shalagan Avant Garde
Alissia West Abantu
Alyssa Meek Joie de Vivre
Ana Luisa Valdes Toni & Guy
Andrea Turley Mint Hair Lounge
Angela Livotte Synergy
Angelica Frangolias Firefly
Angeline Greening MegaHair
Angeline Prasad Toni & Guy
Annalisa Sidonio Aveda
Asal Shahin Sets Salon and Spa
Ashley Budden Whip
Ashley Hathaway Great Clips
Ashley Rowan Karma Hair Lounge
Atefeh Baradaran Bambu
Beth Butchko Holts Salon and Spa
Bonnie Sexsmith-Buker Image 1
Bob Gaba Sonu
Brian Linn Toni & Guy
Brittany Kilburn Urban Hair
Brittany Tims Ask
Candice McLean Absolute
Candice Tisseur Eterna Salon and Day Spa
Carmen Elebracht Creations
Carolyn Velasco Toni & Guy
Cindy Duerst Zone 4 Hair Salon
Chantelle Hodgson Knock-Outs
Charlotte Gee Rush Salon
Chelsea Kapiniak Cutting Café
Chelsey Cardinal Temptations
Christina Mutch Maude
Christy Mullin Canvas Salon
Christy Mullin Canvas Salon
Crystal Morgan MoHair
Cynthia Prost Holts
Dani Mitchell Stratosphere
Danielle Dalshaug Munro's
Danielle Oushal Canvas Salon
Donald MacPherson Aveda
Elizabeth Ferrier Euphoria
Elizabeth Moul The Ridge
Emilie E Klaussen Toni & Guy
Emily Hope On the Fringe Hair Design
Emily Vu On the Fringe Hair Design
Enola Medina Mega Hair
Eva Chao Le Spot
Gabriela Rojas Sets Salon and Spa
Heather Hall Colour Room
Heather Williams Glass Hair Studio
Hsu-Feng Tsung Mega Hair
James Hou Laelle
Jamie Allison Steiner Transocean
Jee-Hyun Woo Aveda
Jeff Sudnicki Rain
Jennifer Ault Genta Bella
Jennifer Louangxay Whip
Jennifer Reid Bryley
Jessica Basso Glass Hair Studio
Jessica Lee Palmer Pretty Boutique and Salon
Jessica Krumin Firefly
Jessica Packman ARQ Hair Workshop
Jodi Gould Bryley
Jordana Patterson Modas Operandi
Julie Ius Stratosphere
Kala Maines Embellished
Kaleesha Glazer Euphoria
Karine Dignard Toni & Guy
Katherine Macdonald The Lounge
Kathleen Sanderson Juice
Katie Maher Vivaci
Katrina Danabassis Aura Salon
Katrina Spoor Blunt Salon
Kira Conrad Working in TV & Film
Kristin McKeown Opus
Kristy Werbenuk Vault Salon and Spa
Krystle Blando Style Lab
Kym Werk On the Fringe Hair Design
Leanna Smithers Salon Owner of Ingle's
Lina Komiya Splash Studios
Lisa Riddell Mirage
Lisa Watson Julien Grenier
Liz Pederson Is
Lourdes Acosta Is
Megan Irish Crimpers
Maggie Andrews Verve Hair
Mahala Boychuk Elysian
Matt McNamee Zennkai
Michael Van Der Est Firefly
Nadine Maier Chatters
Natasha Eland Zazou
Natasha Melendy Trinity
Natasha Smith Style Lab
Natasha Quewezance Zinc
Nicole Findlay Atomic
Nicole Kerr Pretty Boutique and Salon
Pamela Jacek Kaboom
Patricia Manzano Lure
Rachelle Yates Bent
Rasna Dhami Hairspray
Reay Fen Ho Chu Pure Glow
Reeva Calanza Eva Lasting Hair Design
Robin Helenius ARQ Hair Workshop
Samantha Baxter Poppy's Salon
Sanya Karmali Eveline Charles
Sara MacDonald Pure Form
Sarah Hennig Hair Benders
Sarah Krook Chatters
Sarah TaylorBarbarella
Sasha Urbanowski Propaganda
Shelby Sheppard Kast
Shelly Overend L'Atelier
Sophie McMullin East Vanity
Stephanie Barber Aveda
Sue Ho Aveda
Tabitha Brunner Propaganda
Tanya Holm Sets Salon and Spa
Taryn Day Hennessey
Tonya Heppell Hair Club for Men
Tonya Heppell Hair Club for Men
Veronica Chau Hennessey
Zachary Yang Hennessey
Note: some of these hairstyling graduates may have changed positions in the interim.
Are you a BMC Graduate?
Are you a Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduate interested in being profiled? Click here to send us your latest career highlights; we would love to hear from you!