Success Stories – Pivot Point International

As International Artistic Director for Pivot Point, Yolly ten Koppel travels the world to perform at hair shows and provide education to schools and professionals. Having served as a leading artist in fashion capitals around the world such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, Milan and New York, Yolly delivers powerful hair designing statements that artistically blend the practical with the avant-garde. She is a recipient of the Coiffure Award in her native country, the Netherlands. She has styled hair for music videos, been a featured stylist for TV makeover shows and is a three-time winner of the U.S. Educator of the Year award.

Ann Bray is a treasured teacher, artist and mentor to hair designers worldwide. In 1978, Ann was the first American female to win the World Championship of Hairdressing. She also trained the only U.S. Women’s Team to win Gold in the World Championships of Hairdressing, won the 2006 North American Hair Stylist Award and was even knighted in Paris for her achievements. Today, Aquage products utilizes her extraordinary talent and she owns The Masters, a celebrated salon in Huntsville, Alabama. Most recently, Ann has been involved with the hair designs used in the second, third and fourth installments of the Hunger Games series.

David Raccuglia began his career at the Pivot Point Academy in Chicago and is the founder of American Crew product company. With American Crew, David brought men’s grooming products to the salon and created a whole new product category. Today, American Crew is an iconic brand name that continues to define style, set trends and specialize in men’s grooming worldwide. He is also a recognized photographer.

Shortly after completing her Pivot Point education, Angela Christine was offered the opportunity to be a platform artist for Universal Beauty Products. Currently, she spends her time between Chicago and Los Angeles servicing clients in both locations when she is not on sets. Angela has worked with some of Hollywood’s most famous, including Rihanna, Eve, Keke Palmer, Garcelle Beauvais, Tia Mowry and many more.

Styling the hair of George Clooney, Viggo Mortensen, Ryan Gosling, Liam Hemsworth and Matt Damon is just a day in the working life of Pivot Point grad Diana Schmidtke. Diana’s expertise and attention to detail have led her to work on numerous films and magazines from coast to coast. Some of these revered publications include Vanity Fair, Vogue, Esquire and GQ to name a few. She also released her own book titled “ShortCuts to a Successful Career as a Hairstylist or Makeup Artist in the Fashion and Entertainment Industry.” As an educator, she continues to lecture around the world.

After graduating from Pivot Point Academy, Andre quickly became well-known among Chicago’s fashionable elite for his hair and style expertise. This led him to becoming Oprah Winfrey’s one and only personal stylist. His work has also appeared in numerous fashion magazines. Other celebrities he’s styled include Michelle Obama, Barbara Bush, and he is also credited with creating Halle Berry’s signature short pixie haircut. Winner of seven Daytime Emmy Awards and the 2009 Thurgood Marshall Fashion Icon Award, Andre has published his own book titled, Andre Talks Hair.

Alex Rivera, Chicago-born cosmetologist, make-up educator and Platform Artist for Fromm Beauty uncovered a talent and passion for beauty after enrolling in Pivot Point Academy. He launched a YouTube channel and Instagram account, where he rapidly gained a following of nearly 40,000 inspired followers hungry for his tutorials. You can find Rivera on platforms around the country for Fromm Beauty, on YouTube demoing special effects make-up or on Instagram.

Vice President of Creative and Education and Co-founder of Aquage, Luis Alvarez is a hair designer, educator, photographer and entrepreneur. He’s also a passionate Pivot Point alum who has gone on to receive numerous awards, including the first annual Leo Passage Educator of the Year Award in 2011 at Intercoiffure’s Fall Atelier in New York City.

An accomplished Pivot Point grad and educator, Tasheara Neshell has built herself an A-list clientele, including Jennifer Hudson, Viola Davis and many more. Her work has appeared on the covers and pages of the editorial magazines, red carpet events and stages of the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, NAACP Awards and more.

Once a Pivot Point student, now Lock & Loaded Artistic Director, Eli Mancha has presented his looks globally from Australia to Asia and throughout the United States as one of today’s leading stage artists. He is currently owner and lead stylist of Bang Salon in Chicago. In 2011, Eli was selected North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) Hairstylist of the Year.

Fashion and beauty are intrinsically linked in the explosive career of Gretta Monahan. She was one of Rachael Ray’s daytime TV buddies and dispenses advice to countless consumers. All the while she manages Grettacole, her Boston salon and spa, Gretta Luxe fashion boutique and G-Spa, a beauty and fashion hot spot.

As Editor in Chief of Modern Salon magazine, Alison shaped the voice, content and design for the magazine, websites and social platforms–collaborating with artists and brands on photoshoot planning and layouts for the magazine, web exclusives, launches, global event coverage and breaking news. Alison oversaw the content creation on all of Modern Salon’s platforms, giving Modern’s vibrant and engaged followers the platform to share their talent and work with the world of professional beauty. Her love for the professional beauty industry grew even deeper after she enrolled in beauty school at Pivot Point Academy, working as an editor by day and a student by night. As a beauty editor and licensed cosmetologist, Alison is passionate about the professional salon industry. Alison is currently the Vice President of Community and Social Media at R+Co. Alison is building R+Co’s community of hairdressers, leading the brand’s social media innovation, strengthening the brand’s digital and social media footprint, coordinating unique collaborations between icons and influencers, and bringing R+Co even closer to stylists and salons through the brand’s R+Co Love affiliate program.

Dwight Miller is a widely acclaimed World Master Hairdesigner and industry leader, having spent 50 years influencing industry changes in hair fashion and technique through his work with companies that include Marinello-Comer, Lapin’s, Redken, Pivot Point, Vidal Sassoon, Zotos, Matrix, American Crew, John Freida and others. A true industry authority, educated by Pivot Point founder Leo Passage, he has traveled the world sharing his knowledge and developing new talent.

Christine started her career in cosmetology at the age of 18 when she moved to Europe to work as a hairdresser after her graduation from beauty school. She then moved back to the states to work for Redken at numerous positions throughout the company, eventually being named the Senior Vice President of Education Worldwide for both Redken and Pureology. Under Christine’s leadership, Redken education has become a benchmark for advanced education. Most recently, she has accepted a new role as Sr. VP of Education for L’Oreal’s Professional Products Division in the United States.

Daniel began his career as a colorist in the renowned culture of Vidal Sassoon; and is now an active member on the Goldwell Artistic Team and the Lead Color director at Dennis Bartolomei Salon. In 2011, he was a New Talent Semi-Finalist at the Goldwell Color Zoom Challenge and was the USA Partner Finalist in 2012. Daniel has only been a part of the industry for a short time, but his achievements have already earned him international recognition. In 2014 he placed as a finalist in the North American Hairdressing Awards Color Category. Daniel’s latest accomplishment came in 2016 when he was awarded the global title at Color Zoom ’16. When not behind the chair or teaching, Daniel is working on his next editorial shoot.

Pivot Point graduates are known for quickly making moves in the industry and finding unique, creative ways to show off their skills while continuously developing their talent. Inez Doe is the driving force behind UFancii Beauty Bar LLC and a distributor of UFancii Brazillian hair wefts. She has made an impact on the social network scene as well for her Fancii JuNk CuRlZ. Sitings of her talent have appeared in Denim Magazine and on the runways of fashion shows.

Manuel Rodriguez is recognized as one of the best platform artists, competitors and acclaimed educators of the profession. He joined Pivot Point International in 1983 and soon became an influential part of the educational team. In 1992, Manuel won the World Championship Supreme and became a member of the World Team shortly after. He continues to travel the globe with education that exceeds the industry standard and has taught in over 40 countries.

Following college, where Michael “Rahni” Flowers studied as a pre-med/psychology major, he enrolled at Pivot Point International to receive his degree in cosmetology. After graduation, Michael trained and worked at Vidal Sassoon for several years before opening his own salon in Chicago. First Lady Michelle Obama has been a regular client of Flowers, even having the honor to style the entire First Family for the 2009 Inauguration. Flowers has worked with a number of other celebrities, including Kerry Washington, Marilyn McCoo, Nancy Wilson and Regina Taylor.

Joakim Roos is a 5-time world hairdressing champion and global champion trainer who started his career at the tender age of 9. His impressive resume includes OMC World Achievement Gold Medalist, European Cup Gold Medalist, America’s Gold Cup Medalist, Nordic Champion Gold Medalist, and recipient of Intercoiffure Personality of the Year. He has also been on the OMC Global Artistic Team, OMC World Artistic Director, and Global Director of Education.

Joseph’s career in hairdressing began in 1984 when he graduated with honors and the highest-grade point average from Pivot Point Academy. In 1988, he co-founded the luxury hair salon, Genacelli, which became an Intercoiffure member – the international invitation-only organization of salons. Joseph rose to prominence in the industry and was a sought-after speaker, consultant, product ambassador, and educator. As an educator, Joseph developed and facilitated various seminars on hairdressing throughout the U.S., Europe, and China. He was an active member, long- serving board member, and past President of Cosmetologists Chicago. He was also honored with the Pivot Point’s prestigious L.E.O. award, which recognizes outstanding alumni in the salon industry who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in education.

Jamie DiGrazia (she/they) is a proud graduate of a Pivot Point school, and a celebrated stylist, educator, and LGBTQIA2S+ advocate. She is the founder of HAIR HAS NO GENDER™, a nonprofit redefining inclusive practices in the professional beauty industry. Jamie is also an award-winning Redken Artist and Sam Villa Ambassador, known for her innovative work in gender-affirming, textured hairstyling and her salon, Logan Parlor, has earned multiple honors. With a human-first philosophy, Jamie inspires the industry to create affirming spaces where everyone feels safe, seen, and celebrated through hair.

Leo Passage (1936–2011) was a visionary educator, innovator, and founder of Pivot Point International, the global leader in beauty, barbering, and wellness education. Born in Belgium and later immigrating to the United States, Leo combined European artistry with a passion for elevating the craft, transforming beauty education from a trade into a respected profession. In 1962, he established Pivot Point in Chicago, introducing a structured, design-focused curriculum that emphasized creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Under his leadership, Pivot Point grew into an international movement, reaching over 70 countries and inspiring generations of professionals. His legacy lives on through Pivot Point’s continued innovation and through the countless lives shaped by his belief that education can transform both individuals and industries.