Your Teachers

Deanna Douglas has worked in the industry of Cosmetology for 30+ years. She has won both men’s and women’s cut and style competitions while apprenticing under a passionate team of hairstylists in British Columbia. After achieving her Red Seal Inter-provincial qualification in Hairstyling, she then moved to Alberta to become a certified Aesthetician. She worked in the spa at the world-famous Banff Springs Hotel and the prestigious York Street Spa here in Ottawa. 

Deanna took some time to travel and teach English in Taiwan to business professionals and children. While teaching in Taiwan, she realized she needed to pursue her passion of hairstyling and education. Upon her return to Canada, Deanna became an Aveda education coach while working as a manager, hairstylist and esthetician. She mentored many young talented individuals through their apprenticeship before joining Algonquin College, first part-time and then as a professor in 2010.

She continues to educate herself both as a facilitator and hairstylist to stay up on current trends. Deanna feels privileged to share her experiences and passion with her students. Her love of competition has not faded. She has co-coached three students to win medals at the Ontario Skills Competition and one to Nationals representing Algonquin College.

Among many dedicated hairstylists, owners, educators and supporters in the trade of Hairstyling, Deanna sits as the secretary on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Professional Hairstylists Association. The mission to promote, protect and progress the trade of Hairstyling is near to her heart. OPHA has had many successes but the largest was to have Skilled Trades Ontario plan to introduce the practical portion of the Red Seal exam in Ontario, which enables all young Hairstylist Apprentices to one day become Inter-Provincially qualified Hairstylists.

Tara Ettinger has over 28 years of experience as a hair stylist. She has a diverse background which includes training in cosmetology and as a professional make-up artist. She is also is a master colourist and wig enhancement specialist.

With over 20 years of teaching experience Tara recognizes the importance of lifelong learning.  This is a practice that she not only preaches to her students and peers but also follows herself and as such holds a Master of Arts in Learning and Technology as well as over 14 certificates/diplomas related to Cosmetology and Teaching fields including but not limited to: Hair Stylist Diploma, Red Seal Journeyman Hairstylist, Professional Makeup artist, Master Colourist, Nail Technician and TALL Program.

Canada’s new Prime Minister is getting world-wide attention… for his hair! And it turns out there’s an Algonquin College connection to his coif – Stefania Capovilla, a part-time faculty member in our Hairstylist program, is the stylist behind his ‘do. The Toronto Star recently wrote about Trudeau and his locks, featuring Stefania Capovilla’s Instagram photo, which reads “When an old friend gets a new job…he gets a haircut!”. 

The Star writes “Capovilla has been taming Trudeau’s tresses for years — and, in a 2012 article in the National Post, copped to styling the locks of other political elites of all stripes, from former prime minister Stephen Harper to Trudeau’s mom, Margaret Trudeau.” Read full the article. It’s no surprise that our students are learning from the best of the best! Stefania began teaching at Algonquin in January 2015, and opened her own Salon & Blow Dry Bar, Society Salon on Sparks Street in June 2016.

Mariella DiBello has been teaching in Algonquin College’s Hairstyling program  for the past eight years and is a hairstylist at Serenity Spa. She grew up in the industry, beginning her career over 35 years ago alongside her father, an entrepreneur/hairstylist. After completing her apprenticeship with Algonquin college, she kicked off her career by opening her own business in 1986. Her passion for hairstyling and understanding of the business led her to travel to places like Toronto, Montreal, New York, Las Vegas, Houston, and Orlando. On these ventures she did stage work, training and seminars with renowned hairstylist Farouk Shami.

Mariella has acquired her Red Seal certification and is constantly educating herself on the latest trends and styles through barbering, colouring, and cutting courses. The combination of her deep passion for hairstyling and education led her to share her vast experience to help pave the pathways of the next generation of hairstylists.