KELLY STOBART – Stylist & Owner
kelly@beautyandbalancesalon.com
Kelly brings her experience as a Master Stylist from TRIO Salon Chicago
and as a Director at Art + Science to her own hair salon - Beauty and
Balance. At both salons, she educated and trained up-and-coming stylists
in various cutting and styling techniques, and was voted “Most
Inspirational Staff Member” in 2005 at Art + Science. Kelly received
advanced training from Suki’s Academy in Vancouver, Vidal Sassoon London, Vidal Sassoon Santa Monica, California
and Vidal Sassoon Toronto. Kelly has also completed advanced
business training at Bumble and Bumble Academy in New York. Her work has been featured
at many fashion shows including Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue,
Marshall Fields and the Art Institute of Chicago. Kelly attended
the Landmark Forum Training and has done make-overs on the Jenny Jones
Show. Kelly worked exclusively with photographer Takamasa
Ota on the 2010 photo shoots for Beauty and Balance.
Kelly focuses much of her free time giving back to others. Not only does
Kelly volunteer at hospice, but she assists in the care of newborn
children as a Cradle Adoption Volunteer. She is a committee member for
the “Day of Beauty” for battered women and is a stylist for their events. When it comes to fitness, Kelly is a certified Spin Instructor and
competes in triathlons for breast cancer awareness. In her personal
time, Kelly enjoys cooking, traveling, yoga, mixing music, and creating
collages (visual art work).
DAWN STOBART – Colorist & Owner..
dawn@beautyandbalancesalon.com
Dawn comes to Beauty and Balance with an extensive
background in the hospitality industry and as a colorist at Pascal Pour
Elle. She graduated at the top of her class from The Aveda Institute
Chicago (AIC), received extensive colorist training at Pascal Pour Elle,
and completed advanced education classes with Goldwell Color Systems.
Most recently, she received an invitation as one of 125 applicants to
sit on the 2006 Advisory Board Panel for AIC where she gave feedback on
curriculum and participant needs. Dawn has also completed advanced
business training at Bumble and Bumble Academy in New York. Her warm personality and attention to
detail give her color clientele a wonderful experience that is worth
repeating. Dawn worked exclusively with photographer
Takamasa Ota on the 2010 photo shoots for Beauty and Balance.
Prior to entering the hair salon industry, Dawn was an Event Planner and
Coordinator where she traveled nationally and internationally. Dawn
planned meetings and other events for high level executives, medical
professionals, and a women’s clothing line, and she also coordinated
weddings and social events for high end clientele. She graduated from
the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a major in Hospitality and
Tourism Management, and received a masters level certification for
meeting/event planning and services. When she’s not coloring hair, Dawn
enjoys reading and cooking.
MELANIE
ABRAMOWITZ - Senior Stylist
info@beautyandbalancesalon.com
Melanie, “Mel” as we call her, comes to Beauty and Balance with
seventeen years experience. She was formally trained at Pivot Point
International and continued her advanced training at Art & Science
Salon in 1993 when her most popular cut was “the Rachel”. Not only
does Melanie enjoy a diverse clientele including men, women, and
children, she also loves working with ethnic hair, curly textures,
classic and creative shapes.
Throughout her career Melanie continued her own advanced education
while traveling to Santa Monica, CA to attend the Vidal Sassoon
Academy as well as training and traveling with Modern Organic
Products (AKA M.O.P.) Not only has she taught in salons around the
country, she has also become part of our training staff at Beauty ad
Balance. Her passions include all things Disney, anything pink, and
the 1950’s and 1960’s aesthetic. We are so excited to have her join
our team.
KATIE BAILEY - Stylist
info@beautyandbalancesalon.com
Katie comes to Beauty and Balance with over 8 years of experience. After
receiving her B.A. in English from the University of Iowa, Katie's
passion for hair brought her back to Illinois where she attended and
graduated from Pivot Point International. Her career began as an
assistant in Evanston, Illinois with Art + Science Salon, where she
furthered her training for another year and a half. While Katie worked
her way up to become a Director Stylist with the salon she also became
part of the educational program, training incoming assistants as well as
helping re-write the cutting curriculum. During her career at Art +
Science, Katie had extensive training with the men's grooming line,
American Crew as well as M.O.P., also known as Modern Organic Products.
Katie's favorite "hair moment" was when she was chosen to travel to
Majorca, Spain and attend an international hair show. When Katie is not
cutting hair, she secretly loves watching NASCAR racing, spending time
with her new husband and attending to her flower boxes (not everyone can
have a green thumb).
HELEN TRAGAS – Stylist
info@beautyandbalancesalon.com
Helen comes to Beauty and Balance with over 7 years of experience. She
started her collegiate carer at Oakton Community College where she
earned her Associates in Liberal Arts. Soon after, her passion for the
hair industry brought her to the Niles School of Cosmetology. After
graduating in 2000, Helen pursued an apprenticeship at Art & Science in
Evanston, IL. With over a year of advanced training under her belt, she
began her career and quickly made a name for herself with her talent,
gentleness, and REAL approach to hair inevitably gaining a strong
following. When Helen is not working behind the chair she loves to work
out, dance, and visit with friends. Her goal is to make it back to
Greece as soon as possible where she still has lots of family and
friends. Beauty and Balance is thrilled to have Helen join their team.
JEFF ASHLOCK - Senior Colorist
info@beautyandbalancesalon.com
Jeffrey came to Beauty and Balance with over twenty years in the
salon industry. After spending nine years in Peru, Illinois, Jeffrey
moved to Chicago to work at Art + Science salon in Evanston where
after a short time he became the director of color and education.
Jeffrey has extensive training in many color lines including
Goldwell and Framesi. Jeffrey was a regional educator for Framesi
for a number of years and also attended a special week long training
program at the Goldwell Academy in London. Jeff became the go-to-guy
for trouble shooting. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys weekend
getaways, cooking of all sorts and just started home canning. When
the sunny months are here he also enjoys gardening as well as just a
relaxing day at home.
AREK PORCZYNSKI - Hair Colorist
info@beautyandbalancesalon.com
Beauty and Balance’s most recent team member Arek was born in the
city of Gizycko, which is recognized as one of the seven world
wonders of nature in Mazury-Poland. Arek comes to Beauty and Balance
with 4 years of art school education as well as over two years of
apprenticeship at Trio salon-Chicago which offers a highly selective
post-graduate program in hair design that has produced many of the
top hair designers in the world today. By being present,
compassionate and listening to his guests, Arek can create effective
end-result with color that keep guests coming back for more. During
his 6 years of coloring hair Arek has worked with color lines like
such as Goldwell, Wella ,Aveda ,Kune, Alffapart , and Loreal Redken.
Not only is Arek an amazing colorist but is also able to improve
guests hair texture by performing complex Keratin treatments and
straighteners. In Arek’s spare time, he loves to practice yoga and
meditation.
