STYLISTS

Nova Vita is owned and operated by senior stylist Rhonda Bernardi. After more than a decade of experience in hair and business, she has developed a strong team of internationally trained stylists to keep the salon vibrant and welcoming for all guests. With over 20 members on staff, including a wonderful European Esthetician, Nova Vita has achieved its success in working as a team, sharing ideas and continuously developing creativity.

Rhonda Bernardi

Trained by Toni & Guy, Vidal Sassoon, Revlon, and Aveda, Rhonda has honed her skills and keeps an incredible enthusiasm for her career. She just loves the art of hairstyling and the power it has to energize the client with a new fresh look. Her passion for people is evident whether it's a long time client chatting in her chair or a fresh new face in for a consultation. Thoroughly trained in the art of makeup, Rhonda can help you turn an evening, an event or a function into an occasion. Treat yourself for make up application—after all, it's not just about the reason, it's about the result! She likes working with curl and showing clients how to use it, move it or create it. By use of a diffuser, curling iron or perm, the trick is getting the client completely involved and showing them how to work the dryer or iron while they are in the chair. As fan of an Aveda product combo, Rhonda loves the height, body and smoothness that comes by combining Phomollient and smoothing fluid. Add a little hair potion, and “wowzers!” she can really play with your hair. Recently completing an advanced razor class, Rhonda has found an amazing array of shapes and styles that can be created with the proper flip and twist of the razor. As an Aveda Salon, Rhonda is proud that Nova Vita styling products are as organic as possible, best for both the clients and environment. And now with an advanced editorial class under her belt, she is excited to combine her passion to give back to the community with her love of fashion through Nova Vita hair shows, photoshoots and other opportunities. Rhonda may be the owner of Nova Vita, but all stylists agree, she's an important and inspiring part of the team with a great passion for hair.

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Dana Candy

Born and raised in London Ontario, Dana started her hairstyling career at Image Group Hairstyling Academy, and joined Nova Vita in 2004. From there, she has been a sponge for any and all information that gives her the ability to help others feel and look beautiful. With courses completed in Aveda Advanced Cutting, Aveda Advanced Colour, Aveda Razoring and Colour Merging, as well as Revlon up-do and colour classes, it shouldn't be surprising that she is also the resident Great Lengths Extensions expert. She spends ample time with each of her clients and collects information during a detailed consultation to ensure the volume and versatility of the Great Lengths Extensions are exactly what the client is looking for. Dana not only loves installing the extensions, but also happens to be one of the fastest installers at Nova Vita. With fine hair herself, Dana loves the volume that Great Lengths Extensions offers for women—with any hair type. She has also recently finished a full makeup course in correlation with the salon. With her determination to set the perfect hair style, you will arrive at your anticipated event with all eyes on you. Ask her to do your makeup and your look will be complete! 
Having many male clients, Dana loves the current trend with men’s hairstyling as it is all about shaggy, messy hair—being sexy…and all about volume. As a creative spirit, who taught piano to the children in her neighbourhood, Dana is inspired by the life around her, which makes her a great team member. Always happy and bubbly, Dana is the sunshine of the Salon. When away from Nova Vita and her adored co-workers, Dana loves spa days with her friends, jogging, snowboarding or a day at the beach. Dana's favorite product? Aveda’s Hair Potion, “because it's all about volume.”

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Jen Lanno

Jen Lanno is pint size and powerful—a definite creative force at Nova Vita. Finding inspiration in all her surroundings such as films, books, conversations and people-watching, she is skilled in the arts of both hair and makeup. Jen has the talented ability to blend her talents and capabilities, enabling her to transform a client’s look and have them see themselves in a whole new way. Jen has been trained by Sebastian, Tony & Guy, Rusk, ICON and Aveda, making her very well versed in all aspects of colour, cutting and updo’s. Jen can do just about anything with her knowledge gained from the beginning of her career. Working at Nova Vita for nearly 3 years, Jen holds the desire to learn even more. Recreating her skills and keeping informed, she eagerly awaits classes that offer her more. She has studied Special Effects make-up at Seneca, allowing the combination of all her education to culminate to a very impressive portfolio. In addition, Jen has amazing experience and knowledge for Brides, Bridesmaids and Mothers of the Bride or Groom. She understands exactly how to transform everyone for the special day.
Jen loves working at Nova Vita for the positive and innovative atmosphere, and is thrilled to have an apprentice of her own. In fact, she could not imagine working without one! Jen is also thrilled about teaching her own makeup class and has taught a colour class at Nova Vita. She has just finished an editorial styling class this year and can't wait to put techniques together with photoshoots and helping build the Nova Vita portfolio. At Nova Vita, everyone loves Jen working here with the passing of every day offering another amazing 'Jen Tidbit.’

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Francesco Scundi

Francesco, otherwise known as Frank, joined Nova Vita in 2007 to become the second male team member in a female dominated room. His resume and education spoke for itself, but it was his love for cutting hair and drinking coffee while singing 80’s ballads that won the staff and clientele over. With over 12 years in the industry, Frank has been trained by all the prominent schools. While having learned many valuable tips and techniques from Vidal Sassoon, Rusk, Tony & Guy, and I.C.O.N., as well as attending multiple courses by Revlon and Aveda, Frank was also an elite member of Euphoria. Being a member provided him continuous education on an 8 week rotation—making him one of the most knowledgeable stylists in the salon. He has a passion for hair that is beyond words and this passion represents itself in the styles he creates for his clients. Glad to be part of an innovative salon, Frank has a clientele of both ladies and gents as it gives him joy to work with a variety of looks and styles. As most of the stylists can attest, his scissor skills can far surpass his singing skills, but it is his passion for all things creative that makes him just dreamy.

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Michelle Dean

Michelle has known nothing but hair. Her first job was in a salon contributing to the team, and every job following was in a salon. After finishing high school, she turned her job into a career by pursuing post-secondary education in cosmetology. From there, she was inspired to attend DeVog Academy of Hair Design right here in London and since then, has been part of many innovative salons in and around Toronto. Recently returning to London from one of Toronto’s Aveda salons, Michelle followed her fate and joined the creative Nova Vita team. After a decade of styling hair in Aveda salons and sporting her own head of curly hair, she has become a tried and true expert on the cutting and styling of curly hair. She has tips, knows tricks and has personally tried products to tame the mane, and is more than happy to share her knowledge. Trained, practiced and skilled in the art of the perm, Michelle loves the texture and movement that a perm can create. As the perm trend gains momentum, Michelle is one of Nova Vita's resident experts. Also, extensively trained in makeup application, Michelle is great at helping you prepare yourself for that upcoming special event. Michelle has taken numerous advanced classes in cutting and colouring, and even though she is a tremendous stylist, she strives for more. She spends her time absorbing unique techniques, new skills, and constructive information to share with her clients. At this moment, she is pursuing even more advanced classes to offer her clients the service they deserve. With her desire for new opportunities, it is of her newest excitement that she becomes our next Great Lengths Extensions expert. She is a polite and caring person who loves to learn and share, and her hard work and dedication offers her clients the best experience in an Aveda salon. Michelle is glad to be back in London and proud to join the “supportive and positive team atmosphere at Nova Vita—it's family!” Welcome to the team Michelle, Nova Vita is proud to have you!

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Georgie Sotiriadis

Georgie is Nova Vita’s colour expert. In the industry for nearly 20 years, she reveals her passion for creating a custom colour blend that accentuates and compliments a client's style. She works with your style to create your perfect cut or colour, transforming your look to the one you desire. With training at the Wella Institute in London England, L’Oreal, Revlon, Vidal Sassoon, and Aveda, Georgie has been taught all the colour tips and tricks; she kept herself informed by attending any colour classes she could. You can be sure your time with Georgie will benefit you as she will discover the healthy, shiny, perfect colour you deserve. She loves to see the dramatic positive change a little bit of colour can make. She has spent the last two years at Nova Vita and is thrilled to be part of such a positive staff that all understand the importance of giving back to the community. Georgie contributes some personal time to charitable work and thinks it is fantastic when her career ties in with a favourite charitable event. Georgie is also Nova Vita’s perm expert. Sometimes, a perm is necessary for a little extra body or to control natural curl, or just for a whole new look! With extensive training in perms of all styles on all hair types, she’ll be sure to see the potential in an unruly head of hair. As a mom of two, Georgie is proud to work in an Aveda salon where the products used are 97% organic. She believes this to be a very good thing in her world, and yours.

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Heather Brommer

Professional with an edgy look, Heather is dedicated to the art and passion of hair styling. She has been attending class upon class to hone all of her stylist skills. With advanced Vidal Sassoon hair cutting and razor techniques, as well as Aveda colour classes, it is no wonder that the new assistants look up to her. Always ready to share her knowledge, Heather is a great listener and gives solutions for those with problem hair. One of her favourite Aveda solutions is the Defining whip, simply for the reason that it is great with all hair types. “It can control frizz and add texture. It is very light and incredibly versatile!” Heather is also very proud to work in a salon where the products used are 97% natural. In Heather’s opinion, it is important to know AVEDA products respect those that protect the environment which we all live in. She is great at suggesting new looks that suit a client's style—after all, when a client looks good, Heather feels good!Like anyone else, Heather enjoys her off time as she shops, facebook's, goes to the beach, and snowboards. Just don't let her age fool you; she'll share her wealth of knowledge!

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Nora Hildebrandt

Great with one-on-one communication, Nora listens intentively to what the client desires and finds the best possible outcome. She loves the art of cutting hair and the ecstatic expression of her clients afterward. Born and raised in London Ontario, Nora attended hair school right out of high school. She then joined the Nova Vita team and excelled through her apprenticeship. Nora’s accomplishments and skills include advanced hair cutting and up-do classes from Revlon, and colour classes by Aveda. As well, Nora completed a six-month advanced cutting class, where she would travel to Toronto once a week to be taught by top industry Aveda veterans. Both the class and her dedication helped her refine her skills and take them to the premium level. Nora is now the silent force of the corner chair and ready for a full roster of clients. Nora has great styling techniques and is a huge fan of the bob hair cut, albeit long or short, it can always be a fantastic look. She loves working with colour—especially vibrant hues of red or violet. Keen on increasing her skill set, Nora looks forward to any and all future classes that will come her way.

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Miguel Hurtado

It is to Nova Vita’s benefit that Miguel has gained extensive knowledge over the past 15 years by owning his own salon in Mexico, training at Holt Renfrew, taking classes in Toronto and the United States, and last but not least, training with Aveda. After eight years on staff, Miguel is an integral part of the Nova Vita team. It is his goal to provide the ultimate satisfaction for his clients; it is his desire to ensure his clients not only get a great cut, style, or colour that suite them, but one that is ideal for self-maintenance at home. With his talents and interests, he provides his clients with the greatest service they could ask for. He stays on top of the most recent fashion information and knows what will work for your personal tastes. Miguel makes it easy to be a client of Nova Vita, knowing you will be taken care of by a highly trained professional with a passion not only for his clients, but for his team members. Miguel not only loves cutting hair, but also thrives on any opportunity to show his creativity. He has been dubbed the salon’s Creative Artistic Director and if anyone has ever noticed any of Nova Vita’s front window displays, it was Miguel’s creative inspiration. Miguel is also Nova Vita’s fashion photographer as he portrays an exquisite flare for design and style.Miguel is also Nova Vita’s cutting trainer, trained by Aveda, and is constantly offering classes, upgraded knowledge, and tips to all staff. With his contributions, Nova Vita could not bear to be without him.

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Manuela Mendonca

Located in a cozy room upstairs, Manuela is London 's eyebrow expert! As a staff veteran of Nova Vita, Manuela has been an integral part of the team since 2001 and is proudly Nova Vita's only Esthetician. Her superior waxing skills have given her a large and loyal clientele. Trained in Europe as well as Canada, Manuela prefers to only use a strip-less hard wax; it is gentler on the skin and allows for complete hair removal without breakage. If you haven't tried it, she suggests you should. Born in Azores, Portugal, Manuela came to Canada for the experience of a lifetime, and landed right here in London at Nova Vita. Trained in Aveda skin care and by Dr. Renaud for treatments and facials, Manuela is known for creating a clean, yet sculpted, natural look for both women and men. With more than just eyebrow waxing, Manuela is pleased to provide a full range of body and facial waxing, manicures, pedicures, relaxational massage, eye care, facial treatments, eyelash tinting, eyebrow tinting, makeup application, and other services that make you feel refreshed. Highly experienced in Bridal and Bridesmaid makeup, she enjoys working with Brides for their big day. “It's very important to have trust and communication. I ask a lot of questions about their wedding makeup; the more I know, the happier they are with their bridal style! Their happiness is important to me.”

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Julie Murphy

Julie is a giver, constantly finding causes to support and great ways to support them. She has a natural sweetness about her that just oozes kindness and generosity. She has participated in the Wellspring’s Hike for Hope, as well as the Aveda water campaign for African Children with a powerful role in the organization…just to name a few. Julie is great stylist. She is recognized and respected by her co-workers for her commitment to honing her skills and amending her knowledge base. She is a perfectionist by nature; a trait that easily transpires to her clients both by attention and detail. If you happen to be looking for a stylist who takes the time to listen and grab every detail of your desires, Julie can do just that. Julie is also a resident Great Lengths extension expert and loves the transformation it creates for a client. “Clients always leave happy, and touching their hair. I like making people happy.” One of Julie’s goals is to continue to learn new things and keep her clients in tune with up-to-date trends and styles. Julie can create a leading edge style, cut or colour. Proud of her accomplishments, Julie makes sure your hair is something she's proud of. Along with great curl formation, she is wonderful for those beautiful, special occasion updo’s. Julie is always going the extra mile for her clients…out of pure joy. She will often start her days early, or end them later to accommodate for the many different conflicting schedules. Not only is she caring, but she works hard to keep her knowledge modernized. Always taking classes, she has excelled over her years as a hairstylist in colour application and knowledge. Julie remains on top of her game and is amazing with large and small wedding parties. She works as a team with the rest of Nova Vita. Julie is a graduate of DeVog Professional Salon School in London and has been at Nova Vita for 6 years.

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Brittney Pound

With Brittney’s fun, upbeat personality, everyone just adores her. Her passion for her styling career makes her yet, another great team member at Nova Vita. After graduating from DeVog Professional Salon School, she joined the Nova Vita team. Since cutting her sister’s hair in the family bathroom, it has been her long-time ambition to become a stylist. As a London Native, Brittney is more than pleased to now be a full scale stylist in London ’s premier salon. She loves the attention that comes with a great short style. Textured and fun, a messy look can be great on both women and men. If you say you are looking for volume, Brittney will grin with excitement and eagerly grab Aveda’s Defining Whip as she knows it gives great texture and volume to hair. Both men’s cuts and women’s cuts can be fun and liberating. Brittney is always learning, as with the rest of the Nova Vita Team, and looks forward to every class coming her way. By completing Aveda Colour and Colour Merging classes, she is a master at creating creative colour patterns and multi-dimensional looks. She has excellent makeup application skills and loves the opportunity to prepare a client for an event or special occasion. After years of being the student, Brittney is thrilled to finally be able to teach; assisting with a make-up class and teaching a foil class, she is well on her way to being a veteran instructor stylist. Not only can she do makeup, cut, and hair colour, but she is a registered Great Lengths Hair extensions expert. From starting her career by practicing on her sister, Brittney has excelled over her past years at Nova Vita and has begun teaching others.

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Nicole Sharpe

Nicole has over 13 years in the industry and loves the creativity of the profession. She was trained in England by Toni & Guy, has become a master in colouring, and is now a professional mentor with Revlon.Her stylist mantra is to spend ample time with her clients. Working with ambition, she collects as much information as possible to create the perfect combination of the right look and self-maintenance level for the client. Nicole also finds it important to educate clients about their hair type. After all, with a variety of hair types, they create different behaviour patterns due to styling or even factors such as the environment. The more a client knows about their own hair, the better they can choose styles that will work for them.Nicole has lived all across Canada and spent most of her styling career in England . With her experiences in diverse training, she is a great international addition to the Nova Vita team. Her background as a master stylist and a trained educator helps her share her knowledge with the rest of the Nova Vita team. Trained in colour, cutting and extensions, she is a well-rounded stylist with a vast knowledge of hair.Being a new mom, she now has a whole new understanding of looking great with little time— something every woman desires; let her show you.

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Sara V.

Sara studied hair and makeup at DeVog Academy of Hair Design. She continued her journey through the world of hair and completed extra cutting and colour courses through Aveda and Revlon Professional. Always staying on top of modern trends, Sara loves to attend hair shows regularly, learning new techniques and offering her clients fun and new ideas to change up their look. As she shares her inspiration with her clients, it is one of her favourite things to see the excitement and transformation when creating fun and exciting new looks. 
One thing Sara feels strongly about it ensuring her clients know how to achieve and maintain their new hairstyle at home, by showing them how to complete the look while it’s being done.
Sara loves working at Nova Vita because of the great team atmosphere and the positive environment provided for every client.
 

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Shannon

Shannon was born and raised in London, Ontario, and has wanted to be a professional hairstylist since she was a little girl. Her dad even let her use kitchen utensils to do his hair!
Shannon attended the Aveda institute where she started her hairstyling journey. She further honed her skills after her time at the Aveda Academy, perfecting her techniques and learning as much as she could. 
Some of her favourite tasks in hairstyling include updo’s and creating new looks for her clients as she loves to see the transformation.
Shannon enjoys learning about makeup and cannot wait to apply her knowledge.
She loves all Aveda products and the environmentally friendly aspect of the 97% organic compounds that are gentle on her hands and great for her clients’ hair.
“My favourite product is Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair. It repairs your hair up to 26% your first use and makes your locks feel soft and healthy, remaining weightless! It’s also my favourite because it works on any hair type...everyone deserves soft and healthy hair.