MEET THE TEAM

Karen Breffle

Stylist

Master Stylist at Avalon Salon & Day Spa since 2006, Karen has been a licensed stylist since 1998 and brings over 25 years of experience, creativity, and precision to every appointment. Known for her exceptional attention to detail and personalized approach, she is passionate about helping each client look and feel their absolute best.

Maddie Mayorga

Stylist

With a vibrant spirit and a passion for helping others feel their best, Maddie brings warmth and creativity to every client experience. Her deep love for fashion and beauty shines through in her work, where she blends style and skill to enhance each guest’s natural confidence. Outside the salon, Maddie shares her energy and artistry as a dance instructor, inspiring the next generation of performers through movement and mentorship.

Erica Cruz

Stylist

Meet Erica Cruz, a passionate hair artist graduating from Paul Mitchell in 2017, right here in Colorado. For Erica, hairdressing is more than a job—it’s a profound expression of her love for the craft. Beyond the salon, she’s a dedicated mom to three and a loving wife, cherishing every moment outside her bustling workspace. Specializing in transforming mid to long hair into stunning works of art, Erica is known for her confidence and expertise in various coloring techniques, making her the go-to for refreshing looks, highlights, or the perfect balayage.

With skillful hands and a creative vision, Erica turns each client’s hair into a canvas for self-expression. Trust Erica Cruz, not just a stylist but a storyteller, weaving unique tales of beauty and confidence with every strand.

Caillyn Mceachern

Stylist

Caillyn Mcheachern graduated from Empire Beauty School in 2023 and is dedicated to creating an uplifting, confidence-boosting experience for every guest. She has a true passion for color—whether it’s enhancing natural tones or crafting bold, vivid transformations—and loves bringing each client’s vision to life.

Outside the salon, Caillyn enjoys relaxing with a good mystery or thriller novel. Newly engaged and an animal lover at heart, she cherishes time spent with her fiancé and her dog, Sif. With her positive energy and creative spirit, Caillyn strives to make every visit feel inspiring and unforgettable.

Genesis Rios

Stylist

Genesis Rios is a skilled stylist and 2021 graduate of the Aveda Institute of Denver. After completing the New Artist program at La Tierra Salon & Day Spa in 2025, she brought her passion for beauty and creativity to Avalon Salon & Spa. Genesis loves helping guests feel confident through both color and haircutting, inspired by her love of makeup, hair, and fashion. Outside the salon, she enjoys concerts, hiking, reading, spending time with her family and her dog Eli, and cat Mavis.

Sophia Welsh

Stylist

Sophia Welsh has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2018, graduating from the Salon Professional Academy. She is passionate about creating beautiful transformations through perms, color, and precision cuts. Sophia takes pride in helping her clients look and feel their best, with a focus on boosting confidence and enhancing each individual’s natural beauty.

Outside of the salon, Sophia is a dedicated mom who loves spending quality time with her family. Whether it’s exploring museums, shopping at the mall, enjoying parks, or going on nature walks, she embraces every adventure. She also values her beauty rest, recharging so she can bring her best energy to both her family and her clients.

Ava Stantz

Stylist

Ava is a 2024 graduate of Colorado’s Finest Salon and Spa Academy and a 2026 graduate of our Aveda Colorist Program at our partnering location, La Tierra Salon & Day Spa.

Her passion for hair started in her teenage years—experimenting with her own style and joining her grandmother on salon visits, experiences that sparked her love for transformation and the confidence it brings to others.

Ava is excited to begin her career with Aveda, where she especially enjoys precision haircuts and bold, vibrant color work. She brings a strong eye for detail and a creative approach to every service behind the chair.

Outside the salon, Ava stays inspired through playing the flute, reading, and writing. She is passionate about helping each guest feel their best and bringing their hair vision to life.

Darwin Francisco

Massage Therapist

Darwin is a massage therapist certified since March 2001. With specialties in sports massage, injury recovery, and deep tissue work, he provides therapeutic care tailored to each client’s needs. Outside of massage, Darwin is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys trail running, cycling (road, gravel, and mountain biking), and backpacking.

Kate Neufeld

Massage Therapist

Kate has been a massage therapist since 1990. She originally graduated from IPSB in San Diego, CA and in 2018 she went through another program at East-West Healing Arts in Madison, WI to learn Asian modalities and philosophies. She can give a great relaxation Swedish massage, but especially loves to deliver therapeutic deep work to the neck, shoulders and back areas. Her massages are a fusion of all that she has learned over the years and feels that we are all unique human beings, and no massage is a one size fits all. She loves what she does and considers it more of a calling than a job.

Kari Arends

Massage Therapist

Kari Arends has been a licensed Massage Therapist for 26 years, offering a wide range of services including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Aromatherapy, and Relaxation massage. She is passionate about customizing each session to meet the unique needs of every client.

Throughout her career, Kari has managed multiple spa locations and has taken great pride in training and mentoring many fellow therapists. Now, as a proud new grandparent, she is enjoying every moment of this exciting new chapter in her life.

Derek Majjasie

Massage Therapist

Derek Majjasie is a highly skilled massage therapist with over 11 years of hands-on experience, committed to helping clients feel better in their bodies and restore a sense of calm and balance. He specializes in a range of modalities including Swedish, prenatal, sports massage, lymphatic drainage, hot stone therapy, and cupping—always customizing each session to fit individual needs. Whether clients are managing chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply seeking relaxation, Derek creates a safe and supportive environment for healing. Outside the treatment room, he enjoys cycling, snowboarding, and playing hockey.

Jordan Lehmberg

Esthetician

Jordan Lehmberg graduated from the Stacey James Institute in June 2025 and has quickly found a passion for all things skincare. With a special love for facials, Jordan is dedicated to helping clients feel confident and cared for through personalized treatments and a growing expertise in esthetics. Outside of the treatment room, Jordan enjoys reading, gaming, creative writing, and watching romance dramas. At home, Jordan loves relaxing and spending time with their cat.

Christianna Recinto

Esthetician

Christianna Recinto is a highly experienced esthetician licensed since 2010, known for her passion for results-driven skincare and client education. She believes empowering clients with knowledge about their skin is just as important as the treatments themselves, combining advanced techniques, thoughtful product selection, and personalized care to help each guest achieve healthy, radiant skin.

Christianna has also shared her expertise as an educator, teaching future estheticians at the Aveda Institute San Francisco in 2014 and later at the Aveda Institute Denver in 2016, reflecting her dedication to mentoring the next generation of skincare professionals.

In addition to skincare, Christianna is a talented makeup artist who has worked on fashion shows, bridal parties, and special events.

Outside the treatment room, she is a devoted mother of two who enjoys a creative lifestyle. In her free time she loves traveling, painting, baking fresh bread, and even making her own almond milk from scratch. ✨

Juliet Cappello

Esthetician

Juliet is a licensed esthetician who graduated with high honors from the Aveda Institute of Denver in May 2025. She is passionate about helping guests feel confident in their skin and loves delivering results that leave clients glowing both inside and out. Juliet offers a range of services including waxing, lash lifts with tint, and her favorite—customized facials tailored to rejuvenate and transform each guest’s skin. She believes in the power of natural, plant-based products and proudly incorporates Aveda into her treatments to promote healthy, radiant skin.

Outside of the treatment room, Juliet enjoys spending time with her husband, going on hikes, working out, and indulging in great food. She also values her beauty rest, making sure she’s recharged and ready to care for her clients. ✨

Katie Nguyen

Nail Technician

Licensed since 2003, Katie brings over two decades of professional nail expertise to Avalon Salon & Day Spa. With extensive experience in Aveda salons, she specializes in dipping powder and Shellac manicures, delivering beautifully detailed, long-lasting results with a meticulous and artistic touch.

Katie is passionate about creating a relaxing, personalized experience for every guest, ensuring their nails look and feel their best. Outside the salon, she enjoys traveling, going on walks, and expressing her creativity through crocheting.

Natalie Nguyen

Nail Technician

With over 20 years of experience in the Aveda salon and spa industry, Natalie brings exceptional skill, precision, and care to every service she provides. Known for her warm personality and attention to detail, she is dedicated to creating a relaxing experience while delivering beautiful, lasting results.

From classic manicures and pedicures to specialized nail treatments, Natalie combines her decades of expertise with Aveda’s holistic approach to ensure each guest leaves feeling refreshed, pampered, and confident.