David Ryan Salon

THE STAFF

MARIA LANZA, OWNER AND MASTER STYLIST:

Even at a very young age, David Ryan Salon Co-owner and Master Stylist Maria Lanza knew she wanted to own a salon.

Also knowing at a very young age that she loved beauty, hair and make-up—and that she had a natural talent for it—she spent much of her childhood summers in her cousins’ salons, both here and abroad.  Then, upon finishing high school, she entered school and started working in salons at age 18!

Throughout the years, she studied with top stylists at Aveda, Framesi and Tony and Guy.  She worked in many high-end salons but was still searching for just the right place.  She found David Ryan Salon in 1994 and, in 2000, she and her husband Giuseppe Lanza took ownership—spending the last 11 years turning the salon into a hip, cozy environment where everyone feels welcome and is looked at individually to give each client a look that is just right for them.  “We have a group of highly skilled stylists who have been with the salon for over 10 years; they grow with me as a family and they have the same vision I do,” Maria says.

The salon has also been featured on both television and in magazines numerous times.

Education is still of paramount importance to Maria and she continues to hone her skills through advanced education.  In fact, she and Giuseppe spend summers every year in Italy where Maria trains in new techniques and trends.

Besides a strong work ethic, Maria’s Sicilian-born parents instilled also a strong family commitment.  Maria became a mother eight years ago, so her time is now divided between her three boys and the salon.  “But I’m still as passionate about hair now as I was 20 years ago!” Maria’s husband and business partner Sicilian-born Giuseppe Lanza actually is not a stylist and never wanted to be one; in fact, his passion is racing motorcycles  and speed. He came in initially to help Maria with the business—but his natural warmth, hospitality and charm exudes to every client who walks through the doors of the salon—and that, says Maria (and clients), is a big, big reason for the salon feeling like family.  Giuseppe loves the salon and New York, but he does dream of returning to Sicily one day to begin a new business as a certified flight instructor.

Maria’s younger brother, Rosario Mangano, has been with the salon since 1998.  Rosario, who was also trained as a massage therapist at the Swedish Institute, manages the salon.  Rosario’s wise-cracking one-liners and “boogie down Bronx attitude” are yet another, effective way for this salon to connect with clients!

Other stylists include:

Jill Schnapp: “This is not just a job for me, but a personal passion.  I’m compelled to help people realize how beautiful they are both on the inside and out.”  Jill says.  Jill has been in the business for 15 years; when she started in this industry, she assisted at a salon where she met her first mentor, Harvey Sobler.  Sobler brought her to London where Jill studied at some of the top academies in London, including Vidal Sassoon of London, Tony & Guy and the Mahogany Institute.  Also a Paul Mitchell National Educator, Jill is certified to teach Core Color + Cut and trains both stylists and owners. Jill also does free lance editorial–her works can be seen on television shows like “Maury Povich” and “Tyra Banks,” and she has worked on photo shoots and fashion shows. Jill’s  particularly passionate about community outreach, so she oversees many fund-raisers and charity events.

Veronica Graff: “I like to think of myself as a hair sculptor,” says Veronica, who specializes in free style cutting on dry hair and razor cutting for special effects–and you you may also want to seek Veronica’s skills in color and hi-lighting techniques. Veronica began in the 1980s, first as an apprentice  for Clive Summers, where she also learned some techniques of John Sahag and Vidal Sassoon. Today, her client roster includes Broadway actors and the staffs of “Metropolitan Home” and the “David Letterman Show.”  Her work has been featured in “W,” “American Salon,”  ”New York Magazine,” and “The New York Times”–as well as on many album covers.  Also a musician, Veronica currently plays in the children’s band, “Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band.” Veronica’s been with David Ryan Salon since 1995.

Yelena Boltyan: Clients seek Yelena’s expertise in haircutting and haircoloring.  A master of proportion, structure and color, she credits this skill to her passion for painting and drawing.  Yelena’s been a hair stylist for 12 years, and she’s spent all of them at David Ryan.

Kiki Lopez de Victoria: “For me, it (hair styling) was intriguing to see someone transform from a wilting flower into a blooming beauty,” Kiki says.  Kiki began in the industry as an apprentice at ‘Bumble and Bumble’ where he learned from well-known industry greats like Nick Arroyo and Rodney Cutler. He joined The David Ryan Salon 12 years ago and in 2007 enrolled at the “Make-up Designory” so that he could expand his offerings.  One recent comment from a client referred to him as “an artist.”  Kiki has been involved in the TLC television channel show “Four Weddings” where he replicates the brides’ wedding day hair and make-up look.  This spring (2011) he will begin working on the show’s New York finale.

Brisa Alfaro: “My passion for this industry transcends through my work as a Hair Stylist, Nail Tech and Makeup Artist,” says Brisa.  So, when she isn’t working at David Ryan Salon you can find her teaching Cosmetology at a Beauty School in Queens and traveling as a National Educator and Mentor for Young Nails, a global nail enhancement product manufacturer. Brisa adds a variety of services to the salon including “Micro Linking,” which is a detailed non-abrasive Hair Extension procedure—that results in an ultra natural-looking long hair. Brisa is known for her “Ultimate Manicure, a gel polish hybrid that dries in seconds and is guaranteed not to smudge or chip for two weeks; her show-stopping “chrome nails” were mentioned by Marie Osmond, on “Today,” “The View”—an on Broadway. Brisa originally hails from Southern California, but she’s also now a Hell’s Kitchen resident. In fact, you may just run into her when she walks her dog, Gucci, the salon’s mascot. 

Paul Haug:  If you’re looking for a super natural, easy-to-care-for hairstyle, then look no further than Paul! He trained in Minneapolis, in the second class of what would become the Aveda Institute and completed the Framesi  “Mastering the Palette” color classes.  Paul has been with David Ryan Salon since 2001.

Clarissa Samori:  a hair stylist for over 20 years, Clarissa specializes in up-dos, color techniques and hi-lighting. In fact, she styled the hair for one of Bravo TV’s “Who’s Wedding Is It Anyway?” Also certified in Brazilian keratin hair straightening treatments, Clarissa joined David Ryan in 2002 and  has always stayed there, even when she left the City in 2006.  She’s there every other Saturday but ”I love this salon, a funky salon in Hell’s Kitchen!”

Joe Sanders: “Everyone is a star on my stage,” he says.  Although he started out wanting to do make-up, he fell in love with hair.  That was 12 years ago and, since then, Joe’s work has been featured in magazines, such as “Shape” and “People” and on television shows, such as “Law & Order” and “Martha.  Certified in the Simply Smooth Brazilian Keratin Treatment, Joe uses a free style cutting technique that combines wet and dry hair cutting techniques.  “My style icons are Diana Ross, Ted Gibson, Martin Parson and all the classic styles of the 40s and 50s.” Joe is still very much in love with hair; in fact, he says his dream is to travel throughout Europe and study it.

Edgardo Rodriquez: Edgardo, who has been a stylist since 1986, lives by this motto:  “Having fun hair makes you wanna dance all night!”  This former Alvin Ailey dancer’s favorite styles are funky, edgy, fun and creative.  “I love to make clients look beautiful and put smiles on their faces.”

Ivonne Lucio: Ivonne has been with David Ryan for eight years, and has taken advanced training with Framesi, Sebastian and Paul Mitchell.

Remember the old commercial that claimed “Blonds have more fun!” Well, maybe Gucci will agree.

Gucci, The Salon Mascot: Remember that old commercial that exclaimed “Blonds have more fun!” Well, Gucci might agree–she’s a pretty, sweet-tempered—and blond– four-year-old yorkie/chihuahua mix, raised in a salon environment, says her “mother” Brisa Alfaro.  Gucci has quickly become a favorite to both stylist AND clients, cheerfully greeting every client that walks through the door– and making the rounds to say “hello” to every stylist and his or her guest.

In fact, Gucci has earned the reputation as an official “Day Maker”, making people’s day by her warm embrace and sweet character. We love her here at David Ryan Salon and would love for you to meet her too!

Everyone loves Gucci—and when she isn’t “working” at the salon, you just might see Gucci walking her Mom to different doggy parks all around Hell’s Kitchen. Be sure to stop and say Hi if you see her!!