Harasyn Sipes
Assistant Director
Director of Modeling

Harasyn graduated from Dominican University of California in 2009 with her BA in Art History and Communications, and obtained her Master's Degree in Italy. Having a passion for the arts, Harasyn has a background in dance and choreography, public speaking, theatrical and musical performance, and modeling. She was professionally trained at a program similar to Julie Nation's in the Seattle area--where she is originally from--and has since taken advantage of a variety modeling opportunities including appearing in the Summer and Fall 2010 Collections for national clothing brand Georgiou Studio (catalog, online store, and fashion shows), print advertising for dental software, hair salons and jewelry companies, numerous fashion shows, and has worked with major companies like Dove and Fashion Bug. Harasyn also participates in scholarship pageants and has held the titles of Miss Seattle 2007 and Miss Washington 2008, among others. She has won multiple awards at both state and national levels for modeling, portfolio, and public speaking, and has consistently placed as a Top 10 and Top 5 finalist in national competitions.

Sylvia Binsfeld
Film Director/Writer
Guest Workshop Leader

Sylvia began her career as an actress and joined the Screen Actor's Guild. Sylvia's transition to writing and working behind the camera came after being cast as co-host in a short-lived, offbeat TV show, called LiveWire. The producer/director gave the on-camera hosts quite a bit of creative power. Sylvia found her passion in life, and started on a transformative journey. Frustrated with the content of many of the scripts she read, Sylvia decided that she wanted to have a bigger say in regards to the messages being put out into the world. She started writing her own scripts. While struggling to make a difference in a business where very few people are actually able to break in, she started to take note of the habits and mindset that produced the best results and the personal blocks that got in her way. Since then Sylvia has devised a step-by-step program to help others live life to their fullest potential and fulfill their dreams, believing that each of us came in with our own unique gifts to share with the world. Sylvia's first solo attempt at writing, producing and directing won her the first place Telly Award and her company, DreamWeaver Films, was launched. Her most recent short, 35mm, fantasy film, Dorme, has been shown at over 34 film festivals world wide - premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, and won the audience award, best film, and several national awards including another Telly, and the Kids First! Coalition for Quality Children's Media Award.

Thea Daniels
Instructor and Cosmotologist

Thea Daniels has been working on the most beautiful women in Sonoma County creating hair that fits unique styles for over 20 years. She is an American Board Certified Hair Colorist and Evaluator and presently works at Radici Hair Studio in downtown Santa Rosa. After graduating from Julie Nation Academy in Modeling and Acting, it was a natural enhancement to join Julie's incredible staff. Thea is a hair designer by trade, Cultural Anthropologist by degree, and model/actress by hobby. Her life commitment is to live fully and joyously, and her goal is to participate with others creating lives worth living well.

Georgette Dorries
Visiting Instructor of Modeling

Georgette is a member of SAG and has been modeling and acting for many years now. She has appeared in movies such as “The Trip”, TV commercials such as Macy’s and KGO news team, print work such as Dodge and Levi Strauss, and numerous runway shows for designers such as Oscar De La Renta, Tiffiany & Company, Levi Strauss and so many more. She is also a licensed esthetician and a make up artist for models. Julie Nation Academy students appreciate an active model lending her expertise and experience into the classroom!

Jacqueline Hayward
Director of TV & Film Acting

Jacqueline did her early drama training in her native England before receiving a full scholarship to study with ACT in San Francisco. She has a Master's Degree in Drama Therapy, trained in voiceover work at Radio Magic. As the drama coach for the Santa Rosa Junior College's speech team for 8 years, her students won numerous medals. She has worked on both sides of the camera- in TV, film, commercials, and voiceover. She has sung and danced professionally, and is an award-winning director. She has been teaching acting in various settings, including at Sonoma State University, for more than 25 years, and has been with Julie Nation since 2002. Her focus is on having acting be, first and foremost, a joyful and empowering experience for her students.

Ali L.
Visiting Speaker & Instructor

Ali obtained a degree in Business Administration with concentrations in accounting and marketing from SSU. She is a Julie Nation Academy graduate and two time past Showcase participant. She was previously signed with a top San Francisco agent that she was introduced to through Julie Nation Academy. She now models in her spare time, getting jobs through the connections she has made through Julie Nation Academy. Some jobs Ali has had include a 5 page spread in a Japanese catlog, a full page in a jewelry catlog, a Twin Pine Casino Commercial, and making it to the top 32 of about 50,000 girls from around the Nation to be on the first episode of the 13th cycle of America's Next Top Model. Ali also participates in scholarship pageants, where she has won multiple local, state and National titles that give her the opportunity to volunteer nationally and also provide financial support for college. She is currently representing the Miss America Organization as Miss Sonoma County 2010! When Ali is not at Julie Nation Academy, off modeling, or at school she is volunteering. She has been the Vice President of a Board of Directors for a non-profit organization for children with cancer. She is also an advocate for childhood cancer, which is something she feels very strongly about, being a childhood cancer survivor herself.

Tina Lloyd Meals
Singing/Vocal Teacher

Tina Lloyd Meals has been living and working in Sonoma County since 1987, though she hails from the Mid-West.  She graduated from Northern Illinois University cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in voice performance and then continued studies in opera at USC.  Tina has performed extensively in the San Francisco Bay area with such groups as the San Francisco Opera Chorus, Pocket Opera, North Bay Lyric Opera, and Sonoma City Opera.  Her favorite roles include Pamina in The Magic Flute, Countess in The Marriage of Figaro, Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, The Witch in Into the Woods, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, and Micaela in Carmen. She has performed and recorded with the Fulton Chorale in performances at Yosemite's Ahwahnee Hotel for the Bracebridge Dinners.  She has also worked as pianist and music director for Broadway Bound Kids Children's Musical Theater in many productions including "Annie," "Oliver," "Peter Pan," and "Into the Woods," to name a few.  She was the worship director for eight years at Shiloh Covenant Church in Windsor. Tina has recently worked at 6th St Playhouse in Santa Rosa and with The Raven Players in Healdsburg. In Oct. of 2010, she performed the role of Zombina in “Zombies From the Beyond” with Odyssey Theater. Tina has been teaching and coaching voice privately for 19 years, and is excited to have completed her certification as a Speech Level Singing instructor after studying and training for the last 10 years. (www.speechlevelsinging.com)

Maureen Merrill
Director of Women's Self Development and Finishing Program

Maureen is a Principal of Harris Merrill Communication Consulting, a motivational speaker, communication seminar and workshop leader, a former elected city council member, an entrepreneur, and a communicty leader. Maureen states: “My passion is to help participants find and express themselves through confidence in personal presence, effortless communication and clarity of message and purpose. Every person is magnificent in his or her own way. Each of us brings unique gifts and a particular contribution to our organizations, our world, and our relationships. What’s our job as leaders? To create a context in which the potential of these gifts can be uncovered, developed, expanded and unleashed.”

Crystal Rangel
Director of Hispanic Department

A leader in the Hispanic community, Crystal Rangel is a special events coordinator and liaison for Bilingual radio stations. Crystal has taught and provided marketing services for Julie Nation Academy for almost a decade.

Carmen Sandoval
Bilingual Administrative Assistant

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Carmen is the youngest of ten children. During her high school years, she took a child development course and worked as a teacher's assistant with grades K-3, with the goal of becoming a teacher. After graduating from Heald Business College with a diploma in Office Administration, she met her husband and formed a beautiful family of three, which she loves and devotes all her time to. Carmen has worked as a Secretary/Bilingual Office Assistant in the school environment for the past 9 years. Her hobbies include art and poetry.

Tari Webber
Director of Personal Development

Tari Webber has been with Julie Nation Academy since 1990. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, specializing in community psychology, and Masters Degree in Psychology/ Organizational Development, both from Sonoma State University. She has a prestigious list of skills and abilities, such as being modeling and personal development teacher, a certified CPT (physical trainer), a nutrition/fitness instructor, curriculum developer, grant writer, child activity facilitator. She is certified in domestic violence prevention, and neurological linguistic programming. Julie Nation Academy is fortunate to have her teach and inspire our students!