Matrix Vice President of Education Martin Dale announces three accomplished and award-winning artist educators have joined the elite group of Matrix Artistic Directors. Michael Albor, Michelle O’Connor and Dilek Onur-Taylor were inducted into the Matrix education family at the recent Elevate Me Artist Training in Cancun. In their new roles, the trio will be responsible for maintaining the company’s high standards of professional training, and will play a key role in crafting Matrix trends and imagery for professionals and consumers.
The owner of The Loft by Michael Albor, Michael is one of Boston’s top stylists and salon owners, winner of numerous “Best of Boston” awards from Boston Magazine. He’s earned 12 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) nominations for Hairstylist of the Year, Editorial Stylist and Master Stylist, and in 2016 won the Editorial Shot of the Year category. His salon earned a spot in the Salon Today 200 for four consecutive years. In recent years he’s served as a Matrix Artistic Educator, sharing his real world and editorial skills with colleagues worldwide.
A former dancer, salon owner, session artist, and platform artist and educator with Mizani, Michelle O’Connor was recently appointed one of the Creative Directors for The Salon By InStyle at JCPenney. In 2016, she won the North American Hairstyling Award for Texture; and she was nominated for BTC #ONESHOT awards in the Color and Avant Garde categories and for a Bangstyle Supreme Award. In her prior role as an Artistic Manager with JCP salons, she participated in education, trend and media photo shoots and television appearances and in live celebrity and fashion show events. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including Modern Salon, behindthechair, American Salon and Beauty Launchpad; she has appeared on talk shows including Good Morning Miami and she worked at the Oscars in L.A.
Dilek’s ability to motivate, lead and inspire hairstylists stems from a 25-year career as an artist, salon owner and leading Joico educator. Also recently named Creative Director for The Salon By InStyle at JCPenney, Dilek embodies a vast skill set and a limitless imagination, making her the perfect mentor to both up-and-coming andfully established stylists. She was a NAHA finalist in 2013 in the Texture category and in 2016 in the Avant Garde and Texture categories. In 2014 she won the NAHA award for Texture and in 2016 she took home the NAHA award in the Contemporary Classic Category. Also in 2016, she was nominated in the BTC #ONESHOT awards in the Texture category. Like her colleague Michelle, her work has appeared in numerous beauty publications, and she has participated in a number of live celebrity and fashion events and appeared as a beauty expert on national television spots. “These three individuals are extremely passionate, dedicated, talented and creative,” says Dale. “We are thrilled to welcome them to our team of Artistic Directors, and we look forward to experiencing their fresh vision and new ideas.”