Meet Our MUD Team

Every working artist started somewhere. Whether your dream is backstage at Fashion Week or on Broadway, on set for a hit television show, independent film, or fashion shoot, or creating magic on a wedding day or behind the counter, our faculty have been there.

One of the biggest advantages MUD students receive is exposure to our talented, accomplished instructors. All MUD teachers draw on at least five years of experience in a diverse range of make-up fields, and most are currently working in their respective industries today. We are versed in the intricacies of beauty, character, and special make-up effects, and we can help to show you the way.

Staff

Tate Holland - CEO, President

Tate Holland has worked in make-up education and cosmetic sales, manufacturing, and distribution for the last 18 years. He is also an experienced Administrator and School Director. Along with his school responsibilities, Mr. Holland is active in local community affairs. He is a former President of CAPPS, the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, and the Burbank Downtown Business Improvement District. He is also a member of the Measure K Budgetary Oversight Committee for the Newhall School District. Mr. Holland holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the American University in Washington, D.C.

Gilbert Romero - Associate Director of Education

Gil Romero has been an educator with Make-up Designory for over 15 years. He is a graduate of Willow Park High School in Apple Valley, CA, Cinema Make-up School in Los Angeles, CA, and Make-up Designory. Additionally, he received training in make-up design and artistry from UCLA Extension and Schell Sculpture Studio, and has continued to further his own educational experiences by taking courses in management and instructional methodology through UCLA Extension, University of Phoenix, Victorville Community College, Skillpath, and the Coalition of New York State Career Schools. Mr. Romero has lectured and demonstrated make-up techniques including injury simulation, the process of prosthetic construction, and prosthetic application on behalf of MUD, both nationally and internationally. In 2009, he co-authored the second edition of Make-up Designory’s Character Make-Up textbook. As a professional make-up and special make-up effects artist, Mr. Romero has had extensive experience in film and television since 1995. His work has been seen on television shows and films including The Unit, Scrubs, Prison Break, Untold Stories of the E.R., The Sarah Silverman Show, The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Shield, America’s Next Top Model, Midnight Movie, Five Fingers with Laurence Fishburne, Route 666 with Lou Diamond Phillips, Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses, tattoo transfers for Sherri Moon-Zombie in The Lords of Salem and effects for the short film Wounded Embark of a Lovesick Mind by author/ illustrator and film director Gris Grimly. In addition to his film and television work, he has produced prosthetic make-ups and effects for Universal Studios’ Hollywood and Tokyo live-action stunt show WaterWorld, the Anubis puppets for The Mummy II: Chamber of Horrors, Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream event character “Jack”, FuseTV/ Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, Lady Gaga and other live musical performers, and specialty trauma simulations for companies and professional organizations, including one of the largest and most technologically advanced burn centers in the U.S., the Integris Burn Center.

Paul Thompson - Director of Education

Paul Thompson is the Director of Education at Make-up Designory and is a professional make-up artist with 24 years of experience, and an educator with 18 years of experience. He graduated high school in California at La Quinta High School, and then attended Orange Coast College and UCLA extension classes to learn the art of make-up. In addition to his make-up education, Mr. Thompson has completed courses in curriculum design and writing with the University of Phoenix, completed all coursework required for a designated subjects vocational teaching credential at UCLA, and completed all coursework to achieve a full teacher’s license in the State of New York. Over the course of his career he has been licensed to teach in California, Florida and New York. Mr. Thompson founded Creature Creations, a special make-up effects company specializing in television, commercial and theme park projects. One project resulted in the creation of the very first silicone bodysuit for Luke Perry in Robin Cook’s Invasion, an NBC mini-series. He also supervised film and television projects for the MUD/FX Group, a special make-up effects shop he co-founded. Mr. Thompson has held a number of educational specialist positions at several professional make-up schools including UCLA extension, and has lectured all over the world for major cosmetic companies such as MAC Cosmetics, Max Factor & Company, and Kryolan Cosmetics. Currently, he is responsible for the educational quality of the Los Angeles, New York and European MUD campuses which includes overseeing curricula, educational materials, and the recruitment and training of all faculty members. In addition to managing the development of curricula for MUD’s main campuses, seminars and company training programs, he also manages MUD’s publishing endeavors. Mr. Thompson authored MUD’s character textbook Character Make-Up, published in 2005 and co-wrote the second edition, published in 2009. Over the course of his career, he has worked with many prominent actors, musicians, and entertainment personalities including Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Jackie Chan, Matthew Broderick, Christopher Reeve, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Cheech Marin, Pauly Shore, Traci Lords, John Dye, George Hamilton, Clint Howard, and Mark Kriski.

Byrd Holland - Make-Up Artist Emeritus

Byrd Holland is a recognized professional make-up artist and a member of Local 706, The Make-Up Artists and Hairstylists Union IATSE. His career spans 40 years in television, theater, and print. Mr. Holland’s film credits include working as Department Head for productions such as Executive Action, The Spectre of Edgar Allan Poe, I Crossed the Color Line, Rabid, and Journey to the Center of Time. Mr. Holland’s television credits include The Alamo: Thirteen Days To Glory, Six Against the Rock, Crazy Times, Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge, Crisis in Midair, The Bill Cosby Variety Show, The Rock & Roll Years, and American Bandstand. In addition, Mr. Holland worked as the Department Head for Hard Copy for four years. Over the course of his career, he has worked with prominent actors, musicians, and entertainment personalities that include John Travolta, Danny DeVito, Cloris Leachman, Tom Hanks, Burt Reynolds, Natalie Cole, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Hal Linden, Jonathan Winters and James Arness. He has also worked with Jimmy Carter, Senator and Mrs. Bob Dole, and Governor Pete Wilson.

Instructors

Ronda Althen

Ronda Althen is a native of Minnesota. She is a graduate of Lindbergh High School in Hopkins, MN, and North Hennepin College in Brooklyn Park, MN. She began her career as a professional make-up artist and hairstylist after graduating from Fern’s Beauty School, Brooklyn Center, MN, in 1981. She owned a “Touch of Class Salon” in Minnesota before moving to Los Angeles to continue her education in make-up artistry, studying at Joe Blasco Professional Makeup School in Hollywood, CA. After graduating she went on to work in film, print, commercials, and music videos, most notably working with Prince on several projects including the Purple Rain video. Throughout her career she has also worked on many television shows such as Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, and currently, The Ellen Show. She is actively involved in Women and Breast Cancer at City of Hope where she volunteers her time helping with styling hair wigs and make-up application. She began her career as an Educator at Paul Mitchell Hair color in Minneapolis, MN, and joined the Make-up Designory team as an Instructor in September or 2002.

Sean Conklin

Sean Conklin is a freelance Make-up Artist and graduate of several of MUD’s educational programs. He received his G.E.D. from the Department of Education; State of California and went on to study theater at Mira Costa College. His commitment to perfecting his art and years of dedication implementing MUD’s brand philosophy earned him the role of MUD’s Lead Artist. He is an active contributor to the development of MUD products, designer for MUD’s seasonal campaigns and an International Brand Ambassador, educating and training MUD partners around the world. His experience extends into film, television and print with professional credits that include: American Idol, The BET Award Show, numerous WB spots (Where L.A. Lives), HGTV spots (Selling L.A.), MTV’s Next, TV Land’s She’s Got the Look, and various infomercials and feature films. From catalogs to magazines, Sean’s work has been featured in Lands’ End catalogs, LA Weekly, and Flaunt and Elle magazines. He’s worked with notable entertainment personalities including: Chris Brown, Marcia Cross, Jason Alexander, Adam Arkin, Bill Moseley, Camryn Manheim, Jane Kaczmarek, Justin Kirk, Jason Priestley, Alanis Morissette and Giovanni Ribisi. In 2014, Sean led a team of MUD make-up artists behind the scenes at the 2014 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions. His work as a featured artist on MUD’s official YouTube channel has helped garner millions of views and countless online fans worldwide.

Pamela Hackeman

Pamela has had a passion for health and beauty most of her life; she has over 18 years of experience in skin care, professional make-up, and retail sales. She is a graduate of John I. Leonard High School in Lake Worth, FL, New England Shiatsu School in Boston, MA, Moro Beauty School in Glendale, CA, and Make-up Designory. Ms. Hackeman has been teaching with Make-up Designory for over 14 years, and has taught makeup and skin care seminars, internationally, in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Miami, Japan, Thailand and South Africa. Her background includes: art, psychology, nutrition, Shiatsu, Hatha yoga, Chi Kung, Tai Chi, meditation and medical esthetics. She believes that balance of body, mind and spirit are key to beauty, along with topical skin care treatments and make-up. Her approach embraces the natural, using shiatsu and organic products, and the new, using advanced technology such as stem cell products, microdermabrasion, light and color therapy, and oxygen infusion to give you the best care available. She has worked with MAC, Chanel, La Prairie, Beau Bridges, Eric Roberts, Stacey Keach, (LT) Lawrence Taylor, Christopher Titus, Shane Black, Sally Kirkland, Amanda Lucas, Cynthia Watros, among many others. She has also mentored many successful make-up artists, including Tara Savelo, Patrice Graham, Amy Chance, Kimberly Pletz, Jackie Mgido, to name a few.

Veronica Lane

Veronica Lane has been a professional Make-up and Hair Artist for over 20 years. She is a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles and Creative Cosmetics Makeup School, and received her cosmetology license from Cerritos Community College in 1992. In 1989, she answered an ad in the newspaper for a make-up sales position at the Max Factor Museum and Boutique where she first got her taste of make-up and design, and paved the way for many more opportunities to come. She went on to work for the world-renowned hair company, Sebastian International, in the 1990s, where she taught seasonal make-up collections throughout the United States and Canada. Throughout her career she has worked in film, television, reality television, commercials, fashion shoots, advertising, press junkets, and red carpet events. She loves to teach others and share her knowledge of the industry. Her client list includes: L’ANZA Healing Hair Care, K-Swiss, Wal-Mart, Target, Montage Laguna Beach, Kodak, BBC America, Best Buy, Pet Armour, Mazda, McDonald’s, Oxygen Network, Vybe Mobile, Toys R’ Us, Giada at Home, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Megan Mullally Show, The ESPY Awards and many more. As a freelance make-up artist working for 20 years, she continues to be a force in a very competitive industry.

Satya Linak

Satya Linak is a passionate Make-up Artist who brings professionalism and joy to all her work. She specializes in beauty, fashion, editorial, and celebrity makeup, along with being an educator. Satya studied at Make-up Designory in Burbank, California. Satya has worked in all aspects of the industry. Starting with MAC Cosmetics as a freelance artist, she went on to help launch Surratt Beauty as their Lead Make-up Artist on the West Coast. She has worked with celebrity clients like John Leguizamo, Shirley Manson, Aloe Blacc, Korn, and Terri Nunn (Berlin), photographers and directors like David LaChapelle, Nick Knight, and Joseph Cultice, and advertising clients like NYX, Paul Mitchell, and Max Studio. Her editorial work has appeared in Vogue Italia, Paper Magazine, and Schön. She has also done runway shows for Tom Ford and the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund.

Kimber Parrish

Kimber Parrish is an accomplished Make-up Artist with over 15 years of experience. Her skills and talent include beauty and character make-up, as well as fabrication and hair styling. After graduating from the Make-up Designory Journeyman Program, she worked at Universal Studios Orlando for over 14 years. Here she worked on Universal Studios’ special engagement events (i.e. Halloween Horror Nights, Grinchmas, Mardi Gras, etc.), as well as, managing the Prosthetics & Make Up for the Art & Design branch of the Entertainment Department. During this time Kimber continued to be a freelance Make-up Artist, doing make-up for music videos and film and television. Clients include Netflix, MTV, Hulu, Blue Cross, Skechers, Guess, Body Armour, Lexus, Nature Valley, Elev8d Fitness, Gibson Guitars, Skinny Puppy, Orlando Leisure Magazine, and many more. As of 2018, Kimber is a part-time instructor at the MUD LA campus.

Cat Paschen

Cat Paschen is a Make-up Artist based in Los Angeles, California who does both beauty and special effects make-up. Cat started her make-up career working at MAC Cosmetics in the San Francisco/Bay Area. In 2012, she decided to move to Los Angeles to attend Make-Up Designory where she completed the Master Make-up Artistry Program. After graduating, Cat was chosen to work at the MUD FX lab where she furthered her knowledge of casting prosthetics. She went on to compete on Syfy’s Face Off Season 6 and Face Off All Stars Season 11. Cat is blessed to share her passion for make-up with her husband, Niko Gonzalez. Together they own a company called DYAD Make-Up & FX Studio where they make and sell generic and custom prosthetics (www.DYADPRO.com) and provide on set make-up services for film and television. Cat has worked at Universal Studios Hollywood since 2014, as part of the make-up team for the Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas events. Her diverse professional experience as a Make-up Artist includes: department heading and keying feature length and short films as well as working at some of the leading effects shops in LA such as: Magee FX, MUD FX Lab, Thingergy, Synapse FX and Boneyard FX. Her work has been featured in magazines like Make-Up Artist Magazine and Fantasm as well as on MTV, SyFy, National Geographic, America’s Next Top Model and in music videos for bands like Rob Zombie, Lindsay Sterling, Memphis Mayfire, Young the Giant and more.

Shelby Michael Patton

Shelby Michael Patton is a professional, award-winning Make-up and Special Effects Artist and graduate of Make-up Designory LA. She specializes in the creation and application of custom special make-up effects for film, television, and print. Her work has been featured on ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ (E! Network), ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ (AMC), ‘Celebrity Undercover Boss’ (CBS) and various other feature length films, tv series, commercials, and magazines. Celebrity credits include Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Stephanie McMahon, Idina Menzel, Jewel, Ashley Graham, Gabby Douglas, James Marsden, Darius Rucker, Marcus Samuelsson, Kym Douglas, Deion Sanders, Bethany Mota, and Jacky Heung. Shelby holds a BA in History and International Relations from Boston University, with concentrations in Film and East Asian Studies. Her critical essays on film have been published in academic journals both in the USA and abroad. She is also a former participant in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET), where she lived and worked in Tokyo for two years. She is highly experienced in most aspects of creating custom prosthetic make-ups, including lifecasting, sculpting, mold-making (stone, fiberglass, silicone, etc), running silicone, foam latex, gelatin, and prosaide transfers, silicone and foam patching and seaming, fabrication, hair punching, wig styling and make-up application and painting. Upon graduating from MUD, Shelby won 1st Place in the Battle of the Brushes Character/Prosthetic Make-up Competition at the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show (IMATS) in Los Angeles, the largest and most competitive prosthetic make-up competition in the country.

Ash Rodriguez

Ash Rodriguez is a Make-up Artist with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California High School in 2010. Her talents include airbrushing, prosthetic creation and application, on-set grooming, lab work, theater makeup and beauty makeup. Annually she works on Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. Her credits include many music videos, the TV Series “The Haunt,” and “The Chuckie Ramirez show,” and many films such as films “Above the Clouds,” Blue Moon Ball,” “Good Night,” and “Zorpo.”

Magali Serrano

Magali Serrano is a Licensed Hairstylist and Make-up Artist. She is a graduate of Make-up Designory’s Burbank campus as well as WEST VALLEY OCCUPATIONAL CENTER’S Cosmetology program. She has done hair and make-up for many areas of print, film, and television such as Fenty Beauty, Beauty Blender, Ironman Fitness, Camila Cabello Romance Album Cover, ADIDAS, Sharknado 4, Confessions of a Hollywood Bartender, Ingrid Goes West, and much more.

Ray Shaffer

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2002, Ray Shaffer has been employed in the motion picture industry as a special make-up effects sculptor, mold-maker, hair technician, and applications artist. He has worked with numerous Oscar®-winning make-up artists including Michele Burke, Barney Burman and Christien Tinsley and has assisted in producing prosthetic appliances for actors that have included Tom Cruise, Kevin Costner, Chris Pine, Leonard Nimoy, Jason Statham, and Winona Ryder. His filmography includes Star Trek (2009), The Watchman, Tron Legacy, Crank, I Am Legend, Mr. Brooks and Tropic Thunder. He attended Bourne High School in Bourne, MA, and holds a BFA in Theatre from Salem State University in MA.

Karrieann Sillay

KarrieAnn Sillay has been a professional Make-up and Special Make-up Effects Artist for fifteen years. Mrs. Sillay’s work has included film and television productions such as We Are Marshall, Heavens Fall, Elvis (CBS miniseries), The Crow, Gacy, Five Fingers, Rollerball 2000, and music videos for Limp Bizkit, Courtney Love, and Macy Gray. She has had the honor of working with many celebrities such as Laurence Fishburne, LL Cool J, Dennis Hopper, Jean Reno, Alan Arkin, Frank Langella, Tyler Perry, Juliet Landau, Tito Ortiz, Lucia Rijker, Tara Reid, David Boreanaz, Rose McGowan, Daniel Baldwin, Naveen Andrews, Rebecca Romijn, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Randy Quaid, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Mackie, Russell Simmons, Colm Meaney, Ryan Phillippe, Timothy Hutton, Billy Zane, Bryan Cranston, and Chris Klein. Mrs. Sillay is a graduate of Woodbridge High School in Irvine, CA, and Make-up Designory. She continues to develop herself professionally by taking courses in instructional methodology and by working as an artist in the film and television industry.

Mary Anne Toccalino

Mary Anne Toccalino has been a professional Make-up Artist and consultant for the cosmetics industry for over 30 years. Since 1997, she has worked to develop a strong background in commercials, industrial videos, and print, for clients like Chrysler, General Motors, The Detroit Pistons, Merrill Lynch, Audi, K-Mart, Benetton, and Domino’s Pizza. Ms. Toccalino has worked for major cosmetics companies including Lancôme, Ralph Lauren, Rene Guinot, Sothys, La Prairie, Dermalogica, MOP, Giovanni, and Sebastian. Her more recent fashion credits include Lux Life Fashion Evolution 2007 in Miami, Florida. Ms. Toccalino has also owned and operated her own business for over nine years. Her film and television credits include work as a Make-up Supervisor for Jelly at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, The Big Story, and The Faith Hill Special (NBC). She has worked with personalities such as Michael Jackson, Gary Oldman, Lily Tomlin and Rachel Hunter. Ms. Toccalino is a graduate of Radford Union High School in Radford, MI, Joe Blasco Makeup Artist Training Center in Hollywood, CA, and Make-up Designory. Ms. Toccalino has her A.A. in Humanitarian Arts from Oakland University in Oakland, MI and an esthetician’s degree from Virginia Farrell in Royal Oak, MI. Additionally, she has received make-up training from Lancôme, MAC, Dermologica, Giovanni, Arbonne, Estee Lauder, Bumble & Bumble, and Toni & Guy; additionally, she has instructional methodology training from UCLA Extension and the Coalition of New York State Career Schools.

Lisa Leveridge

Lisa has been a professional make-up artist and hairstylist for 30 years. Her career began after graduating John H. Glenn High School and Long Island Beauty School in New York, where she received a cosmetology license. She began working on various television productions for ABC, NBC, FOX, HBO, MTV, VH-1, PBS, and Comedy Central, as well as print and runway for Revlon, and Betsey Johnson. In 1996 she was given the opportunity to move to Los Angeles where she continued as the make-up artist for Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, (later named Real Time with Bill Maher). This led her to join Local 706 – Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild. Her vast experience in the industry has allowed her to work on sitcoms, sketch shows, reality shows, talk shows, episodic, game shows, commercials, award shows, red carpet events, news shows, print ads, and fashion shows. She has also been the personal make-up artist for Jenny McCarthy, Carmen Electra, and Kathy Griffin. Her celebrity client list includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Hanks, Chris Rock, Claudia Schiffer, Ben Affleck, Sarah Silverman, Michael Bublé, Bill Clinton, Lisa Kudrow, Jaime King, Rob Lowe, Rose McGowan, Alyssa Milano, Alec Baldwin, Nicole Richie, Jack Black, Marilyn Manson, Cyndi Lauper, Green Day, and Guns n’ Roses. Most recently she lent her talents to Dancing with the Stars.

I loved everything about it! As an international student, I highly recommend it!

Maria Camilla G.

Maria Camilla G.

I did a lot of research looking for the right makeup school for me and my interests. MUD was the best place for me. Teachers go above and beyond for their students and they have a great career placement program.

Lindsey B.

Lindsey B.

I took their master course and I don't regret taking it! This school really breaks that glass ceiling and gives you opportunities to meet and be around professionals in the industry. I graduated a little over a year ago, and I already have my dream job. Working for a recognized professional artist making feature films!

Rogue Z.

Rogue Z.

Best place for special effects; very convenient and parking right at the back of the school. All instructors are great. Be simple, love what you do and it will be a piece of cake.

Bertha A.

Bertha A.

Los Angeles

129 S. San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502

818.729.9420

CAMPUS HOURS
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm

New York City

65 Broadway, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10006

212.925.9250

CAMPUS HOURS
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm