Our staff and instructors are dedicated to providing an environment conducive to learning. Class sizes are kept
small to allow for personal one-on-one time when necessary to ensure student comprehension.
small to allow for personal one-on-one time when necessary to ensure student comprehension.
Emily Cohen joined the CalCopa family as the school's Director in January 2006. She has more than twenty years experience in
management, training, organization and curriculum development. Under her guidance the school has refined its educational
criteria, added several new electives and enjoyed a 100% pass rate on the grueling NCTMB exam. At the same time, she
completed all of the classes comprising the Massage Practitioner Program, secured licensing in Torrance and Huntington Beach,
California and gathered some industry experience working for Burke-Williams Day Spa. She also teaches the Massage
Technician, Ethics and Business & Professionalism classes and occasionally volunteers as a CPR/First Aid instructor for the
American Red Cross.
For information about Emily and her practice, please visit www.SunsetSerenity.massagetherapy.com
management, training, organization and curriculum development. Under her guidance the school has refined its educational
criteria, added several new electives and enjoyed a 100% pass rate on the grueling NCTMB exam. At the same time, she
completed all of the classes comprising the Massage Practitioner Program, secured licensing in Torrance and Huntington Beach,
California and gathered some industry experience working for Burke-Williams Day Spa. She also teaches the Massage
Technician, Ethics and Business & Professionalism classes and occasionally volunteers as a CPR/First Aid instructor for the
American Red Cross.
For information about Emily and her practice, please visit www.SunsetSerenity.massagetherapy.com
Emily B. Cohen, BA, NCTMB, ABMP, LMT - Director
Michelle M. Mangano, BA, NCBTMB, ABMP - Associate Director, Dean of Teachers
With over 25 years of corporate experience, Michelle Mangano relies on her vast background to ensure a quality operation. She
has been involved in all business aspects from Human Resources, Management, Training & Development, Customer Service
and Operations. As Dean of Teachers and Associate Director, she and Emily Cohen focus on running the school with a high
level of Customer Service, while maintaining a family run environment.
Since stepping into her role as Dean of Teachers, Michelle continues to update the curriculum to reflect the evolving trends in the
massage industry and ensures every student has the knowledge and skills to have successful, lengthy careers as massage
therapists. This is reflected by the 100% pass rate of CalCopa students taking the NCTMB exam. Her teaching philosophy has
always been; make sure the students have the skills and knowledge required, but have fun during the learning process.
has been involved in all business aspects from Human Resources, Management, Training & Development, Customer Service
and Operations. As Dean of Teachers and Associate Director, she and Emily Cohen focus on running the school with a high
level of Customer Service, while maintaining a family run environment.
Since stepping into her role as Dean of Teachers, Michelle continues to update the curriculum to reflect the evolving trends in the
massage industry and ensures every student has the knowledge and skills to have successful, lengthy careers as massage
therapists. This is reflected by the 100% pass rate of CalCopa students taking the NCTMB exam. Her teaching philosophy has
always been; make sure the students have the skills and knowledge required, but have fun during the learning process.
| CalCopa Instructors |
Celina Reynolds, NCBTMB, ABMP - Senior Instructor; Core Classes and Electives
Celina graduated from CalCopa as a Holistic Health Practitioner. She is currently working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in
Human Services. She has her own private practice to maintain her massage therapy skills.
Celina loves teaching using techniques for visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning. Her goal is to have students leave her
classes prepared for the next level of education. Ultimately, she hopes our students leave CalCopa with the confidence and
knowledge to pass the National Certification exam, or any city tests required for licensing; all this to help students fulfill their
personal career goals. In addition to teaching both full-time and part-time classes, Celina helps out in the office whenever
necessary.
Classes: All Core Classes, Acupressure, Animal Massage, Curriculum Review, Geriatric Massage, Hot Stone Massage,
Pregnancy I & II, Reflexology I & II, Shiatsu, Tuina
Human Services. She has her own private practice to maintain her massage therapy skills.
Celina loves teaching using techniques for visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning. Her goal is to have students leave her
classes prepared for the next level of education. Ultimately, she hopes our students leave CalCopa with the confidence and
knowledge to pass the National Certification exam, or any city tests required for licensing; all this to help students fulfill their
personal career goals. In addition to teaching both full-time and part-time classes, Celina helps out in the office whenever
necessary.
Classes: All Core Classes, Acupressure, Animal Massage, Curriculum Review, Geriatric Massage, Hot Stone Massage,
Pregnancy I & II, Reflexology I & II, Shiatsu, Tuina
Grant Nichol, - H.H.P. Thai Instructor
Rhonda has been attuning Reiki Practitioners for several years. In addition to her successful Costa Mesa business
as a healer using nutrition and balancing, she completed two degrees; a B.H.S. in Health Sciences and Nutrition
and a Bachelors of Metaphysical Sciences. She brings her vast knowledge and healing abilities to CalCopa as our
Reiki Master and Nutrition Specialist.
Classes: Reiki I, Reiki II, Reiki III (Reiki Master), Reiki Instructor, Feng Shui
as a healer using nutrition and balancing, she completed two degrees; a B.H.S. in Health Sciences and Nutrition
and a Bachelors of Metaphysical Sciences. She brings her vast knowledge and healing abilities to CalCopa as our
Reiki Master and Nutrition Specialist.
Classes: Reiki I, Reiki II, Reiki III (Reiki Master), Reiki Instructor, Feng Shui
Dr. Rhonda Donahue, CNM, BNsc, MMsc ,Reiki Master - Reiki Instructor
Grant is a CalCopa alumni who continues to grow as a Holistic Health Practitioner. After taking Thai classes
at CalCopa, he went to Thailand to further his knowledge in the art of Thai Massage. He brings this
knowledge back to the school to pass on to our students for a more complete knowledge of Thai Massage.
For information about Grant and his practice, please visit http://www.holisticbodywork.net.
Classes: Thai, Table Thai, Thai II
at CalCopa, he went to Thailand to further his knowledge in the art of Thai Massage. He brings this
knowledge back to the school to pass on to our students for a more complete knowledge of Thai Massage.
For information about Grant and his practice, please visit http://www.holisticbodywork.net.
Classes: Thai, Table Thai, Thai II
Carri was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she started her training in Lomi Lomi when she was 11 years old, she studied
with her Auntie. Carri is also a CalCopa alumna and has taught massage courses at CalCopa and various
other schools for about sixteen years. She teaches our Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and Crystal Drum Healing
Classes. She has a successful massage private practice in Northern California and is building a place in the woods
to have nature and massage retreats. You can learn more about Carri at her websites: www.panthermoon.org and
www.carrithomas.com.
Classes: Animal Massage, Crystal & Drum Healing, Hawaiian LomiLomi I & II, Pregnancy I & II
with her Auntie. Carri is also a CalCopa alumna and has taught massage courses at CalCopa and various
other schools for about sixteen years. She teaches our Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and Crystal Drum Healing
Classes. She has a successful massage private practice in Northern California and is building a place in the woods
to have nature and massage retreats. You can learn more about Carri at her websites: www.panthermoon.org and
www.carrithomas.com.
Classes: Animal Massage, Crystal & Drum Healing, Hawaiian LomiLomi I & II, Pregnancy I & II
Carri Thomas, B.S., M.A. Herbologist - Instructor
About Our Staff and Instructors
Sara Lerner, B.A. magna Cum Laude, LMT, CAK - Instructor; Core Classes and Electives
Sara has been a Massage Therapist and Applied Kinesiologist for 12 years. As an instructor, her goal is to help people to
start a fulfilling career they will love. She focuses on helping students master technical skills and proper body mechanics
while maintaining emotional and spiritual grounding to sustain a long a fruitful healing massage practice. She has dedicated
her life full time to the healing arts, both as an instructor at CalCopa and as a massage therapist in a variety of settings
including private practice, spas and corporate/on-site events.
Classes: Massage Technician, Massage Therapist I & II, Deep Tissue
start a fulfilling career they will love. She focuses on helping students master technical skills and proper body mechanics
while maintaining emotional and spiritual grounding to sustain a long a fruitful healing massage practice. She has dedicated
her life full time to the healing arts, both as an instructor at CalCopa and as a massage therapist in a variety of settings
including private practice, spas and corporate/on-site events.
Classes: Massage Technician, Massage Therapist I & II, Deep Tissue
Alicia Barrera-Warwick, CMT, HHP, RMT, NCBTMB, ABMP, Reiki Master, Esthetician, Author, Spa Instructor
Alicia Barrera-Warwick,is the author of Keep It Simple Spa: Showerless Body Spa
Treatments and Add-on's for Your Session Room. She is the owner of Art Face Beauty
Productions where she offers services in skin, makeup, massage and reiki; as well as
specialty workshops for the beauty and spa industry. For more information about Alicia,
please visit: www.MassageAndFacials.com. Or email her at SpaVixen@msn.com
Classes: Spa Services I and II
Treatments and Add-on's for Your Session Room. She is the owner of Art Face Beauty
Productions where she offers services in skin, makeup, massage and reiki; as well as
specialty workshops for the beauty and spa industry. For more information about Alicia,
please visit: www.MassageAndFacials.com. Or email her at SpaVixen@msn.com
Classes: Spa Services I and II
Born and raised in California, TJ joined the army at 18 and served until his 21st birthday. Upon re-enlisting as a
permanent party "civilian" he decided alleviating pain made better use of his hands than creating it, so he began
massage school. His passion for health, healing and the exchange of knowledge drives him. As a graduate from
Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute, his skills include: Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue,
Barefoot Compression, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Visceral Lymphatic Drainage, Cranial Sacral Therapy,
Reflexology and Tuina.
Classes: Barefoot Compression Massage and Lymphatic Drainage
permanent party "civilian" he decided alleviating pain made better use of his hands than creating it, so he began
massage school. His passion for health, healing and the exchange of knowledge drives him. As a graduate from
Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute, his skills include: Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue,
Barefoot Compression, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Visceral Lymphatic Drainage, Cranial Sacral Therapy,
Reflexology and Tuina.
Classes: Barefoot Compression Massage and Lymphatic Drainage
TJ Reynolds, Massage Therapist
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