TRAINERS & ASSESSORS
TRAINERS AND SPECIALIST TRAINERS
High-quality training and assessment mean students are well equipped for employment or further study; our qualification is seen as credible in the marketplace, and our trainers are chosen by their skill level, knowledge
as well as holding the skills and competencies specified in our qualification.
In turn, high-quality training and assessment mean that employers can have confidence that vocational education and training (VET) graduates in the workplace will safely and productively apply the skills described by their qualification.
Our teachers, trainers, and assessors are qualified, knowledgeable industry working professionals, highly skilled in the chosen subject's they deliver. The amount of training we offer allows the student time to perfect their newly acquired skills, long before they are ever assessed on a subject. Training in makeup requires consistent practice to perfect learned skills.
Students have ongoing access to excellent learning resources and facilities at The Makeup Technicians with full Makeup Library, Photo Studio, Product Resources, Access to Computers and or WIFI for design and topic research.
Assessment activities are fair and well explained prior to being assessed and students are given their strongly desired feedback, to assist in perfecting students application styles and knowledge. It is at this point where they can hone in on their skills, realizing what they are required to know if they want to work as an artist in the industry. It is simply a matter of practising specific task's confidently to be able to go out and execute, our work experience program assists & encourages the student's to get ut their on the job and excel at what they have learned in class. Confidence building for future Makeup Artist career goals.
All trainers are qualified for Training and Assessment holding the current Training and Assessment Qualification TAE40116 under the Department of Education conditions.
The trainers all work across varied industries including film, television, theatre, TVC’s, Prosthetics, Runway, and Photography. They form an internal network of experts who continuously share their experiences and information within the school, providing both their fellow tutors and students with the latest industry techniques and professional skills. On many occasions, our tutors will take promising students out on jobs as their assistants adding tremendous value to the student’s industry work experience and makeup knowledge.
Carmelle Watkins
My story begins over 20 years ago, while working for a clothing company here in Sydney, I set off to the USA to meet up with a friend for a couple of weeks and was in the right place at the right time, getting the opportunity to assist
in the wardrobe department on an Elton John Video Clip, (more to the story but don't want to bore you, lol).
That one stint on a film clip changed my life, as soon as I returned to Australia I looked for a makeup school, finding Makeup Glamour in Bondi Junction, I left my full-time job & enrolled in the course, all set to follow my creative passion, I have and still am having the best time, learning, designing and working with creative people every day.
Since completing the equivalent to Diploma and Advanced Skill Set, I have worked as a freelance make-up artist on many Television Shows including the Sci-Fi American TV drama “Farscape”, Australia’s Better Homes & Gardens, Search for a Supermodel “FOX” and have been a makeup designer at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week.
Commercials (TVC’s) including Fosters, Around the World (Sydney Olympics) a regular creating characters for McDonald's, KFC, and Toohey’s TVC's, highlighted in magazines like Woman’s Day, Cleo, New Woman, Marie Claire, Grazia, and Brush, offering expert advice on makeup applications and trends. With teaching I specialize in a variety of subjects in the Diploma of Screen and Media of Specialist Makeup and Advanced Skill Set, Beauty, Fashion, Macro, Getting work in the Industry, airbrushing to name a few.
In 2018 & 2019 "I WON" Educator of the Year MAGAP - (Makeup Artist Guild Asia Pacific)
I am a current board member of ITECA - Independent Tertiary Education Council of Australia.
previously known as ACPET Australian Council of Private Education and Training.
Fiona Cooper-Sutherland
Fiona has been involved in the Entertainment Industry for over 21 years and has worked as a Makeup Artist and hairstylist for over 19 years and has experience in many areas including Film, Fashion, Television, Theatre, Commercials, and Body Art, specializing in all things Theatre, working at the Sydney Opera House in the Makeup and Wig Department for the past 17 years. She works on many shows preparing the performers makeup and wig application as well as frequent publicity shots for Opera Australia with performers such as the late Dame Joan Sutherland, Joan Carden, Cheryl Barker, and Peter Coleman-Wright, and conductor Simone Young. Other theatre credits include The Story of Abby, L’Orfeo, and Away.
Fiona’s television credits include SBS’s “Mum’s the Word”, and MTV. TVC’s include Foxtel, Kelloggs, Never-fail Spring Water, and The Royal Lifesavers Association. Photography stills include Australia’s Wonderland, Hunt Classic Clothing, Siege Clothing, and Volvo. Corporate campaigns include Vodafone, Telstra, Toyota, Kimberly-Clarke, Phillips, Readers Digest, and Arnott’s Biscuits. Fiona also currently works as a model/dancer and models for various body art campaigns and commercials, She is one of the Makeup School’s Head Trainer.
Chereine Waddell
Rapidly developing a reputation for genuine artistic originality and versatility delivered with inimitable personal quirk, Chereine Waddell was voted AHFA Make-Up Artist of the Year 2016 and MAGAP Creative Makeup Artist of the year 2019 & 2020, being placed number one on the judge’s scorecard by none other than global industry icons Val Garland and Dotti. "There is a distinct aura to her artistry. Her technical execution is flawless, her creativity just magical” - Val Garland
With a strong background in fashion, fine arts and SFX it was Chereine’s innate understanding and appreciation for colour, design and technique that initially drove her into a career in makeup. Now, with a very holistic approach to her craft, Chereine oscillates fluidly between photographic and editorial work, working alongside esteemed Hair, Fashion and Beauty photographers, with work published in Elle China, Vogue Italia online, Culture, Oyster, Peppermint, Laud, The Journal, Lucy, Factice, Vulkan, The fashion journal, Schön and the list goes on.
A strong advocate for knowledge & sharing, teaching has always played an important part in Chereine’s vocational path. An 10 year tenure across various private and public makeup colleges, Chereine takes on the role of Make Up Educator charged with the cultivation of the next gen, mentoring many aspiring artists along the way. She regularly shares her knowledge and skills in collaboration with industry education workshops.
Her role as beauty editor for Australian hair fashion and beauty magazine Laud, saw her orchestrating creative shoots and pitching concepts for editorials while regularly conducting industry interviews, creating community between the fine art and fashion worlds. She continues to thrive on cross pollinating multidisciplinary skills to create unique imagery that tells a story and questions perception.
Challenging artistic boundaries with efficiency, skill and balance, Chereine inspires and excites the senses by enhancing beauty in its many forms, the boundaries of imagination the only ceiling to her creative thought processes. While her signature looks are bold and sometimes daring, her ability to simultaneously create stunningly fresh and flawless faces positions her at the forefront of beauty shoot appointments and eagerly engaged by photographers who insist on complexion perfection.
Spirited and youthful, in 2021 this talented MUA is set to launch her first book entitled Beyond the Face, a highly personal anecdote, a creative catalogue of over 60 Make Up images, accompanied by a unique personal inspirational stimulus from her childhood. Pre-release sign up available at chereinewaddell.com along with her first collection of professional educational masterclasses, suited to the novice or the pro wanting to learn, up skill or expand into makeup for photography.
Chereine is based in Sydney, where she shares her life with her photographer husband Jarred Stedman and their pug Popsicle.
SPECIALIST TRAINERS
Jessica Murray
Jessica has worked in the Theatre and Film world, on production as hair cutter on Angelina Jolie’s feature film “UNBROKEN”, Les Miserables head of wigs department and a hairstylist on the feature film “Great Gatsby”. She has knotted human hair wigs for stage shows such as Wicked, Moonshadow, The King and I and Strictly Ballroom. Also making several pieces of facial hair, including mustaches, beards, and sideburns for Mary Poppins.
Gordana Willesee
Gordana previous head of Makeup and Hair at Channel nine Sydney, since leaving this demanding role, Gordana has continued to freelance as celebrity makeup and hairstylist for Australian and International celebs. Also adds tattooing as well as Eye Brow expert to her long list of credentials, Gordana is a guest tutor and shows her learned skills to our students, upcoming artists. check her out at www.drfreckleandmrhide.com
Danielle Snashall
Danielle is famous in the makeup industry for her SPFX and television work, creating amazing looks in ghoulish bodies working on the Wolfe Creek franchise. She has been a makeup artist on the junket tours of many Hollywood films including Inglorious Basterds, Little Women, Skyfall, Brave Heart, and Mamma Mia. Throughout her career, she has made up a plethora of Hollywood stars including two Bond Girls – Caterina Murino (Casino Royale) and Bérénice Marlohe (Skyfall) as well as James Cameron, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogan, and Jack Black – just to name a few. She has also worked on music videos, commercials and many of Australia’s favorite television shows including All Saints, White Collar Blue and currently ABC’s The Checkout. www.daniellesnashell.com.au
Christine Elhert
The fabulous Christine has been an industry expert in make-up application and wig making for more than 20 years. Christine is living and working in Sydney as a Makeup Artist and Hair Designer, working in Film productions, Television, Opera, Theatre, Editorials, Bridals, Commercials, and Events with many well-known personalities. Christine worked overseas, in Greece, Sri Lanka, Philippines, New Zealand, Fiji and many exciting locations in Australia, and on many productions. She recently wrapped on the fabulous, Baz Lurhman epic “The Great Gatsby”.
Kelly Bowman
Kelly started her career at The Makeup Technicians and continues to amaze with her beautiful work. Kelly moved to the UK where she firmly established herself in the European market. She worked on several advertising campaigns with Apple, Dove, Herbal Essences and Sainsbury’s. She was also recruited as a freelance artist for Hourglass Cosmetics, which is one of the worlds most sort after luxury brands. Throughout Kelly’s career, her work has been featured in various publications such as Cosmopolitan, Frankie, Russh, Elle UK and Stella UK. Most recently Kelly has worked on the makeup team for Australia’s Next Top Model and The Voice in 2016 and continues to work on The Voice 2017.
Andrew Keshan
Andrew first studied Graphic Design after leaving school, leading him to a hobby of photography and photographic makeup. From here he was encouraged to consider Makeup as a career, taking up studies full-time at The Makeup Technicians, Makeup School here in Sydney. He graduated top of his year in June of 1994.
Freelancing in Photographic makeup, Corporate Film, Television, and Theatre. He started with The Australian Opera in May of 1995 and was soon offered a full-time position, becoming Deputy Head of Department in 1996 when the company became Opera Australia. In 2006, Andrew was promoted to Head of Performance Wigs & Makeup where he continues today after 22 years service in the department. He has worked on every in-house production by Opera Australia since he started with them and has toured to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth apart from being based at the Sydney Opera House. In 2010, he toured to Scotland with Neil Armfield’s Australian production of “Bliss” for the Edinburgh International Festival with OA. Andrew also appears as a guest tutor at Theatrical Makeup Mentor with the Young Scholars of the Melba Opera Trust in Melbourne.
Lisa Cotterill
Lisa has been a makeup artist and hairstylist for over 20 years. Lisa has worked in photographic, magazine editorials, corporate videos, TVC’s, television, films, and private special occasion work. Lisa has a passion for SPFX makeup, wounds, death, character design, creatures, and prosthetics.Lisa’s love of SPFX took her career into science and she completed a Bachelor of Science (forensic science) and a Bachelor of Honours (Science), enhancing her knowledge and understanding of cosmetic chemistry and product formulation. Lisa has freelanced for Channel Nine, SBS and ABC, numerous commercials including Arnott’s Tim Tams, and Australia Day campaigns, as well as working as Head of Special Effects Makeup for the major motion picture “Wyrmwood” Lisa brought her talent to the Makeup School in 2016 and we haven’t looked back with her awesome creative talent.
OFFICE STAFF
Carmelle Watkins – Director
Has prolonged & intense experience through practice and education in running an RTO, adept at Management, including experience in Social Media. After earning her Diploma in Specialist Makeup Services and specializing in Business, Carmelle has an extensive list of credits within the entertainment industry. In addition to building a creative environment for students to study their craft and build their own personal style, she has worked in various areas of the industry including a vast amount of Television Commercials -TVC's, short films, print media, magazine, and billboard shoots like QANTAS and major Television sports events. When Carmelle is not at The Makeup Technicians, she continues to enjoy a successful freelance makeup career working within the industry.
Conor Coleman – Board Director
Conor is the new Director at The Makeup Technicians and works intimately with staff, tutors and students. Conor has extensive knowledge of the market place as well as knowledge in makeup and education trends across Australia and Asia. With his strong organizational and managerial skills, he is a great asset to our school.
Lidia Faustino-Yip – Office Manager Student Coordinator
Lidia works directly with our students to ensure their satisfaction and success in all programs. Working tirelessly to secure great industry work experience for the students, she is responsible for the smooth running of classes and ensures the classrooms are always organized and stocked with make-up products. She has been a successful office manager who knows the industry and understands the challenges of being an on-the-job professional. Lidia is available for consultation and advice on work experience as well as all administrative and course enquires.
Katrina Griffiths
Accounts Department, and International Agent, Student liaison.