Academy Staff

While our team comprises many nationalities they all share a passion for style, great service and a desire to share their vision with the next generation of world-class hairdressers.
Emma Kareliussen, Creative Director

Emma is Swedish and has lived in Barcelona since 2002 and has more than 20 years experience in her field. She has worked all over the world, from Stockholm to London and Dubai, and is the the owner of WIT.  Emma is constantly on the lookout for new professional challenges and she regularly collaborates at the New York and Madrid Fashion Weeks. Emma gives regular training sessions around Spain specialising in colour techniques and is Creative Director and owner of Barcelona Hair Academy.  

Cecily Doyle, Administrative Director

Cecily is British and has lived and worked in Barcelona since 2000. She has a degree in English Literature and Spanish from the University of Leeds UK and over 20 years experience in Administration and Management.  Cecily is owner of Barcelona Hair Academy which she started with Emma Kareliussen in 2014.

Ricardo Graça, Educator

Ricardo is Portuguese and has been working as a hairdresser, teacher and makeup artist for over 10 years. Ricardo has experience working at a number of academies in Barcelona and has also worked on fashion shoots, television and theatre. Ricardo has been an educator at BHA for many years, teaching Beginners students and professionals alike.

Egor Lushov, Educator

Egor is originally from Kaliningrad, Russia.  He graduated from the Baltic Federal University with a degree in Public Relations and after deciding to leave grey rainy Kaliningrad and move to Barcelona, he began studying hairdressing at Barcelona Hair Academy and hasn’t looked back since. Egor is now Senior Stylist at WIT  and an Educator at Barcelona Hair Academy.

Demi Verstraten, Educator

Demi is originally from the Netherlands. She has worked for 6.5 years in a salon and academy in Amsterdam. She worked really close with brands like L’Oreál and Matrix where she completed a degree specializing in hair color. Besides that she also went to Barberschool Amsterdam where she specialized in mens cuts and beards too.

Not only is she crazy about hair, she is an art lover as well.