TLC Faculty and Staff
Amber White
Executive Director
Natural Health Educator, Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Massage Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist
Instructor: Essential Oils Therapy, Professional Studies II
Working with Twin Lakes College over the past many years has inspired and encouraged Amber to follow the principles of the TLC philosophy of the “Client Centered” approach to wellness.
Gleaning information from many years of professional experience as the Registrar and a variety of teaching experiences, Amber brings her warm and relaxed style, in a professionally oriented manner, to her new title of Executive Director. She is filling the shoes of retired Becky Green, Phd, Director Emeritus, of 27 years who is also her mother.
Amber began her massage and healing arts training in 1986. She has studied dream work, women’s spirituality, hypnotherapy, process work, art therapy, flower essences, and her topic of choice, essential oils. Amber studied Aromatherapy with Brysis Buchanan, Elizabeth Jones, Ruah Bull and many others. She is also a graduate of the Women’s Spirituality Studies Program at Twin Lakes College.
Amber continues to bring her expertise of the business aspects of healing arts into clarity while embracing the “client–centered” approach. In her communications as Registrar, Executive Director and Instructor, she attends carefully to the conveyance of “client centered” philosophy.
Amber says she has the best job ever. She has the benefit of observing the transformation, evolution, blossoming and becoming of hundreds of students the world over is amazing. “To be part of a team of professionals coming together to provide high quality, meaningful vocational education to empower and encourage wellness, is a dream come true.”
Maria Teresa Woythaler
Massage Program Director
Outreach Program Coordinator
Certified Massage Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Health Educator
Instructor: Swedish I & II, Essential Oils Massage, Thai Massage I & II, Career Path Focus, Chair Massage
Maria Teresa has been an instructor at TLC since 1992. She has taught and trained all over the world, from studying Thai massage at the Chiang–Mai International School of Massage in Thailand to teaching courses in El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Her dedication to the education of healing arts and world experience coupled with her comprehensive and compassionate style of teaching create a nurturing and grounded learning environment. Her passion for her work is translated into the classroom in the form of inspiration and role modeling. Her hard work and dedication to the TLC Community Outreach Programs is a unique opportunity for students to volunteer and practice on people from our community. For years the Outreach Programs have benefited so many, from ICU nurses to local firefighters. Maria Teresa has brought the experience of healthy and safe touch to high school and college career fairs.
Megan Myers
Certified Massage Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Health Educator
TLC Office Manager, Essential Oils Therapy Teaching Assistant
Megan brings her kind, upbeat energy to the position of office manager of TLC since 2005. Megan’s love of learning has been a continuing motivation in her studies. Megan is dedicated to the healing arts and has spent much time volunteering and participating in many massage outreach events, high school team sports events, local bicycle marathons, teacher appreciation programs, local surfing competitions and more.
Jane Ann Clemens
Massage Therapist, Natural Health Educator, CAT
Instructor: Professional Studies I, Reiki I, II, & III, Trigger Point Techniques I & II, The Core, Facial Rejuvenation, Scapula Workshop, Accessing Your Inner Wisdom, and ongoing creator of new personal enrichment programs.
In her eight years of professional practice, Jane has found that people who are suffering from chronic pain are the main source of her business. Jane’s work is a balance between hands, heart, and intuition, which allows the client to guide each session with loving, non–judgmental, healthy touch as the bridge. She is excited to add Oncology Massage and hypnosis to her practice. Different people respond to different modalities and it’s nice to be able to offer what the client feels is most useful on their healing journey.
Jane received her degree from the University of Arizona with a double major in horticulture and soils. Her work with plants really honed her intuition…and she loves reading about science theory on many differing subjects such as quantum physics, geology, chaos theory and more.
Jane loves creating art—it is always very personal and comes from deep within. She sees art everywhere: patterns, color, texture, and meaning in nature or urban settings. There are many people who think they are not “artists” so they have forgone the pleasure of creating from their heart and hands. Jane believes everyone has their own unique style and is amazed to see what people create!
“I think that Quantum Physics Theory says what ancient mystics have been saying all along…we are each a unique part of the whole and connected to everything in the universe (both with–in and with–out) by the use of our open, infinite inner knowing that we are all blessed with.”
Jane is a regular blogger for Massage Santa Cruz, offering self care inspiration and more.
Molly Cruz
Certified Doula Instructor, Childbirth Educator, Certified Massage Therapist
Instructor: Prenatal Massage, Birthwise Doula Certification Program
Molly has been the teaching assistant for the Doula courses since 2004 and has been the instructor of the program since 2007. Along with teaching the Doula course Molly is also certified in Infant Massage through the I.A.I.M. Her teaching style an integration of lecturing, demonstration, role–playing, encouragement of discussion within the group, and openness to questions about topics. For many years Molly volunteered her time as president of the non–profit organization, Nurture, and offered labor support and childbirth classes to low income families. She also participates in Birth Network’s Birth, Babies and Bellies Expo and has been a member for many years.
Kayla Garnet Rose
Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Reiki III Practitioner
Director and Instructor of our Hypnotherapy Program
Kayla Garnet Rose is a certified Hypnotherapist and a certified Reiki III Practitioner, as well as a Professional Astrologer and Professional Tarot Reader.
Kayla is currently enrolled in a PhD program in Holistic Health through the American Institute of Holistic Theology. For 12 years Kayla was the owner and operator of the Herland Book Café. Kayla is on the current directorship team of the Santa Cruz Women’s Chapter of Leads Club and a volunteer at Tierra Pacifica Charter School.
Jay Gilliland
Massage Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Somatic Therapist, Craniosacral Therapist
Instructor: Deep Tissue, Structural Transformation, Myofascial Release, Facilitated Stretching, Somatic Neuromuscular Release, and Postural Analysis & body Evaluation
Jay is certified by the NBCTMB as a continuing education provider. Teaching since 1989, Jay has over 2,000 hours of training with some of the top bodywork teachers in the USA and has trained extensively in Asia. Expanded human performance through the application of Orthopedic and Sports Massage modalities are integrated into his private practice. The transpersonal dimensions of healing, how consciousness relates to the mind/body, and meditation are the focus of his practice and teaching as a certified Holotropic Breathwork Practitioner. He travels, teaching seminars and workshops internationally. Hobbies include surfing, swimming martial arts, and just having fun.
Kerry Glendening
Certified Massage Therapist, Natural Health Educator
Instructor: Swedish Massage I
Kerry has completed several massage programs and advanced courses at TLC and throughout the bay area, integrating all the techniques she has learned into her massage practice. She has been a practicing Massage Therapist since 2003. Her teaching style is student–centered, detailed and caring. She encourages students by giving them the tools to feel confident with their inner knowledge and enthusiastic towards massage and the healing arts. Kerry continues to participate in TLC Outreach Programs.
Gitanjali Hemp
Certified Massage Therapist
Instructor: Acupressure, Foot Focus, Infant T‘ui na
Gitanjali has been an instructor at TLC for the past 2 years has been a professional Massage Therapist for 10 years. She supports each student to receive information with the most ease, as Gitanjali feels it is essential to the learning process. Gitanjali has taught in several states and countries and integrates her world experiences into the class room and teaching style. Gitanjali has volunteered her efforts at The Drop In Center in Santa Cruz and worked with the Santa Cruz Aids Project (SCAP).
Robyn Michele Jones
Natural Health Educator, M.A. Core Process Psychotherapy, Registered Craniosacral Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master Teacher, Massage Therapist
Instructor: Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy 2–year Foundation Training, Intrinsic Touch I & II, Postural Analysis and Bodyreading, Workshops: Introduction to Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), Rocking and Rolling, Somatic Tracking for Bodyworkers
In addition to loving teaching at TLC, Robyn Michele Jones has a private practice out of her home office in Santa Cruz and assists in advanced BCST courses in the Marin area. She received her initial certificate in Swedish Massage and Polarity from TLC in 1984. Currently, she specializes in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release (John Barnes style). The focus of her work is in assisting stress relief and supporting recovery from chronic pain, injury, and trauma.
Since receiving her original certification, Robyn Michele has continued to study many modalities both Eastern and Western. From 1998 on, she has been focusing on Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release, always learning more about the healing benefits of hydration of our tissues and how to access the energetic underpinnings of our unresolved experience. With her ongoing profound interest in our healing as a whole, she studied the practice of Core Process Psychotherapy, an embodied mindfulness–based therapy. Robyn Michele began teaching at TLC in 2002. In the past, she also taught Biomechanics and supervised the Senior Outreach Program. Her style is collaborative and supportive. She absolutely loves sharing what she has learned.
Robyn Michele shares: “I am so grateful that I have been able to pursue a life of deep healing both for myself and in service of my students and clients. I will never forget my first massage. It was then that I realized that touch is as essential as breathing.”
Wendy Mann
Certified Massage Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Aromatherapist,
Natural Health Counselor
Instructor: Professional Studies I
Wendy received her training at Twin Lakes College and has been practicing massage professionally since 2003. She feels the curriculum for the Professional Studies courses is essential in preparation for going out to the community and being the best professional possible. Also, she feels this class gives students insight into all aspects of the massage business and continues TLC’s mission to be truly “Client–Centered” in the healing arts. Wendy has a compassionate teaching style and, coupled together with her personal experience, offers her students a well rounded approach. Wendy continues to volunteer her energies to Hospice and Twin Lakes College Outreach Programs.
Cindy Rasmussen
Massage Therapist, Natural Health Educator
Instructor: Swedish I & II, and Facilitator of our Senior Massage Outreach Program
Cindy received her AA at Stephens College in Missouri then graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences. Cindy also brings to her classroom a worldly perspective from her 8 years of international travel.
After enrolling in the Cabrillo College Medical Assisting Program, Cindy was hired by Cabrillo as a tutor for Medical Terminology. It was here she discovered her love for teaching and the joy of facilitating learning for those new the medical field and its unique language. Next came a year in private medical practice as a Certified Medical Assistant, and 6 years at Dominican Hospital as a Certified Phlebotomist.
The experience of working in a hospital setting and observing the effects of health crisis and trauma on the individual created a desire to seek a more wholistic “hands on” approach to health care. Taking a class at Twin Lakes College was life changing for her and led to more than 1000 hours of classroom instruction and practical application of the Healing Arts.
Cindy now has a private practice at the Chien Center in Soquel. Cindy has declared herself a lifelong learner and plans to continue taking classes indefinitely, to expand her knowledge of the fascinating would of therapeutic bodywork.
Lynn Zephryna
Webmaster
Massage Therapist
Santa Cruz Web Design
Santa Cruz Massage Website
Lynn is a graduate of TLC and former instructor of Professional Studies I and Senior Massage. Lynn brings her knowledge of client–centeredness, healthy boundaries, and communication skills to her Santa Cruz Web Design business, Websites by d’Zign. Having founded a successful resort spa, as well as her private Massage Therapy business, she helps healing arts professionals start their web presence—with a gentle touch. Lynn’s Massage Santa Cruz website has helped massage professionals get an affordable online presence.
Twin Lakes College has benefited greatly from Lynn’s web design expertise.
More to Come
We are currently updating our site and appreciate your patience as we add faculty information over time. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding our instructors, we will be happy answer your questions over the phone. 831.476.2152. Thank you!
