Meet Our Team
Tonia Massare
Owner & Master Stylist
Tonia started her career 22 years ago at ShearEgo International School of hair design. She then got hired out of school to work at ShearEgo in Pittsford and completed a Protégé Training under Jonathan Webb.
During that time she traveled to Honolulu for a Paul Brown smoothing and straightening education. She then continued her career to Victor NY, where she continued her education and traveled to many cities for hair shows and classes including Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami, LA, and NYC. She has taken classes with Nick Arojo, Wayne Grund, and was sent to a private hands on class with Oscar and his wife Wendy Bond to learn avant-garde color and cutting techniques. While in Victor, she ran her own Protégé Program at the previous salon she worked at. It was at that time she realized she wanted more out of her career than to just work behind the chair. She loved being able to share her knowledge, and education with new stylists entering into the hair world, which is how The T salon was created.
“I wanted to be able to create an atmosphere where new stylists could learn under the same kind of mentorship I did when starting my career. Also to create a salon environment that believes in work/life balance. I feel that in order to have a happy team, we all need to not only be passionate about what we do in the salon, but be able to have time to do the things we all love outside of The T salon as well. Education is very important to me, as well as team building events, and supporting our local community.”
When Tonia isn’t busy running The T Salon, you will find her on her farm riding her two horses Cash and June and always enjoying her favorite local restaurants in the Rochester area.
She specializes in “all things hair” including but not limited to, highlift blondes, precision cutting, pixies and wedding/event styling.
Laura Compton
Salon Director
Laura was born and raised in Victor, NY. She grew up passionate about music and realized that it had the ability to transform your emotional well being for the better. It was only a matter of time before the beauty industry found her and gave her that same feeling. Laura says:
"There is something truly special that you gain from creating and building a one on one connection with someone who knows your needs and leaves you not only feeling better about your appearance, but who you are. I am in this industry because I love transformations."
Laura gained administrative experience managing multiple successful businesses that allowed her to train other leaders in sales and personal development from San Francisco, Boston, to all over Upstate NY. It was through these years of experiences that she realized how much she loves to teach and build team business development skills. In her downtime, she enjoys singing and still gigs around the rochester area. Most importantly she enjoys being with her husband, son, and furbaby 🙂 .
Melissa Greene
Master Stylist
Melissa graduated from ShearEgo 22 years ago. She barbered for a full year after receiving her license and decided to go back to school to become a color specialist. She then took her career down south to Florida for a year. While she was there, she mastered blowouts on curly hair. Shortly after she returned home to NY to work at Thrills, she became a master stylist studying extensions. Melissa wanted to try something on her own, taking full control. This lead her to renting a chair and mastering all blondes and balayage. She is a mother of two little ones, 5 and 2 years old and worked part-time to raise them.
"Now that they are getting more independent I wanted to do something for myself again and join a team at a salon. Saw my beauty school bestie had opened her own place. She's always so happy and positive I just felt like that was the place I wanted to go and do something for myself again. As a mom it can be easy to get lost and focus on them. So I am very happy to have joined this team, I feel at home already."
Amelia
Creative Stylist
Amelia has been passionate about hair since she was a little girl. It all started when she taught herself how to braid with her very first barbie! From then on, she fell in love with transforming, playing with colors, and being around people. As she grew, she continued to nourish that artistic spirit that led her to where she is today. Amelia completed the boces cosmetology program in high school and then graduated from Empire Beauty School. Amelia ha s graduated from our Protégé training program and is now our new Talent Stylist.
Amelia was a dancer for 13 years, loves dogs, and being in nature!
Monique
Master Stylist / Protégé Trainer
Monique is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the team and has taken over the role of our Protégé Trainer. Through her years experience she gives our new Talent Stylist the hands-on training and experience that they need to not only succeed, but excel in this industry.
Ellie Bills
New Talent Stylist
Ellie is currently assisting under Tonia and going through our Protege training program. She loves cats, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.
Alex Salter
Aesthetician
Alex is a graduate of Shear Ego International School of Hair Design where she acquired her Esthetics license. She will be located in Suite #2 in our sister company, Suite T. She specializes in waxing, skin care, microdermabrasion and more. She is passionate about continuing her education and sharing all of the latest trends and knowledge at every appointment.
When she's not in the salon, you can find her behind the bar at Ziggy's Good Times and Bitter Honey on Railroad St. in the city. She loves to go out to eat with friends and travel as much as possible.