Our Team: Our Heart
Jade Shutes
Director of Education Instructor, Blog Author, Writer, Distiller
Jade Shutes holds a Diploma in Holistic Aromatherapy, Holistic Massage, Anatomy, and Physiology, and Reflexology from the Raworth College of Natural Medicine in Dorking, the UK, and a Diploma in Aromatherapy from the International Therapist Examining board (ITEC). Today she is the visionary and director of education for the School for Aromatic Studies.
An aromatherapy practitioner, researcher, and educator for over two decades, Jade opened her first aromatherapy school, The Institute for Dynamic Aromatherapy (IDA), in New England in 1991. She has also taught at Bastyr University, Duke University, Ashmead College, San Diego Hospice, and throughout North America. Recognized as one of the vanguards of professionals who helped introduce aromatherapy to the US, she has since played an active role in the setting of standards for aromatherapy education in North America.
Jade is the past president of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. She served two highly successful and rewarding terms as NAHA President (2000-2003 and 2013-2015). She is the author of “Aromatherapy for Bodyworkers”, one of the most widely used textbooks for massage therapists learning about aromatherapy.
Ildiko Berecz
Instructor, Blog Writer, Aromatic Studies: Greece
Ildiko Berecz is a modern-day alchemist, bringing her business leadership background dissolved into her roots with nature, creativity and education. Her initiation into holistic disciplines started in 2003, gaining diplomas in complementary practices from Traditional Ushui Reiki, Metaphysical Studies, Tibetan Sound Therapy to Kinesiology, Aromatic Kinesiology, Hawaiian Bodywork, and Aromatic Studies.
Aromatherapy as a life-quality improvement method has been part of Ildiko’s personal life journey from her early 20’s, becoming a major transformative contributor in her own natural healing from endometriosis. She studied at several institutions in Hungary and throughout the world, complementing her life-long learning and research with continued training and conferences such as Botanica. Ildiko nurtures a special connection with her highly respected teachers Gergely Hollódi from Aroma Botanica, and Jade Shutes of Aromatic Studies and honored to have been in a mutually inspiring fellowship collaborative spirit throughout the years.
As a holistic intuitive, and a creative catalyst Ildiko has been bringing life-changing experiences through her highly-inspiring and transformative aromatic practices, coaching, writing and photography since her move to Crete island in 2013. She offers workshops, field trips, and travels when needed.
Ildiko has been a contributing writer of Aromatika Magazine in Hungary since 2015. She got invited to serve as a member of the Association of Hungarian Aromatherapists from 2016, as well as to speak at the DROPS Aromatherapy Conference in Budapest in 2019.
“I am ultimately connected to nature which is both a source of inspiration and a life-style worth living. While mostly spending my time on Crete, I bring along holistic life-changing experiences through highly-inspiring and transformative aromatic journeys. Essential Reflections is a personal blog and an umbrella label I use for writing, photography and botanical creations.
Plants, harvesting, distilling, herbal formulations & aromatherapy blending are all integral part of my daily life and teachings, just as therapy work, holistic coaching and consultations to empower others. My mission is to promote a deeper understanding of sustainable practices with transparency and authenticity in one’s personal life and work ethos.”
Lindsey Feldpausch
Blog Writer / Instructor
Lindsey Feldpausch RH (AHG), is a clinical herbalist helping connect plants with the humans who need them. She believes in our innate ability to utilize the healing powers of plants, and one of her life’s intentions is to kindle this belief in others. An experienced educator, she aims to balance both science and the magic of the natural world within her teachings.
Heidi Nielsen
Her deep love of nature, the four elements, plant medicine, crystal healing, ancient teachings from past civilizations as well as Hindu Mythology,Yogic Philosophy and Andean Medicine are great teachers for her. She is fueled by a passion to live in a world free from oppression and patriarchal attitudes that have for centuries held all beings back from their highest healed state. Amaru shares her voice in a number of ways as a Mother, Feminist and Medicine person. She holds space with an open heart and is Reiki attuned, herbal infused, and trauma informed. She is honored to be a keeper of medicine songs, facilitator of ceremony and weaver of healing circles.
To learn more about Heidi, visit: fromnaturetonurture.com
Nicholas Zemp
Course Contributor
Growing up close to nature in Southeastern Idaho, Nick has always loved the outdoors and been fascinated by the Earth’s natural abundance and innate intelligence. At the age of 15 he (precociously) threw off modern medicines and began to voraciously devour any book regarding herbal medicine and natural therapies he could find. After moving to Oregon at the age of 18 and volunteering on a medicinal herb farm, he devoted himself to an herbal healing path. In 2007, he received a Traditional Western Herbalist Certificate from the Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism, and in 2010 received an Advanced Chinese Herbalist Certificate from the Institute of Chinese Herbology. Nick continues to educate himself and others in the wonders of botanical medicine and Gaian consciousness.
Radha Schwaller
Blog Contributor / Teacher
Radha has incorporated holistic health into her and her families’ lives for almost two decades. Her Holistic Health journey began in 2001 during a herbal medicine apprenticeship in the deciduous forests of the Midwest.
In 2001, she also became certified in Reiki levels one and two. It was within this training that she awakened her love for the subtle and powerful energy medicine. In 2007 she completed 800 hours in massage therapy training. Her Ayurvedic training began at Kayakumari School of Ayurveda where she studied Ayurveda foundations, herbal medicine making, nutrition, Ayurvedic Body therapies, Panchakarma and received her Certificate in Ayurvedic Education in 2008. Radha received her Wise Earth Ayurveda Practitioner certificate in 2012. She has studied aromatherapy for over 15 years and is working toward her certification as an Aromatherapist with East West School of Aromatic Studies. She has trained with DONA and Sacred Doula to assist mothers during labor and childbirth. In 2018 she completed Core Synchronism level 1 and level 2 in 2019.
She is also honored to be have studied nutrition, pulse, herbs, spices and marma therapy with the late Ayurvedic Doctor, Vaidya Mishra, of the Shankya Vansya Ayurveda lineage and also with Maya Tiwari of Wise Earth Ayurveda®.
Magdalena Tomczak
Blog Contributor
Sometimes we find work and sometimes work finds us. Magdalena’s journey with holistic beauty developed organically and with ease. Her connection to nature, and love of health, harmony and simplicity began with the long summers spent at her grandpa’s farm in her native Poland. She’s always felt the most at home with a simple, clean and gentle way of life. These qualities and values deeply infuse Magdalena’s work and her approach to skin care, self care and beauty, be it in the treatment room, while she is formulating or in her consultations. She created Woman Divine Skin Care out of the desire to offer a very different type of skin care from that which was available at a time. She followed her heart and developed treatments, formulated products and introduced The Practice of Mindful Beauty to her community. Magdalena has been in practice for over 25 years now. She is committed to deliver the best quality treatments and plant-based products to women not as a luxury or a once in a while treat but as an everyday sustainable way of life.
To learn more about Magdalena and her work, visit: Woman Divine.
Michelle Ensley
Instructor, Case Study Reviewer
Michelle’s love for plants began when she was a young child; Seeing a pansy and knowing it was so much more than a flower, always collecting rocks at the beach, and the woods have always been a magical place of refuge for her. Michelle worked beside her mother in the flower beds and helped her parents in the vegetable garden and went on to study Horticulture in high school and college.
Michelle attended massage school at Brenneke school of massage, became an energy worker, studied aromatherapy, flower essences, gem essences, and herbal medicine. She opened her massage practice in 2002 and began her aromatherapy studies with Jade Shutes and the IDA (now Aromatic Studies). She has been teaching the Aromatic Studies curriculum since 2005 and became involved in Hospice work in 2003 with MultiCare Home Health and Hospice, working as a comfort therapist providing massage, reiki, and doing clinical aromatherapy consultations. She continued her studies in spiritual phytoessencing with Dr. Berkowsky, natural perfumery with Ayala Moriel, became a reiki master and teacher, studied
cranial sacral therapy and integrative energy therapy.
In 2006 Michelle was introduced to the amazing world of flower essences and gem essences. She studied and is an international instructor for the Australian bush flower essence company founded by Ian White. In 2014 she enrolled in the chestnut school of herbal medicine founded by Juliet Blankespoor.
“I have been so blessed to have been taught by so many amazing teachers. My life has been enriched by my students and patients. I am so grateful!”
Michelle’s work can be found at lilygracebotanicals.com
Gergely Hollodi
Instructor, Blog Writer, Aromatic Studies: Hungary
Gergely holds a BA in English teaching and after a 12-year long period spent in the advertising-marketing world decided to change his life and started his journey in the field of healing. Gergely is a graduate of the Cortiva Institute: Seattle School of Massage and is a nationally certified (NCBTMB) and Washington state-licensed massage therapist. He completed the Masters Apprenticeship program with the School for Aromatic Studies in Seattle. He is a professional member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists.
He currently lives in Budapest, Hungary where he practices massage as a certified therapeutic massage therapist and offers aromatherapy courses to the public. He is the lead instructor in Hungary for the School for Aromatic Studies. He continues his study of alternative medicine/herbal medicine and is a certified physiotherapist.
“I have a passion for massage and aromatherapy. I am committed to helping my clients with massage for stress reduction, treatment of and rehab from common injuries, relaxation, and discomfort associated with everyday activities. My massage and aromatherapy practice is grounded in the union of East-West healing traditions. I approach healing with healthy curiosity and invite my clients do the same.”
Larken Bunce
Online Instructor
Camellia Lee
Blog Contributor
Camellia Lee, Licensed Massage Therapist, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, Reiki I and II Certified Usui Practitioner, Certified Aromatherapist (NAHA Level 1), Certified Aromatherapy Teacher, Founder of Root and Resin.
Camellia’s introduction to medicinal plants and therapeutic healing touch began at a young age, under the influence of her maternal grandmother. Her childhood experience would later inform her professional schooling in the healing arts following her Bachelor’s Degree in the Arts and Sciences. In 2003, Camellia completed her massage therapy training from the esteemed Swedish Institute, College of Massage Therapy and Allied Health Sciences in New York City. For more than fifteen years, she has had the privilege to bring her intuitive skills, business acumen, deep presence and space holding for clients to a variety of holistic integrative medical establishments, reputable spas, and a successful private practice. In 2018, Camellia co-founded a wellness collective center known as Soulbeing Wellness in the heart of Manhattan, New York City.
The art of aromatherapy has always been a part of Camellia’s professional milieu and completed an Aromatherapy Foundations Certificate Training with Floracopeia with David Crow and Jade Shutes. This body of knowledge ignited her desire to share the wisdom of aromatherapy with others and she completed the School for Aromatic Studies’, Aromatherapy Teacher Training Program Certification Program. In June 2018, Camellia embarked on a distillation retreat with the School in Sedona, Arizona and was profoundly changed by her direct wild harvesting and distillation experience. The deep connection to plants and their inherent medicine fortified her desire to create her company and own botanical product line, Root and Resin– aromatic ritual blends for wellbeing. Camellia also dedicates Root and Resin to the passing of her beloved grandmother and to her maternal lineage of Chinese medicine women who continue to flow through her heart, mind, and spirit.
You can find her small batch, handcrafted botanical products at Root and Resin www.rootandresin.com
Sherilyn Siegmund-Roach
Blog Contributor / Instructor
Her continuing herbal and aromatherapy studies focus on aromatherapy for pregnancy, children, hospice and palliative care, and animal aromatherapy. She consults, writes, and teaches for both online herbal and aromatherapy schools. Her passion for botanical remedies in all forms supports her on-going efforts to integrate herbal and aromatherapy wisdom to support her family’s and clients’ wellness.
Prior to becoming an aromatherapist, Sherilyn taught math and science in public schools in both rural and urban Alaska for 24 years. She currently resides in Tennessee with her husband, dog, and cat. She is actively involved with her children and grandchildren, who all live in different states.
Jonathan Benavides
Blog Contributor / Instructor
Before becoming a clinical aromatherapist Jonathan studied psychology and specialised in autism and communication disorders where, working at the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Child Psychology (Leiden University, The Netherlands) in vertical groups with an emphasis on short diagnosis and treatment of autistic children and children with developmental problems between 5-18 years of age, he got first in touch with aromatherapy while developing multisensorial therapies for autistic children.
He has participated in several seminars, conferences and congresses in aromatherapy, complementary therapies, psychology and music therapy and Jonathan has always been involved in training, research and developing different therapeutic approaches for complimentary and Integrative care.
Course Contributors
Juliet Blankespoor
Course Contributor
Juliet is an unabashed botanical entrepreneur –her earliest project during her collegiate years included a get-rich-quick-scheme involving papaya trees. After graduating from University of Florida with a degree in botany, Juliet founded and formulated a tincture line, Green Faith Herbals. She spent her twenties growing and wildcrafting medicine for her tincture business.
Camille Charlier
Course Contributor / Blog Writer / Researcher
Certified Aromatic Studies Teachers
Michelle Ensley
Cert. Aromatherapist, Flower Essence practitioner and educator.
Michelle’s love for plants started as a young girl, helping in the flower and vegetable gardens with her mother and father. She studied horticulture in high school and college. She now utilizes plants in the form of essential oils and flower essences with clients and patients.
Michelle is a graduate of the Brenneke School of Massage and a graduate of The School for Aromatic Studies. She has studied various types of bodywork and energy work and has continued her education in Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine to enhance not only her practice but also self care.
Michelle is the owner of Soulscents & Bodywork in Enumclaw, WA. She works as a comfort therapist for Multicare Home Health and Hospice utilizing Aromatherapy, Massage and Reiki.
She has been teaching for the School for Aromatic studies for a decade. She also teaches Australian Bush Flower Essences course for the ABFE co in Australian and Reiki Classes. Teaching and sharing her experiences with health and healing is her passion.
Margo Hertzfeld, Cert. AT.
Margo received a B.S. in Merchandising from Indiana University in Bloomington, and later went on to create Rosy Glow Beauty Company, a line of all-natural personal care products for moms. When she realized the most fulfilling part of this business was researching essential oils for the line, Rosy Glow Aromatherapy was born!
Margo’s aromatherapy education began in 2011 with a Level I certification from Jade Shutes, B.A., Dipl. AT, Cert. Herbalist, Director of Education for the School for Aromatic Studies and David Crow, founder of Floracopeia, with an emphasis on the priciples of Ayurveda. She went on to receive her Clinical certification with the School for Aromatic Studies. She went on to become an instructor for the school, focusing on teaching the live Level I Foundations course.
Margo has expanded her natural therapy education with a certification in Reflexology from the Guardian School of Massage and Reflexology in Sterling Heights, MI, as well as Level I certification in flower essence therapy from The Bach Centre’s education center in the U.S. Other coursework completed includes natural perfuming, meditation, yoga, mother and baby care, natural oncology therapies, hydrosol applications and botanical skin care.
Margo is a professional member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, as well as the Regional Director for Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, and a member of the Natural Perfumers Guild.
Holly Brandenberger
Holly Brandenberger is a Registered Nurse and Certified Aromatherapist living near Seattle, Washington on her family farm with her husband and three small children. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2006 from Marquette University and has worked in a variety of nursing specialties including trauma,burns, post-surgical, endoscopy and hospital administration. She has always been fascinated with how stress can impact the body and the mind. She discovered aromatherapy in 2015 and loved how aromatherapy can strengthen the mind-body connection and initiate a relaxation response. She became certified through the School for Aromatic Studies in 2020 and has been expanding her education ever since through specialized courses in utilizing aromatics for stress, trauma, and emotional wellbeing.
She is the founder of Science of Essentials, an online resource that provides education worldwide regarding aromatherapy and holistic health. She currently is working with hospital systems bringing aromatherapy to the bedside to help support patients. Her sincerest desire is to bless others with the knowledge she has gained through combining her education in modern medicine and holistic health.
To connect with and learn more about Holly, please visit: Science of Essentials.
Kathy Klug
Kathy has been practicing Holistic Aromatherapy for over 30 years. She became a Certified Aromatherapist, Level 1 and 2, many years ago through the School of Aromatic Studies at Cheryls Herbs in Maplewood, Mo. and was taught and mentored by the late Cheryl Hoard. She then went on to receive her Registration in Aromatherapy.
As a retired nurse of 36 years, she has used her medical knowledge and training along with her knowledgeof Essential Oils and Herbs to create a successful practice in Aromatherapy and Holistic Health. She is a Reiki Master Practitioner, owns her own home based business, supplies several locations with products she has designed and created and is invited to deliver presentations for various groups and organizations, regarding the use of Essential Oils in different situations and conditions. Kathy also writes a quarterly article for Spirit Seeker Magazine, a local St Louis publication and has been featured on their local radio show.
She has been a member in good standing with NAHA, AIA and AHNA for several years. Kathy was born, raised and continues to reside close to St Louis, Mo where she has been teaching at Cheryls Herbs since Cheryls passing in 2015 along with various other facilities in Missouri and Illinois.