Two familiar faces in the world of cosmetology and aesthetics have opened their own local beauty school and are ready for enrollees. Barbara Kirchgessner and Kathy Secrist have began Academy of Shear Performance, located at 77 South Henderson Street – the former Protexall building. Since the closure of Carl Sandburg College’s Cosmetology Program, prospective students have had to travel to the Quad Cities, Peoria, Macomb or Canton to receive their schooling and licenses. Kirchgessner has been a salon owner for 34 years and was a coordinator of the cosmetology program for Carl Sandburg College for 17 years. Secrist has been a salon owner and CSC instructor for 15 years – and for the past 8 years has owned and operated The Buzz & Company in Galesburg. The two have completed renovated the building with rows of salon chairs, sinks, a classroom, a facial room – offering students real-life industry experience. The school initially will have an enrollment of 25 students – and already has instructors and substitutes lined up to teach the 1500 hour program and is designed to help students pass the state board exam. . In addition to beauty school standards like, haircutting, styling, coloring, facials, and manicures/pedicures, students will also learn basic business skills to accelerate their career. Kirchgessner said while instructing at CSC, the two had a 12-year streak of 100% completion rates, and most students were placed within 60 days of graduation. A 250 hour refresher course for those who need to renew their license will also be available. Classes are expected to begin early June and the two are planning on touring area schools looking for those interested in the field. Potential students can enroll at The Academy of Shear Performance, or reach out to Secrist and Kirchgessner at 344-2887 or email academyofshearperformance@gmail.com
You can visit the school’s website here. BUT KEEP IN MIND THE PHONE NUMBER ON THE WEBSITE IS INCORRECT.
The correct number to call is 344-2887.
