Lecturer Spotlight: Amy Marina Yeats

What's your role at D&A College, and what's the story behind how you ended up here?

I am a hairdressing lecturer within the hair and beauty department, and I specialise in bridal hair. Since school I knew I always wanted to work in a creative industry and decided to dance. However, I have been working in the hairdressing industry since my desire was sparked by being a model for a friend who was a hairdressing student.

As a hairdressing student, I used the skills I learned to explore my creativity further and was encouraged to enter many competitions. The more I entered and won the more I wanted to accomplish. This was me! I have been successful in winning 17 national awards throughout my time as a student. Moving on from student life, I worked in the industry in a salon and still to this day run a successful bridal hair business in my spare time, which I love!

I am now a lecturer, where I was taught and love that I can pass on my passion and skills, encouraging my own students. I recently helped host the AHT regional heat at our very own Kingsway campus in March, which was hugely successful, and I gained myself a place in the AHT competition Scottish organisation team.

So, work is one thing, but what's the scoop on your life outside these college walls? Any exciting projects or weekend adventures?

I am from Arbroath and live with my partner and 2 beautiful young children. I thoroughly enjoy spending my spare time with my family. I am also a part of the parent council, where we have regular meetings and help organise events/trips for all the children at the school.

Most weekends, I work styling bridal hair or helping style wigs for theatre productions and photoshoots all around the UK. I really enjoy this as it gives me the opportunity to travel all over, visit breathtaking venues, and work with different creatives and genres.

If you had to ditch your current expertise for something entirely different, what subject would you dive into, and what's the reasoning behind your switch up?

Looking back, I don’t think I really knew what path I was going to or wanted to take. However, when I think about it now, I often think teaching in a school setting would be interesting. I work well with children, with having my own and teaching on the Senior Phase courses. I can see that I have a good rapport with the students, and I am relatable. I really enjoy being a part of their journey and allowing them to explore a passion of mine, which, the majority of the time, becomes a passion of theirs.

If you could have any person, dead or alive, as a guest lecturer in your class, who would it be and why?

Chris Appleton is an amazing British hair stylist who I have followed on social media for a while now. His passion, hunger, and creativity inspire me. His hair journey started off like mine, and through hard work and determination, he reached for the stars. Chris now lives in LA and works for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.

Share with us the most valuable piece of advice you've picked up on your academic adventure, especially when it comes to navigating the ins and outs of your subject.

“Success does not rush - the greatest reward is the journey!”
This quote speaks for itself. You don't need to rush in life to pick a course or a career. It's the journey and memories of where you have been, where you are now, where you want to be, and where you are going to be that are the true accomplishments.

If Amy has inspired you, browse our Hair & Beauty courses here!

Look out for more lecturer spotlights coming soon!