Meet the Artists Behind Nova Arts Salon in DTLA

Salvador Salcedo, originally from Mexico, moved to the United States when he was 13 years old. It was in the US that he discovered his passion for barbering, starting with cutting hair in his garage and then honing his skills through Toni & Guy. Over the years, Sal has become a household name in the beauty industry, working at top salons like Sally Hershberger, Ramirez Tran, and Salon Benjamin, where he created iconic hairstyles for everyone from celebrities and artists to moms and grandmas.

With more than two decades of experience in the art of hair, Sal understands that hair is a medium through which he can understand people and help them express themselves. His high standards and commitment to excellence have made him a leading voice in the beauty industry, a true "Maestro" indeed.

Despite his success, Sal's true dream has always been to create a space where people can come to express themselves and unleash their inner artistry. This led him to establish his own salon, Nova Arts, which provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to explore and grow their sense of self.

As a traveling artist, Sal's #HAIRTOUR has taken him to different cities around the world, where he offers hair transformations to all types of clients. He loves seeking and sharing new experiences and is strongly committed to bringing the best education worldwide. Sal is a man on a mission to expand consciousness and pass on his knowledge to others.

Sal's drive to continuously learn and evolve fuels his mission to help others do the same. In his latest chapter, Sal has expanded his repertoire to include coaching and mentoring - Beyond Hair. Helping others to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Peter Felix grew up in South Los Angeles & San Gabriel Valley where he started cutting hair in his parents home at the age of 15. After completing Cerritos Community College, he started his career with Toni & Guy where he discovered his passion for teaching and developing others. Working behind the chair in Northeast LA, Peter is known for cutting and styling with natural hair texture to compliment the person's face and personality.

Lindsay found her passion for hair in Seattle, after visiting a creative salon for the first time in the 7th grade. She enrolled in the Gene Juarez Academy right out of high school and took her first job in Bellevue, Washington shortly thereafter. Her career has brought her to all four corners of the United States, working in Boston, Miami and now California.

Lindsay specializes in cutting, loves enhancing natural textures and creating shapes that last and evolve as they grow out. She believes that hair is one of the best accessories and loves haircuts that create confidence in oneself. Beauty truly comes from the inside out and that’s what she’s constantly aiming to extract. “We have the power to create change in our lives,” she says, “hair can be the starting point.”

When Lindsay’s not behind the chair she loves to be outside camping, hiking and exploring. She loves her plants, her fur children and her creative partner.

Rachel Lee is a California native and artist living her best life at Nova Arts Salon for the last three years. She believes that if you are open to the world it will show you new things and ideas.

Rachel enjoys doing hair and the way it allows her to translate the expressed desires of her clients into a physical transformation of their hair and what it can do. Together their vision comes alive, thus creating art.

From Assistant to Junior Artist, and now a graduated Senior Artist. Rachel has excelled in craft, and helped develop our Junior Artist Academy teaching the fresh talent that comes through our doors.

We are the art and the art lives in us. You may run into Rachel at one of the local vintage shops, but if not, she’s most likely chilling somewhere making music.

Amanda is a dry cutting specialist based at Nova Arts Salon in the heart of Arts District in DTLA. With 5 years behind the chair and as one of the original team members at the salon, she’s known for creating natural, low-maintenance haircuts with a polished edge. Her approach blends precision with ease, focusing on styles that feel lived-in yet elevated. Amanda is all about creating a comfortable, relatable experience — think chill vibes with expert-level results.

Juli Bezya came to Los Angeles by way of Ukraine. She draws inspiration from art, architecture, product design, and fashion.

She consciously reveals one’s essence and, in her work with hair design, draws the personality of the person to the form and design, from the inside to the outside. Juli works with highlights and colors in a way that she creates a custom look for each person individually.

Juli’s work showcases the precise techniques of the British School, and during the last years of her life in Kyiv, she taught at the SacoUkraine Academy. She has also worked with famous musicians and photographers.

Juli is happy to meet Nova Arts Salon at such an exciting time on her journey and is ready to create Art with her newfound team.

Sean Yang's journey into the world of hairstyling began at the age of 16, honing his craft in his parents' garage, primarily focusing on barbering. As he progressed through high school and college, his passion for hair evolved, prompting him to delve into its more creative and artistic aspects. This quest for a deeper understanding led Sean to enroll in cosmetology school, where he dedicated himself to mastering the artistry of hair.

Upon completing his formal education, Sean furthered his expertise by apprenticing under the guidance of Sal Salcedo for a transformative two-year period. Under Sal's mentorship, Sean cultivated a diverse skill set that has empowered him to craft dynamic and innovative hairstyles.

Now, equipped with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Sean channels his expertise to curate vibrant and cutting-edge styles. His dedication to his craft allows him to infuse fun and edgy elements into each creation, reflecting his passion for pushing the boundaries of hairstyling.

Anya Martin spent her early childhood in London before her family settled in Charleston, South Carolina, where she began working in salon operations at sixteen. Drawn to the energy and intimacy of salon life, Anya quickly thrived in salon environments, seeing the impact of both personal connection and visual change.

After completing her cosmetology education in 2022, Anya relocated to Los Angeles to expand her perspective and found her home at Nova Arts Salon. She soon began a rigorous two-year apprenticeship under Sal Salcedo, where she honed her technical skills and deepened her understanding of shape, movement, and thoughtful design.

Anya brings a calm, intuitive presence to each appointment, creating space for collaboration and self-expression. Anya is intrigued and inspired by people who embrace their uniqueness and push for continual self-discovery. She specializes in haircutting with a focus on wearable structure, natural texture, and collaborative transformation. Her goal is to help you represent yourself in a way that feels natural and distinct.

James is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist specializing in effortless, lived-in haircuts that reflect your natural texture and personal style. Originally from a small farm town in Ventura County, James moved to LA in 2017 to pursue a career in hair. He earned his cosmetology license from Paul Mitchell The School and got his start doing house calls across the San Fernando Valley and Ventura.

In 2021, he joined Nova Arts Salon and trained under renowned dry cutting expert Sal Salcedo. Through his work at Nova and on the road collaborating with top stylists from coast to coast. James has honed a signature approach rooted in shape, movement, and wearability.

He specializes in dry cutting, soft layers, grown-out shags, modern mullets, and personalized cuts that grow out beautifully. Whether you’re after a subtle refresh or a bold transformation, James brings a thoughtful, relaxed energy to every appointment with a deep understanding of how to create hair that looks and feels like you.

Seola’s journey in hair started in South Korea in 2008 where she majored in hairdressing. She continued her education in the United States where she assisted a famous Korean celebrity stylist in Los Angeles. The biggest shift in Seola’s career came when she met Cherin Choi. Seola learned the technique of beautiful natural looking highlights. That technique inspired Seola to specialize and focus on becoming a hair colorist. She has honed her own "Asian blonding” technique and specializes in ashy blonde hair color. Seola is a master in taking any hair platinum.

Step into Cindi's chair and experience a comprehensive transformation that will leave you feeling truly enhanced. With a colorfully rich background and a heart as soft as silk, Cindi embodies the essence of Los Angeles - gritty, beautiful, and passionate. She is an undeniable artist and a master of color, combining professionalism, wisdom, and a quirky sense of humor that puts people at ease. A true artist. A chemist. A therapist.

With over 10 years of professional experience honed under the tutelage of Aveda and Sassoon's elite mentors, Cindi is a precision expert. Regardless of hair texture or color, she can calculate and deliver your specific needs with meticulous care and excellence. She's also a problem solver, capable of guiding you towards a change that adds spunk and brings out your unique style. And if you're looking for a little bit of everything or something in between, let Cindi be the "hair-apist" you never knew you needed - a breath of fresh air.

For Cindi, hair and color go hand in hand. She thrives on turning possibilities into reality, pushing the boundaries of what's achievable. But it's the intangible moments that truly elevate the experience. The bonds formed, the joy shared, the stories listened to, and the laughter inspired - these are the cherry on top. From anxious beginnings to giggling departures, Cindi creates an extraordinary experience. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. With Cindi, you're in capable hands.

Kelley Tang is an experienced Color Artist at Nova Arts Salon. She began her career in Seattle, WA, in 2016, and two years later moved to Los Angeles. She has now been with Nova Arts Salon for six years.

Kelley believes that hair color and style are not one-size-fits-all. Loving and living in your hair comes from within. She values being part of her clients’ life moments and transitions, ensuring their hair color evolves alongside their ever-changing lives.

One of her specialties is coloring dark hair. She emphasizes that healthy hair is just as important as the final result. Lightening naturally dark hair takes skill and experience, and she believes that even subtle tonal differences can make a big impact. Kelley has a trained eye for choosing colors and placements that suit each person's skin tone, lifestyle, and overall aura.

In addition to hair color, Kelley also specializes in hair extensions. She offers both tape-in and keratin tip methods, working closely with clients to choose the option that best suits their hair texture and daily routine.

Outside of the salon, Kelley is a constantly evolving artist. Over the past two years, she has developed a deep interest in ikebana and floral design. Drawing on her background in color theory and design, she’s found working with flowers to be a natural extension of her creativity. She enjoys spending time at the flower market, being in nature, and staying active when she’s not behind the chair.

Schedule an appointment with Kelley to find the hair color that best suits you.

As a Los Angeles native, Beverly attended Fullerton College in 2017. Upon graduation, she landed a job at Elyse Walker Boutique Salon in New Port Beach where she honed in on her industry training.

Two years later Beverly made the jump and moved back to Los Angeles. In LA, working on sets behind and in front of the camera, Bev found herself meeting and working with area stylists and salons. One of these connections led her to make Nova Arts Salon the place she works her magic creating beautiful color on any texture hair. Beverly Famous is on a quest to live up to her name!

Vihan, a Los Angeles native, is a firm believer in the beauty of happy accidents. Growing up surrounded by experimentation and the scientific method, she discovered the key components for achieving a vibrant success. While in college, Vihan sensed a void and decided to follow her carefree and artistic approach to life without limits.

Taking a bold leap, she dropped out, guided by her unwavering love for people and the desire to make the world a brighter place. Shortly before the pandemic's conclusion, in March 2020, Vihan graduated from Paul Mitchell Pasadena, gaining a new perspective on her passion. Eager to nurture her talent to its fullest potential, she sought guidance from her mentor, Olivia Virden.

Under Virden's apprenticeship, Vihan's abilities and imagination for color specialization underwent a remarkable transformation. Starting with seamless and effortless lived-in blonding, a challenging skill to master, Vihan learned to create a diverse range of effects. Beyond ensuring you look and feel your best, Vihan offers an authentic and playful experience. She is enthusiastic about working her magic to let your inner beauty shine through to the exterior.

Naomi Knights began her career at the age of 15 in her hometown of Los Angeles, studying hair while still in school. Eager to expand her horizons beyond her 'small town' roots, she pursued her passion for hair abroad, continuing her education in London, Paris, and Italy. Over the past 25 years, Naomi has honed her craft through extensive training and hands-on experience, working in Canada and New York City before ultimately returning to Los Angeles.

Naomi’s work reflects her deep love for the intersection of music, art, and creativity, earning her the trust of clients such as P!NK, Feist, Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, Anna Konkle, Amber Valletta, Florence Pugh, and MNDR, among others.

With over two decades of expertise in extensions and creating livable, wearable color, Naomi specializes in Balayage and sustainable bleaching techniques. Using the full spectrum of the color wheel, regardless if it’s a “natural” color —from pink to brown to blonde—all color us natural to her eye. Her approach to extensions focuses on promoting healthy hair growth and achieving the best possible look and feel.

Naomi’s connection to Nova Arts emerged through shared clients and a shared vision for innovative hair artistry. When not behind the chair, she dedicates her time to teaching hair color to the next generation of stylists and, most importantly, enjoys quality time with her three children.

Michael Rincon is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist who travels to New York, bringing his signature effortless, lived-in style to clients on both coasts.

With four years of experience, he specializes in crafting effortlessly chic hair that looks and feels completely natural, as if it grew straight from your roots. Starting his career in Los Angeles, Michael trained under some of the city’s top colorists, refining his craft and eye for detail. Over the past two years, he’s worked between LA and NY, continually expanding his skills while building a loyal, bicoastal clientele. His passion for learning and staying ahead of industry trends keeps him at the cutting edge of hairstyling.

Now based in Los Angeles, Michael still makes time to travel to New York for clients. Outside of the salon, he’s likely to be found at the gym, roller skating, sewing, or exploring new places.

Chelsea Sinks teases art, style, color, and nuance into beauty that is wildly and uniquely you.

Hairstylist, colorist, makeup, and SFX artist and body painter; Chelsea specializes in bringing each client's vision into reality. 

Her hair work ranges from subtle color shifts and sun kissed balayage, to fashion colors and vivids, and avant garde looks. She isn’t just obsessed with hair color, she’s passionate about making hair look its best but feel its best too. Keeping the hair strong while forming strong and lasting relationships with her clients. 

Growing up in Oregon's lush Willamette valley, Chelsea embraced nature and the natural beauty around us. She earned her Cosmetology license at Aveda Institute Portland, and her Makeup and Special Effects diploma from Cinema makeup school in Los Angeles. 

Chelsea has been working behind the chair in Portland for the past ten years, and working on sets in Los Angeles doing Makeup and Special Effects for the past three. She has styled musicians for music videos, clients for photoshoots, and done hair color for movies. But what stands out most to her is the relationships she’s made along the way. 

Chelsea was drawn to Nova Arts Salon because of its embrace of artistry, and the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with amazing professionals, and because it weaves together their shared sustainable values. On her days not behind the chair or on set, you can find her body painting at festivals, making art, volunteering, hiking, camping and exploring the beauty of California.

Jessica embarked on her career journey at a premier and nationally acclaimed salon in Austin, Texas. During her time in Austin, she underwent an intensive in-house training program, frequently collaborated with the Aveda Global Artistic Team, and contributed to multiple North American Hairstyling Awards photoshoots. This experience ignited her passion for styling and fueled her aspiration to become an editorial artist, prompting her move to Los Angeles.

While editorial styling remains a soul-nourishing pursuit for Jessica, she also possesses a deep affection for the art of a flawless blowout. In the early stages of her career, Jessica specialized in cutting, demonstrating a knack for crafting highly individualized looks that seamlessly integrate with her clients' lifestyles. Her expertise spans from cutting short, textured shapes to creating clean, precise lines, allowing her inner perfectionist to flourish.

Beyond her cutting proficiency, Jessica excels in the intricate art of beautifully blended balayage and dimensional color work. Her approach to color is marked by the same attention to detail and precision that defines her haircutting skills. With a commitment to perfection, Jessica brings a unique blend of artistry and technical mastery to every aspect of her craft.

Weston is a Texas native, who moved to the west coast in 2011. Since arriving in LA, he has worked across Los Angeles in some of the cities best known salons, where he met Nova Arts owner, Sal Salcedo. In 2017, he wanted to dive deeper into interpersonal skills and completed a year long training course with the Health Coach Institute (HCI) as a Health & Life Coach and later completed the Mastery in Transformational Training (MITT) Basic and Advanced courses.

In 2019, after almost two years managing Nova Arts Salon, he set off to Southeast Asia with only a backpack to further explore meditation, yoga, and cultural diversity. He shares his love of wellness and creativity with the transformative aspects of the hair industry. Since returning to Los Angeles in 2020, he has found his way back to Nova Arts Salon to continue his journey of sharing the culture of well-being. When you transform yourself, you transform the world around you.