Peggy M. Huff, CMT
President and Executive
Director
Peggy created and started our school in 1998. She continues to nurture her vision today after many years of refining and perfecting our program and is exceedingly proud of the COMTA Accreditation status that was granted us in 2007.
Peggy has retired her hands from a successful massage therapy practice of many years and began a massage therapy clinic in 1994. It has since evolved into a popular Massage Therapy Center where students practitioners and professionals alike enjoy offering their services to the public.
Nina Anmahian Lantis, LMBT
Education Center Director
Nina is our wonderful Director. Her incredibly grounding energy and her great sense of humor will put you at ease while you are attending massage school here at the Center for Massage. She manages and maintains all aspects of our Massage Therapy Certification Program and Continuing Education Program. From your initial interview to graduation, Nina will be an integral part of your life here at CFMNH.
Nina has a diverse background, from owning her own massage therapy business to working with doctors and educators. She is a graduate and was a teacher at the COMTA Accredited Potomac Massage Training Institute in Washington, DC and has attended multiple undergraduate courses in business administration and social sciences.
Ariana DeToro-Forlenza
Education Center Administrator
Ariana will be your primary administrative and support contact during the program, keeping your educational experience running smoothly. She will co-conduct your Orientation and continually update you on program developments and your individual progress.
She also manages and maintains our LIFELONG Graduate Services, from job placement to helpful guidance on your journey in the healing arts.
Ariana has a B.A. in Religious Studies, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies, and graduated with honors. She has a strong background in education administration and instruction in Outward Bound, the Center for Inspired Education and Eagle’s Nest Foundation, as well as a strong background in the healing arts and sciences.
Rebecca Balkcom, LMT
Admissions Specialist
Rebecca will be here for you from start to finish. She will assist you with the entire application process, from conducting your personal interview to making sure you get in the class of your choice. She will help you secure a student loan if you need one and assisting you with your student housing needs.
She will gladly provide an abundance useful information that will answer all of your logistical questions about relocation to the Asheville area.
Rebecca is a graduate of our Massage Therapy Certification Program and has had successful practices in various spas round the country.
Karen Nordmeyer, NCTMB, LMBT
Therapy Center Administrator
Karen supervises and coordinates our student clinic and
professional Massage Therapy Center.
Karen's interest for the healing arts began during her study of cultural and medical anthropology at Rutgers University. After earning her BA she went onto gain some experience in the healthcare field by working at Blowing Rock Hospital assisting the medical staff in their patient care.
The opportunity to attend massage school arose and Karen earned her license in 2000. She has worked in our Therapy Center as a professional therapist for two years as well as at a local spa. She has volunteered at a Women's Shelter and has been inspired by the profoundly healing effects of therapeutic massage.
Karen has also been nurturing her ability to teach by attending an M.A.T. program at Western Carolina University and continues to be excited to use her developing skills with her students at the clinic.
Karen's favorite aspect of her job is observing first-hand the enthusiasm of the students and the amazing growth that happens with each class as they go through the clinical portion of our Massage Therapy Certification Program.
Caroline Whatley , NCTMB, LMBT
Therapy Center Supervisor
Caroline skillfully oversees your student clinic experience on days
when Karen is offsite, guiding you through your day, answering your
questions about client cases, and providing mini-workshops on massage
techniques. She is a graduate of our Massage Therapy Certification
Program, works as a professional therapist in our Therapy Center, and
has a successful private practice. Due to her obvious passion for massage
therapy, Caroline has been an important part of our staff since the
day she graduated, acting as both Admissions Specialist and Teaching
Assistant before moving into her current position.
Terri Etter
Education Center Receptionist
Terri has been with CFMNH for several years, and currently serves as our Information Specialist and Receptionist at our school. Her delightful and friendly nature will likely be the first one you come in contact with at our school, and will surely be the first person to greet you when you walk through our doors. Terri is always happy to answer questions you have about our school, and help you register for any of our workshops.
George Chambers, NCBMT, LMBT
Education Center Receptionist
George is a wonderful member of our staff, and a joy to work with. His endearing sense of humor and passion for massage therapy will be evident as soon as you have the opportunity to talk with him.
George is a graduate of our massage school and after graduating in 2007, he is already enjoying the successes of his own massage therapy practice in Asheville.
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FACULTY AND STAFF
The Center for Massage & Natural Health is proud of the quality of its faculty and staff. They
bring to their teaching the highest standards and ethics in this rapidly
evolving profession.
Eager to share their knowledge, wisdom and enthusiasm,
the faculty and staff of the Massage Therapy Certification Program welcome
students to this bright and meaningful career.
Eileen Gertz, NCTMB,
LMBT
Swedish and Sports Massage and Hydrotherapy Instructor |
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In practice since 1977, Eileen has taken
massage therapy into the broadest range of environments: New Mexico,
Colorado, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean (on a sailboat!).
She
is a graduate of the New Mexico School of Therapeutic Massage and
studied advanced sports massage at the Sports Massage Training Institute.
She also has many certificates, including Neuromuscular Therapy,
Myofascial Massage, Trager, and Touch for Health. |
Pamala Martin Jurek,
NCTMB, LMBT
Swedish Massage, Spa Treatments, Aromatherapy, and Reflexology Instructor |
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Pamala, now in successful private
practice, has been a massage therapist at the Grove Park Inn Resort
and Spa.
She is a graduate of both the Emerald Coast Massage School
in Florida and the Laura Norman Reflexology School in New York,
and she has completed various advanced bodywork-training programs,
including medical massage, Reiki, and Shiatsu.
Pamala’s love
and respect for bodywork inspires her to teach others. |
Grace Scarborough, NCTMB, LMBT
Swedish and Sports Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Somatic Psychology, Professional Ethics and Hydrotherapy Instructor |
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Grace received her Master’s
of Science in Experimental Social Psychology from the University
of Kentucky in 1995 and attended massage school at the Central
Florida School of Massage Therapy in Winter Park, Florida in 1998.
She has taught a variety of courses in massage and acupuncture
schools, as well as community colleges. Grace’s gentle, compassionate,
and knowledgeable approach to teaching is both genuinely uplifting
and inspiring.
She has studied many modalities and focuses her
private practice on Thai-Yoga massage and energy work. |
Anna Kate Cascio, ND
General Anatomy/Physiology and Pathology and Diet & Nutrition Instructor |
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Anna Kate Cascio, originally from Virginia, graduated from Kenyon College in Ohio with a Bachelors Degree in History although a strong interest in health and wellness led her later to the study of massage therapy. She graduated from the Cayce Reilly School of Massotherapy in Virginia Beach in 1999. After being awarded her national certification and working as a massage therapist for four years, she decided to further her studies in medicine at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, Arizona where she graduated in 2006. SCNM offers a four-year professional medical degree in Naturopathic Medicine.
Graduates are educated in the same basic sciences as MDs, courses in addition include natural therapeutics such as herbs, nutrients, vitamins and homeopathy as well as other nontoxic approaches to therapy with an emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. The curriculum at SCNM requires the completion of two years of clinical shifts at the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center. |
William Ehrsam, NCTMB,
LMBT
General Anatomy/Physiology, Pathology and Musculoskeletal Anatomy Instructor |
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Will has wonderful experience as a science teacher in the massage school setting. His passion for the sciences and wonderful and dynamic energy shine through from moment you meet him. You will understand the human body, inside and out, by the time you are finished with his exciting classes.
William received his Massage Therapy Certification from Erwin Technical College in Tampa, FL, and has an Associates Degree from Hillsborough Community College where he studied biology and the sciences. His passion for massage therapy and the sciences are clearly reflected in the classroom. |
Linda Pannullo, NCTMB, LMBT
Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Pathology Instructor |
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Linda Pannullo attended the Florida School of Massage 20 years ago. A seasoned instructor, she has taught massage techniques for the non-professional at community colleges, and sports, hydrotherapy, Reflexology and Swedish at massage schools.
Working with Jon Zahourek's Maniken System (building muscles with clay) gave her creative ways to share anatomy knowledge.
Linda currently teaches the musculoskeletal classes at the Center and maintains private and on-site massage practices in Asheville. |
Steve L. McLaughlin,
LMBT
Neuromuscular Therapy, Chair Massage and Energy Work Instructor |
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Steve has a wide range of experience in massage practice and instruction.
He will show you various approaches to energy work as well as the
benefits and techniques of chair massage.
Steve graduated from the
Somerset School of Massage Therapy, is a Reiki Master, and has continued
to study advanced massage and energy techniques. He now enjoys a successful
private practice, providing both table and chair work. |
Al Bailey, LMBT
Integrative Massage Instructor
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Al’s
bodywork background is extensive, including modalities such as Myofascial
Release, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Russian, Sports, Reiki,
Trager, Swedish, and Touch for Health.
He continually reminds us that
healing can only occur in the moment, provided the therapist is able
to maintain awareness of breath with the client. Al’s presence
has graced many therapeutic and educational settings since 1990. |
Donna Billings, MA, CMT
Somatic Psychology Instructor |
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Donna
received her Masters in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, is a graduate
of our Massage Therapy Certification Program, and continues to study
mind-body healing (including Hakomi Therapy) and communication skills.
She has been both a self-employed and school-based psychologist since
1980. Donna will guide you through the psychological aspects of massage
therapy. |
Kevin Scarborough, MS, Lic. Ac.
Oriental Medical Theory Instructor |
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Kevin Scarbrough is a licensed acupuncturist in North Carolina and has been practicing in Asheville since 2004. He is a certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He received a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Kevin specializes in the treatment of pain, sports medicine, pediatrics and education on healthy living practices. He uses acupuncture, Chinese herbs and other practices from Traditional Chinese Medicine to restore and maintain health and vitality of body and mind. |
Jim Sandonato, NCTMB,
LMBT
Shiatsu Instructor |
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Jim Sandonato will introduce you to
the ancient art form of Shiatsu. From his spirited and enthusiastic
teaching style, you will be surprised to know that he began his
study of massage and bodywork in the 70’s. Overlapping a
career in engineering, he studied shiatsu at The Gautama Institute
for Shiatsu Education. In 1987, he was certified in Zen Shiatsu
at the Meridian Shiatsu Institute.
He then began his private practice,
which continues today. He has also worked at the Grove Park Inn
Resort & Spa from 2001 to 2004 as a Massage Therapist and Mentor/Trainer,
teaching shiatsu to the spa therapists. He is a Certified Practitioner
in The American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia, (AOBTA),
and Nidan level in Aikido.
Jim currently maintains a
private practice at the Wellness Center in Weaverville, NC. |
Melisa Austin, NCTMB, LMBT
Pregnancy, Infant & Geriatric Massage Instructor |
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You will know from the moment Melisa enters the classroom and begins to speak why she is such an asset and advocate for special populations who benefit tremendously from healing touch: mothers, infants, and elders. Her warm, nurturing, supportive approach is well complemented by her diverse and extensive education and experience base.
In addition to being a loving mother of three, Melisa received her Midwifery Certificate from the Matrona School of Midwifery in Asheville and her Massage Therapy Certification from the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics in Albuquerque. In addition, she has taken numerous advanced workshops on bodywork techniques for various populations, which have continued to broaden and diversify her bodywork practice since 1995.
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Ingrid Miller, NCTMB, LMBT
Herbology Instructor |
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After studying herbalism in Santa Fe, NM, Ingrid attended the Rocky
Mountain Center for Botanical Studies in Boulder, CO, focusing her
studies on medical herbalism and ethnobotany.
She is a graduate of
Wake Forest University and our Massage Therapy Certification Program.
Ingrid will introduce you to the many applications of herbs for health
and healing. |
Tavis Cummings, NCTMB,
LMBT
Teaching Assistant |
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Tavis is a successful graduate of our massage school. He works at our Therapy Center in downtown Asheville, and is a wonderful and helpful presence in our classrooms. His delightful and enthusiastic energy is sure to inspire! |
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