Meet our SOLO Southeast Instructors

SOLO instructors are active, professional health care providers, who serve on mountain rescue squads, fire departments, ambulance squads and ski patrols. They are experienced, creative teachers who provide a relaxed, team-oriented and inspiring learning environment. With wide-ranging life experiences, many are outdoor experts in almost any wilderness setting. All instructors are trained by SOLO for the specific courses that they teach.

 

 

Jonathan Bryant

Jono visited from SOLO HQ to train our staff and liked it so much here in the Southeast that he decided to stay, he now manages Solo Southeast.  Jono is a Wilderness EMT-I, with over 10 years experience as an expedition leader and jungle specialist. As well as managing SOLO he is also the director of a medical relief charity teaching first aid and providing healthcare throughout the world. This year he returned once again to Borneo with a group of SOLO WFR students, a doctor, eye surgeon and dentist providing training and care to 920 villagers in remote jungle communities. Jono is committed to providing exciting, entertaining and medically accurate lessons that help students make a difference. 

 
           

Christian Conway

Christian Conway is our assistant program director. He has a strong background in medicine and has worked as an instructor for therapeutic wilderness programs in the Southeast. Christian has a bachelor's degree in biology and studied nursing at Western Carolina University. He completed SOLO's Southeast's Wilderness EMT program in October 2011. In his free time, Christian enjoys skiing, mountain biking and trail running. When not in the office or leading a course, he can usually be found hanging out with his two sons.

 

   

Anne Sontheimer

Anne began working for NOC in 1991 at Slow Joes restaurant where she rode her bike to work every morning and occasionally guided a raft on the Nantahala River. In 1994 she moved to the Chattooga River where she guided on Section IV for many seasons and eventually became a Head Guide. Anne developed her kayak skills on the Chattooga where her natural athleticism and tenacity allowed her to take her kayaking to new levels. When she moved to the main NOC campus in 2000, she was thrilled to be a full-time component of an exceptional Paddling School team. Her technical skills and winning personality have made her one of NOC’s most respected and requested Instructors. Serving as Head Instructor, Equipment manager and Adventure Travel leader, Anne is a cornerstone of our Paddling School. Anne is a wilderness EMT-I and currently working towards her paramedic qualification. When the opportunity came about to work with SOLO she helped develop and set up SOLOSoutheast, and is now a senior instructor. When she is not in her boat, Anne will most likely be with her son, Port, riding her mountain bike or out running with her dogs, Raine and Rowan.
            

Carlyn Kelly-Chasse

After attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Carlyn gained experience as an instructor for Outward Bound and discovered the joy of teaching in the great outdoors. She then moved on to develop her skills as an instructor and experiential educator with Broward College, Florida Atlantic University and Southwestern Community College. In addition to her role as a SOLO Instructor, Carlyn maintains SOLO Southeast’s website and takes most of the photos found on our social media sites. She also runs the Nantahala Kids Club, which supports children in developing their skills in recreational and competitive kayaking. Her interests include paddling, photography, writing and having adventures with her husband and their two children.

 
 

  

Bryan M. Griesemer

Bryan M. Griesemer is a  lifetime river runner and wilderness guide who now works full time as a Critical Care Paramedic in Asheville, NC.  A graduate of the University of Vermont, Bryan has worked for numerous wilderness adventure and education programs throughout the country.  Starting out as a SOLO student over a decade ago, he now teaches emergency medicine and swiftwater rescue throughout the state.  Bryan is a member of the Wilderness Medical Society, the American Canoe Association safety, education and instruction council, and serves on the steering committee for the Appalachian Center for Wilderness Medicine.
     

John Paul Bevilaqua

JP is a WEMT and senior instructor at SOLO Southeast. He has over a decade of experience as an instructor and guide in the outdoor field.  Having worked as a professional Ski Patroller in both Colorado and Utah, he has experience assessing and stabilizing a wide variety of injuries in challenging environmental conditions.  As a kayaker, he has paddled all over the country as well as internationally, and was a member of the 2008 US National Team.  JP also comes to Solo with a strong educational background in anatomy and physiology and feels that a better understanding of body systems can help students to more effectively manage wilderness emergencies.
 

Jason Drevanak


Jason or “Drev” as you’ll come to know him, is a lead instructor at NOC’s Survival school. His background is about as diverse as a person’s could be. He has been paddling for over 20 years, created and operated a sea kayak business and summer adventure kid’s camp for 5 years in Key West Florida. Drev spent 6 ½ years serving in the U.S. Army Special Operations Community as a team medic. He in a NCEMT Intermediate and AHA CPR & BLS Instructor and teaches with SOLO’s wilderness medicine school. He also designs and consults for Martin Custom Knives in Texas. Oh yeah, he teaches with NOC’s paddling school in his spare time. You think you can start a fire? Stop an arterial bleed from 10ft?  Wait until you take a class with Drev!
 

Stephan Hart

Stephan has worked and travelled throughout the World. A graduate of botany he has a impressive background in wild foods and medicinal plants. Stephan is an adjunct professor at Southwestern Community College and has been a senior raftguide/ trainer at NOC for over 14 years. Stephan is a Wilderness EMT with a significant amount of experience as an educator.
   

Hazel Brewin

Hazel Brewin is a native of Western North Carolina and has a solid outdoor recreation background; having worked as a raft guide on both the Chattooga and Nantahala Rivers, a ropes course instructor and photographer. She attended nursing school but has recently decided to change directions and pursue a PA certification. Hazel is an accomplished musician who loves running, skiing, whitewater canoeing and photography. If we can’t find her, we know she’s probably out somewhere on the trail with her awesome dog, Leroy!

 

 
     
   

 

Bryce Eichelberger

Bryce Eichelberger is a Nurse Practitioner currently practicing at Tallulah Health Center in nearby Robbinsville, NC. He was trained at Vanderbilt University. Previously Bryce was an RN-CC in the Emergency Department of Nashville General Hospital in Nashville, TN. He enjoys trail running, mountain biking, and playboating. His biggest current adventure involves chasing around his young sons Eli and Sam. Bryce is a guest instructor teaching specialized subjects during our Wilderness EMT class.