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.

 		    

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.
 


   

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. 

   

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.
 

    

Bryan M. Grieseme

Bryan M. Griesemer is a  lifetime river runner and wilderness guide who now works full time as a Paramedic in Boone, 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.