
Games | You be the Judge: Courtroom Decisions Unpacked w/ Melinda R.
Join Melinda and friends for an engaging and interactive session where you’ll step into the role of a judge! Together, we’ll read through real court cases, discuss the facts, and explore the verdicts. Share your thoughts and see if you would rule the same way!
Melinda is a dedicated Case Manager with years of experience working with older adults and a current MSW student and intern. Melinda is passionate about creating safe spaces where individuals can openly share their thoughts and opinions, fostering meaningful discussions and empowering older adults to connect and engage with one another.

History | American History & Literature w/ Alan G.
Alan leads classes combining history with literature and has thought-provoking conversations about both! Alan was a lawyer and an investment banker. In 2010 he obtained a Masters degree in Literature/History. He then also became an Author.

History | Women Leaders: : Chita Rivera, Broadway Icon w/ Maegan W.
Maegan enjoys leading classes on Women Leaders and researching women from all walks of life from the past to the present. Join her to learn about these dynamic women!
Maegan is an editor and French translator by profession. Both of these positions allow her to work with writers, artists, nonprofits, and businesses worldwide. Her work combines two passions: helping people build relationships through communication and learning new things.
Maegan moved to NYC in 2011 for the Publishing and Digital Media program at NYU. She was excited to discover an online community center for older adults--something she had longed to see in her home city of Montreal while working for HelpAge Canada. She has been leading VSC classes ever since and cherishes the bond she shares with the participants over women leaders throughout history and their influence on our lives today. She loves to spend time in nature and has two small dogs, Cindy and Tucker (who sometimes pop in on classes!)

Wellness | Positive Mindset: Cultivating Well-Being in Everyday Life: Finding Joy Through Passion w/ Callie L.
This class will focus on what makes us feel alive and brings us joy. We'll explore how passion connects to positive psychology and how it can boost well-being no matter our age.
Learn about practical & proven tools to cultivate well-being and improve happiness in your everyday life. From tips on creating habits to build positive emotions to developing resilience skills to deal with stress and challenges that arise in everyday life, this class will help you find ways to have a more positive mindset.
Callie received her certificate in Positive Psychology in 2017. During the pandemic, she began hosting online workshops and presentations for individuals and small groups. She is a NYC native, a graduate of CUNY, and a media professional. She’s also a lifelong learner interested in growth & transformation and passionate about helping others find ways to positively improve their everyday lives.

Culture | China Through My Eyes: Chinese Traditional Clothing w/ Lauren H.
In this final session, we’ll delve into traditional Chinese clothing, how the dynasties affected clothing styles, and how ethnic clothing varied by region. We’ll discuss the history and trends of traditional clothing and their continued presence and significance in Chinese culture today.
Lauren is a candidate for a Master of Social Work degree at Columbia University. I invite you to join me at VSC as we explore the rich history and culture of China through a personal lens. This series, China Through My Eyes, is an opportunity to share various aspects of my heritage with you. Together, we’ll uncover the stories of the past that have shaped China into what it is today.

Nature | Fun with Pets: Meet our Furry Friends!
Join Cheryl, Ron, and volunteers as they showcase their furry friends. Enjoy their antics, cuteness, and tricks. They're waiting for you to have a great time! CJ will be hosting calls with her special little dog, Lucy! They are a therapy dog team that loves serving others virtually and in person.
Lucy is an AKC Distinguished Therapy Dog and a trickster! She also has the AKC Performer Elite title (highest level). They are excited to host these virtual pet therapy calls with VSC and look forward to having fun visits with you! Ron will be hosting or co-hosting with his dogs, Snow & Rosie - a sure good time!

Games | Chess Intro: Learn How to Play! w/ Benjamin B.
Discover the art of chess with Benjamin and fellow students as your guides! Each class begins with a brief introduction, after which you'll move into separate 'breakout rooms,' where individual students will lead you through the intricacies of chess piece movements. Not only is chess a delightful pastime, but it also nurtures memory, logic, and fosters social connections. So, get ready for some fun!
Benjamin and his friends are passionate about chess, often competing in tournaments. Benjamin, in particular, is the driving force behind 'Chess in the Homes,' an intergenerational chess program. He and most of his fellow chess enthusiasts who facilitate VSC classes attend Stuyvesant High School.

Arts | It's Time to Play, why's it Built That Way? w/ Samantha M.
Join Sam and Natalie as they explore the reasons behind the architecture you see today!
Natalie and Sam are both juniors at Stony Brook University, where they participate in the Women in Science and Engineering Honors Program. They’re very excited to share their interests in food, weather, and architecture!

Social | Sharing Stories: Dog or cat? What can you hear in your room right now? w/ Ross B.
Every person has a fantastic life story that needs to be told. In this series of classes, we look at the memories of our lives. We explore the questions, both big and small. All of our lives are so different, and we celebrate how different we each are.
Our classes usually have a shorter, more straightforward question and a more involved question afterward. All of us share our stories. There are lots of smiles and laughter.
Ross lives in Sydney, Australia, and he enjoys hearing about the differences in our lives in the US. He has been happily working with Seniors for many years. Ross works part-time in a nursing home, trying to help people live happier, better lives, and looks forward to the VSC weekly sessions very much.

Arts | Mostly Music Entertainment Hour w/ Charles D.
Join Charles for a lot of musical potpourri and a little of “other”! The musical content will include some basic teaching of how to play a piano, singing as a group, viewing music videos to include songs and teaching about music. Then, if time, Charles takes class requests and will devote some time to discussing or finding interesting things on the internet. Enjoy the Entertainment hour!
Charles has always been a music lover and his earliest memories of loving music are hearing his beloved Mom humming, singing and listening to a transistor radio, challenging as it was to tune in to a radio station. Today he wants to bring joy to you by helping you to build a simple toolbox for playing the piano (a super user friendly and approachable instrument), that will enable them to play a lot of song as well as just enjoy the pleasures of singing and listening to Music!

Games | What's my Job? w/ Dave K.
This game will be based on the TV show "What's My Line?". Everyone will get a chance to ask questions to the person whose job they are trying to guess. The person with the "job" can only answer "yes" or "no" to the questions.
The person asking the question will get to keep asking as long as they get "yes" answers to their questions. They will stop when they get a "No" answer and the next person will ask questions. The group will get up to 10 "no" answers to guess their profession to win the game. This is a chance to give your inquisitive minds a real workout!
Dave was formerly a Radiation Therapy Physicist. He loves a variety of gambling games including Poker & Blackjack, as it incorporates memory, psychology, and logic into an interactive group where everyone is an equal and he's happy to share that with the enliveo group!

Arts | Fun with Improvisation! w/ Kathy K.
Improvisation, or Improv, is spontaneous, entertaining, and fun! The first 8 people entering the class who wish to be an actor that day will be doing 2-person scenes for about 5 minutes. It’s a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters, and dialogue of a scene or story are made up in the moment.
You will be doing 2-person scenes for about 5 minutes. Kathy will give each pair of “actors” a situation. The actors will each be given a character to pretend to play. After the scene is acted out, the rest of the class will guess what characters they are portraying. There will be several scenes played out as time allows. Example of a situation for doing an improv scene: You are preparing for your first ride in a hot air balloon.
Kathy Knox discovered improv when she took an improv class in 2016. Since then she has enjoyed teaching and performing improv at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman University in Greenville, SC.

History | Collections of The New York Historical: The Galleries & its artifacts w/ Kionah T.
Join for a live view of The New York Historical Society's galleries and a highlight of treasured historical artifacts. Kionah Tucker is an experienced museum professional with a passion for making history education accessible and fun.
She currently serves as the Education Coordinator at the New-York Historical Society, where she manages the museum’s internship program for college and graduate students and supports programming related to the museum’s many initiatives for students and teachers.
Originally from Newport News, Virginia, she relocated to attend St. John’s University in 2011 and has called New York City home since. Other than her love for history, she is a lover of fashion, travel, animals, game shows, and great food.

Wellness | Wellness & Self-Care: From Stress to Serenity: Finding Inner Peace w/ Daniela P.
Stress doesn’t disappear with age, but we can learn to manage it in healthy ways. In this session, we’ll explore relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and tools to help us find peace even in difficult times.
Join Daniela in this series of classes, which will focus on different wellness topics. Daniela attends Capella University and is currently a Social Work Intern. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crocheting, and looking for new ways to stay active.

Wellness | Wellness practices for Happier Living: Staying Connected: Building Meaningful Relationships w/ Abby G.
Staying socially connected is key to overall well-being at any stage of life. This interactive class will explore the importance of meaningful relationships and offer practical ways to strengthen social connections. Participants will discuss the benefits of staying engaged, share experiences, and learn strategies for fostering friendships both online and in daily life. Join Abby in a welcoming virtual space to connect, learn, and build a supportive community together.
Abby is an MSW candidate attending the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. She is interning at Selfhelp, working in the VSC/enliveo department. She looks forward to discussing wellness and hearing about what strategies you have to keep life meaningful and healthy.

Life Skills | Real Time decluttering! w/ Felice C.
Are you surrounded by clutter? Either a little or a lot? Do you wish you could use your dining room table to eat off of and not be a catch-all for stuff? Then come to this class...and bring your clutter!
Felice will motivate you (who are we kidding, the push!) to start saying "Buh-bye!" to your clutter during class. She will also offer great tips for doing it on your own if you want.
Felice is an award-winning author, motivational speaker, and professional organizer with extensive experience helping people get rid of stuff and live the lives they want.

Wellness | Intro to Self-Massage: Moving your body fluids/energy w/ Deborah B.
This class will include a variety of methods, including lymph drainage, blood circulation, Ayurveda, and tapping. Deborah Brandt, Doctor of Physical Therapy and retired dancer, developed it for seniors' movement education and wellbeing.
During each class, participants will lubricate joints and muscles through their full range of motion, stimulate balance, and practice mindful movement.
Whatever your strength or ability, enjoy this opportunity to explore the elements of functional movement while you energize and surprise your mind and body in a fun, creative environment!

Arts | Musical Deep Dive: Hair: American Love-Rock Musical w/ Maddie G.
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical. The work reflects the creators' observations of the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution of the late 1960s, and several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement. The work broke new ground in musical theatre by defining the genre of "rock musical", using a racially integrated cast, and inviting the audience onstage for a "Be-In" finale.
Maddie Gwinner is a junior at the University of Arkansas, majoring in Political Science and International Relations. Outside of the VSC, she’s on the Arkansas Alpha Delta Pi’s executive board and Vice President of her university’s Mock Trial program. Maddie has been performing in musicals for as long as she’s been able to walk, and she’s excited to share her passion for classic Broadway shows!

Arts | History behind the Music: Songs about Man's best friend (Dogs!) w/ Rob L.
To celebrate International Guide Dog Day, Rob will play a selection of songs that feature man's best friend. Rob will launch a series of sessions with some of his favorite songs from yesterday and today across a range of genres. Enjoy the music and the stories behind the songs.
Rob Lutes is an acclaimed songwriter and performer, a multiple Maple Blues Award and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, and recipient of the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Singer of the Year. He has released eight albums, including 2021's Come Around, which hit #5 on Folk Radio in the US in August 2021. https://roblutes.com/

Exercise | Building Vitality thru Exercise: Pull Resistance w/ David W.
Join David for a class focusing on increasing strength and improving overall vitality for various health-related issues such as Arthritis, balance, etc. They include a mixture of movements based on yoga, pilates, and PT exercises. Do as many or as few exercises as you can, as he explains how the exercises help you with your daily movement.
David is a NASM certified personal trainer and holds a certification in Senior Fitness. He also specializes in Parkinson Wellness Recovery programs from PWR4LIFE. His business focuses on Mature Adults, leads individual and group training of all ages, as well as works with people with various conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. David also teaches in the Arts & Science department for the past 16 years as part time Faculty for Columbia College in Chicago, IL.

Travel | Travel Tips for Older Adults: Bahrain, Kuwait & Oman w/ Allen K.
Join Alan to continue the trip to the Middle East. The next stops will be Bahrain, a tiny island in the Persian Gulf, along with the two very rich oil-producing countries of Oman and Kuwait. These countries have a very rich history and play a key role in the Middle East.
A former high school math teacher, Allen enjoys leading virtual classes on various topics.

History | Travel Through History: History Of Florida/Growth of Miami w/ John R.
Ponce de Leon named the mythical fountain of Youth – La Florida-“land of flowers” due to its lush vegetation. Learn about the builders of Florida, including Henry Morrison Flagler(the railway to Key West), Henry Plant (the Plant system of railroads), and Walt Disney. Port of Miami has transformed Miami into one of the busiest cruise ship hubs in the world.
Join John for an educational/informational series of lectures designed to spark interest and enthusiasm in students to learn about the rich and fascinating history of traveling to diverse locations. It’s an adventure through early European and North/South American history that tells the stories of the people, places, and events that shape the world's institutions.
Born in Jersey City, NJ, John enlisted in the Army, served as a construction engineer, and graduated from CUNY with an Economics degree.

Technology | Travel resources using technology w/ Johanna K.
Explore travel tech resources, including top websites for booking hotels, flights, accommodations, transportation, and tours. This guide also covers tips for using AI to streamline your planning process and tools to create itineraries to make your travel planning secure and efficient. Join Johanna of Smarter Service for Tech tips, including using your device, surfing the internet, using Email, and many more relevant tips to keep up with today's technology trends.
Johanna has over a decade of experience in the tech industry and is passionate about helping older adults navigate and build confidence with technology. Originally from Texas—a place she still fondly calls home—Johanna now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband of over 12 years and their three beautiful children. When she's not spending time with her family, Johanna enjoys baking and decorating cakes!

History | True Crime Tales: Cold Cases & Murder Mysteries w/ Sarah I. & Nicole L.
Sarah is an engineering student at Stony Brook University in New York. Her goal is to one day work for NASA or SpaceX as an aerospace engineer, building rockets, rovers, and satellites.
When she's not in school, she enjoys baking, sewing, and exploring new genres of music. She enjoys expressing her creativity through these activities.
Nicole Li is a student at Stony Brook University majoring in Information Systems. She enjoys a wide range of things, from origami and fashion to criminology! She enjoys sharing her knowledge with everyone!

History | Women Leaders: Lorraine Hansberry: A Playwright Who Changed History w/ Maegan W.
Maegan enjoys leading classes on Women Leaders and researching women from the past to the present day in all walks of life. Join her to learn about these dynamic women!
Maegan is an editor and French translator by profession, allowing her to work with writers, artists, nonprofits, and businesses worldwide. Her work combines two passions: helping people build relationships through communication and learning new things. Maegan moved to NYC in 2011 for the Publishing and Digital Media program at NYU. She was excited to discover an online community center for older adults--something she had longed to see in her home city of Montreal while working for HelpAge Canada.
She has been leading VSC classes ever since, and cherishes the bond she shares with the participants over women leaders throughout history and their influence on our lives today. She loves to spend time in nature and has two small dogs, Cindy and Tucker (who sometimes pop in on classes!)

Exercise | "Mostly" Gentle Chair Yoga w/ Cristina M.
This is an excellent class for students with mobility issues. All welcome – We will focus on physical movement, flexibility, balance, and breath work. This gentle form of yoga is practiced in a chair. Some standing poses will be practiced.
Cristina is a SoCal native seeking to expand her yoga practice among several specialized groups, including senior communities.

Games | Dealer's Choice Poker (not for Beginners) w/ Dave K.
Join your friends and play some Dealer's Choice poker. When it is your turn to deal, you get to choose between Texas Hold'em and stud poker with wild card variations. The first 6 players who sign in will play at the table and have a chance to be the big winner for the night! This is not a class on how to play; you should already be familiar with the rules for stud and Texas Hold'em.
If you are uncomfortable playing but just want to watch and learn how the game is played, you are more than welcome to join the session and pick up some pointers! The hand rankings for poker are posted under the "Materials" tab if you wish to print that out.
Dave was formerly a Radiation Therapy Physicist. He loves poker, as it incorporates memory, psychology, and logic into an interactive group where everyone is equal, and he's happy to share that with the VSC group!

Wellness | Being Well w/ Barrie R.
Learn about various health issues, including their symptoms, prevention, and suggestions for healthier living, with gerontologist Dr. Raik.
Dr. Raik spent 40 years practicing and teaching geriatric medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and its associated medical schools. She has just retired from clinical work but continues teaching medical students.

Arts | Paper Crafts: Pebble Beach Scene! w/ Tyler F.
Join Tyler to learn how to use paper to create a pebble beach scene. Materials: Construction paper or card stock in brown, blue, white, tan, and black, scissors, double or single-sided tape, black and brown marker.
Join Tyler in either watching or working along with her to create lovely crafts using simple materials. Join Tyler in watching or working with her to create lovely crafts using simple materials.
Tyler works in marketing by day; however, she loves working with paper and other media to create practical crafts in her spare time. She enjoys researching and finding simple projects for everyone to share and express their own creativity.

Social | Life Stories to Share: Biggest news story I remember/What I don't like about myself w/ Ross B.
What’s the biggest news story that you remember? Is there something about yourself you don’t like?
Every person has a fantastic life story that needs to be told. In this series of classes, we look at the memories of our lives. We explore the questions, both big and small. All of our lives are so different, and we celebrate how different we each are. Our classes usually have a shorter, more straightforward question and a more involved question afterward. All of us share our stories. There are lots of smiles and laughter.
Ross lives in Sydney, Australia, and enjoys hearing how our lives differ. He has been working with Seniors for some time now. Ross continues working part-time in a nursing home, trying to help people live happier, better lives, and very much looks forward to the VSC weekly sessions.

Arts | Mostly Music Entertainment Hour w/ Charles D.
Join Charles for a lot of musical potpourri and a little of “other”! The musical content will include some basic teaching of how to play a piano, singing as a group, viewing music videos to include songs and teaching about music. Then, if time, Charles takes class requests and will devote some time to discussing or finding interesting things on the internet. Enjoy the Entertainment hour!
Charles has always been a music lover and his earliest memories of loving music are hearing his beloved Mom humming, singing and listening to a transistor radio, challenging as it was to tune in to a radio station. Today he wants to bring joy to you by helping you to build a simple toolbox for playing the piano (a super user friendly and approachable instrument), that will enable them to play a lot of song as well as just enjoy the pleasures of singing and listening to Music!

Games | What's my Job? w/ Dave K.
This game will be based on the TV show "What's My Line?". Everyone will get a chance to ask questions to the person whose job they are trying to guess. The person with the "job" can only answer "yes" or "no" to the questions.
The person asking the question will get to keep asking as long as they get "yes" answers to their questions. They will stop when they get a "No" answer and the next person will ask questions. The group will get up to 10 "no" answers to guess their profession to win the game. This is a chance to give your inquisitive minds a real workout!
Dave was formerly a Radiation Therapy Physicist. He loves a variety of gambling games including Poker & Blackjack, as it incorporates memory, psychology, and logic into an interactive group where everyone is an equal and he's happy to share that with the enliveo group!

Arts | Fun w/ Improvisation! w/ Kathy K.
Improvisation, or Improv, is spontaneous, entertaining, and fun! The first 8 people entering the class who wish to be an actor that day will be doing 2-person scenes for about 5 minutes. It’s a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a scene or story are made up in the moment. You will be doing 2-person scenes for about 5 minutes. Kathy will give each pair of “actors” a situation. The actors will each be given a character to pretend to play. After the scene is acted the rest of the class will guess what characters they were portraying. There will be several scenes played out as time allows.
Example of a situation for doing an improv scene: You are preparing for your first ride in a hot air balloon.
Kathy Knox discovered improv when she took an improv class in 2016. Since then she has enjoyed teaching and performing improv at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman University in Greenville, SC.

Nature | Bird Drama 3: stories from the world of birds w/ Hannah K.
Join Hannah for more unique bird behaviors and interactions between different bird species. This week we will discuss ducks, owls, pigeons, and blackbirds. In addition to hearing stories of these fascinating bird behaviors, we will talk about what each of these birds looks like and where they live.
Hannah is a California native who now travels the world, guiding people on outdoor trips. She loves looking at and learning about birds, being outside, and sharing stories with others.

Exercise | Building Vitality thru Exercise: Push Resistance w/ David W.
Join David for a class focusing on increasing strength and improving overall vitality for various health-related issues such as Arthritis, balance, etc. They include a mixture of movements based on yoga, pilates, and PT exercises. Do as many or as few exercises as you can, as he explains how the exercises help you with your daily movement.
David is a NASM certified personal trainer and holds a certification in Senior Fitness. He also specializes in Parkinson Wellness Recovery programs from PWR4LIFE. His business focuses on Mature Adults, leads individual and group training of all ages, as well as works with people with various conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. David also teaches in the Arts & Science department for the past 16 years as part time Faculty for Columbia College in Chicago, IL.

Arts | Juilliard: w/ Avila Quintet
Join the Juilliard School group: Avila Quintet(Teresa, Sophia, Dylan & Thomas)! Their program consists of classical, some 50s - 60s popular music, and traditional Venezuelan music performed in a piano quintet setting (2 violins, viola, double bass, piano). Throughout the event, they will take questions, break down the music, and hold a dialogue among ourselves and you, talking about the music and its relationship to us.

History | History: Earth Day Echoes: Social Activism in the 1970s w/ Steve M.
This class will delve into the social movements of environmentalism, gay rights, and women’s rights in the 1970s, and their effects even today.
Steve has been teaching American History with VSC since 2018. He has had varied careers as a lawyer, Peace Corps Volunteer, and educator. He taught high school social studies in New York City and retired in 2023 from working in administration with the NYC Department of Education, working with high schools in the Bronx. Steve is married with two grown sons, two dogs, and three cats!

Arts | What Makes Music scary? From Video games to classic horror films w/ Justin W.
Ever wondered why some music feels scarier than others? Join Justin as he delves into the musical elements that create fear, from eerie video game soundtracks to classic horror examples. Discover how dissonance, rhythms, instrumentation, and more combine to make music truly terrifying.
Justin Wong is a Pace University undergraduate student studying behavioral neuroscience and biochemistry. Aspiring to be an anesthesiologist, he currently works as a medical assistant. In his free time, Justin enjoys playing video games and learning languages.

Exercise | Awareness Through Movement®: The Feldenkrais Method® w/ Stacia G.
The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education is a powerful and revolutionary approach to improving one's life. It uses gentle, mindful movement to bring new awareness and possibility into every aspect of one's life. Developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the Feldenkrais Method has helped millions of people worldwide.
Stacia Gallagher is a skilled teacher of movement with 35+ years of teaching in the movement industry; after a series of car accidents and work-related injuries, she turned her attention to mindful movement practices to help herself cope with the lasting effects of the injuries and to address her physical discomfort to age gracefully with less pain.
She is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, providing Awareness Through Movement classes and Functional Integration® lessons in her private practice in Baltimore County, Maryland. She also maintains a private Pilates practice, training clients of all levels on all equipment.

History | American First Ladies w/ Denise L.
Throughout American history, Presidential spouses and relatives have served as a White House hostess, public servant, and unofficial presidential adviser. But, the accomplishments of many of these First Ladies have often gone unrecognized.
Denise worked in various libraries as a librarian for 35+ years, retiring in 2018. After retiring, she wanted to get more involved with her community, so she now volunteers at her local Senior Center, school lunch program, and various other organizations, including the VSC! Denise spends time with family, reading, crocheting, and cooking when she's not volunteering.

Culture | "Shaadi" South Asia Weddings: Elaborate Pre, day of, and Post Wedding culture w/ Maha H.
Join Maisha and Maha as they dive into the vibrant world of desi weddings (South Asian wedding: very elaborate with pre-wedding, wedding day & post-wedding events), sharing the traditions, rituals, fashion, and food that make Pakistani and Bangladeshi weddings unforgettable.
Maha is a chemistry student at Stony Brook University who is passionate about both the sciences and the arts. She is enthusiastic about culture, art, fashion, and travel. Having spent much of her childhood in Pakistan, Maha is excited to share her love for Pakistani culture and history, offering a glimpse into its rich heritage and traditions.
Maisha is a junior at Stony Brook University studying biology. She is currently the Manager of Operations of her university chapter's The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society club.

Wellness | Reclaim your Rest w/ Nila H.
Join Nila for a three-part series about the impact of sleep habits on the older adult population and relevant sleep strategies for getting a good night’s rest! Restful sleep is a requirement, not a reward, and it doesn't need to be earned.
Nila is an occupational therapy doctoral student from Houston, Texas. She enjoys listening to music and has a passion for health and wellness! She is looking forward to sharing knowledge with you on how to get a good night’s sleep!

Nature | Climates of the World: Exploring Earth’s Environments w/ Samantha M.
Description- Join Sam and Natalie as they discuss the various climates and environments on our lovely planet Earth!
Natalie and Sam are both juniors at Stony Brook University, where they participate in the Women in Science and Engineering Honors Program. They’re very excited to share their interests in food, weather, and architecture!

Culture | A walk through Fashion History w/ Nicole L.
Join Nicole as she presents a fun look at how fashion has changed over the years, from the elegant styles of the past to today’s trends. We’ll explore different eras and share memories of the clothes we’ve worn throughout our lives.
Nicole Li is a student at Stony Brook University majoring in Information Systems. She enjoys all kinds of things from origami and fashion to criminology! She enjoys sharing her knowledge with everyone!

Technology | Technology with NYPL: Calendar Apps: Schedule events/send invites w/ Brandon S.
Understanding how to work with files and folders is integral to using your computer. This class will teach you about file structure, copying and deleting files, portable storage, and cloud storage.
Brandon Lincoln Snyder is a composer based out of New York City. The Ensemble Aventure has performed his music and Faint Noise at institutions including IRCAM, impuls, MATA, The Jack Straw Cultural Center, and Downbeat Magazine. He has presented research on machine learning-based composition techniques at the IRCAM Forum and TENOR conference and taught music informatics at the Karlsruhe State Conservatory of Music.

History | American History & Literature w/ Alan G.
Alan leads classes combining history with literature and has thought-provoking conversations about both! Alan was a lawyer and an investment banker. In 2010 he obtained a Masters degree in Literature/History. He then also became an Author.

Technology | Tech Overview: Email Management Made Easy w/ Johanna K.
Tired of sifting through piles of unwanted emails? In this friendly, easy-to-follow session, you'll learn how to create filters to organize your inbox, unsubscribe from or block unwanted emails for good, and how to manage emails across popular platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo. Join Johanna of Smarter Service for Tech tips, including using your device, surfing the internet, using Email, and many more relevant tips to keep up with today's technology trends.
Johanna has over a decade of experience in the tech industry and is passionate about helping older adults navigate and build confidence with technology. Originally from Texas—a place she still fondly calls home—Johanna now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband of over 12 years and their three beautiful children. When she's not spending time with her family, Johanna enjoys baking and decorating cakes!

Exercise | Building Vitality thru Exercise: Power Moves w/ David W.
Join David for a class focusing on increasing strength and improving overall vitality for various health-related issues such as Arthritis, balance, etc. They include a mixture of movements based on yoga, pilates, and PT exercises. Do as many or as few exercises as you can, as he explains how the exercises help you with your daily movement.
David is a NASM certified personal trainer and holds a certification in Senior Fitness. He also specializes in Parkinson Wellness Recovery programs from PWR4LIFE. His business focuses on Mature Adults, leads individual and group training of all ages, as well as works with people with various conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. David also teaches in the Arts & Science department for the past 16 years as part time Faculty for Columbia College in Chicago, IL.

Exercise | Seated, Guided Stretching & Conditioning Exercises w/ Terri P.
This class will focus on gentle stretching and conditioning from head to toe while remaining seated. Terri Pereira is a physical therapist with over 30 years of experience and has a holistic approach to exercise.
She owned her own business for 18 years and retired in 2025. Terri enjoys interacting with people and is excited to host these classes as it helps to fulfill her desire to help others.

Food | Foods of the World: Where foods are from/common misconceptions w/ Samantha M. & Natalie S.
Join Sam and Natalie as they talk about all things food and where they’re from, similar foods in different parts of the world and common misconceptions surrounding your favorite foods!
Sam is a junior from Stony Brook University, studying Atmospheric Science and Political Science. She enjoys learning more about the environment, and is thrilled to be able to share her passion for it!
Natalie is a junior studying Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University. She’s interested in Artificial Intelligence and passionate about food.

Arts | Exploring Music in all its variations w/ Jim S.
Explore different genres of music - much related to Broadway but also Operas, etc. View clips and discuss the background of the plots and the performers, and learn about what you love.
Jim is a retired Professor of private vocal studies and singing diction teacher at Wagner College on Staten Island, NY, and retired lecture class. Professor of the courses Introduction to Music, Music in the Movies, and Music Theater History at St. John’s University in NYC. Jim is also a retired professional opera, music theater, and concert singer nationally.

Exercise | Building Vitality thru Exercise: Virtual circuit w/ David W.
Join David for a class that focuses on increasing strength and improving overall vitality for various health-related issues, such as Arthritis and balance. The class includes a mixture of movements based on yoga, pilates, and PT exercises. Do as much or as little of the exercises as you can as he explains how the exercises help you in your daily movement.
David is a NASM certified personal trainer and holds a certification in Senior Fitness. He also specializes in Parkinson Wellness Recovery programs from PWR4LIFE. His business focuses on Mature Adults, leads individual and group training of all ages, as well as works with people with various conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. David also teaches in the Arts & Science department for the past 16 years as part time Faculty for Columbia College in Chicago, IL.

Arts | Enjoying and Exploring Art w/ Barry R.
Join Barry to look at and discuss paintings, sculpture, and decorative art in and around New York, the museums, and other places in which they are found. Our goal is to learn a bit more about art and enjoy it a lot.
Barry is a retired attorney, who has since March 2020 taught the VSC's “Exploring and Enjoying Art” class. He had been a volunteer at ArtWorks NYC, giving virtual art classes to NYC 4th graders and conducting tours at the Metropolitan Museum.

News | The Murderous Minds Behind Infamous Crimes: Criminals in the 70s & 80s w/ Sarah I.
Join us as we explore the childhoods, crimes, and psyches of some of the most notorious criminals of the 70s and 80s. Through a deep dive into their backgrounds and motivations, we’ll unravel the complex psychology behind their chilling actions.
Sarah is an engineering student at Stony Brook University in New York. Her goal is to one day work for NASA or SpaceX as an aerospace engineer, building rockets, rovers, and satellites. When she's not in school, she enjoys baking, sewing, and exploring new genres of music. These activities allow her to express her creativity.

Life Skills | Creative Self-Care: Holding Space for Connection w/ Eugenia P.
Let’s explore what “holding space” means and how we can use it to connect meaningfully with ourselves and others. Holding space is a psychological term used in creating a safe, compassionate environment where someone can express themselves without judgement, allowing them to feel heard, seen, and understood.
Jenny Pigassiou is a NYC-based performance and video artist and entrepreneur. Life-long learner and creator, including personal development workshops, painting, light sculpture, and improvisational theater, among others.

Wellness | Your Health w/ Rachel S.
Rachel is an honors sophomore student at Pace University majoring in Health Science. She aspires to become a heart surgeon in the future. Her hobbies include reading and exploring different cafes.

Arts | Rock, Blues, Folk & Jazz Music w/ Ken K.
Join Ken for a wide range of music from the standards of the American Songbook through folk, country, and R&B of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Ken Knowlton brings his easy-going and accessible style to a wide range of music from the standards of the American Songbook thru folk, country, and R&B of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
He loves to take requests and encourages audience participation, making no two performances the same. His peers at MOC call him the "Human Jukebox”… please join a class and stump him!

Games| Broadway Trivia & Chat w/ Andrew W.
Enjoy fun facts and trivia regarding Broadway and the performing arts. You'll be able to play along and learn more about Broadway, Broadway shows, and performing arts in general through fun questions, conversation, and All that Jazz! Andrew has been involved with the performing arts since he was 6.
Born and raised in New Orleans, he left for college at The University of Notre Dame. In college, he continued his passion for the performing arts while acting, directing, choreographing, and producing numerous shows. He worked with multiple Tony award winners in New York, teaching NYC youth theater in New Orleans. He was cast in multiple films and TV shows, including Treme and Memphis Beat. He spent some years in real estate development, but then returned to his passion. He received a certification in performing arts from NYU/Tisch. Since teaching, Andrew has done 3 different films and had his most recent red carpet for the film Chances, which was released in August of 2023.

Travel | Spring Break in Santa Fe: Canyon Road, Georgia O'Keeffe, etc. w/ Tara R.
Join us for a trip to Paris, the "City of Light!" We'll visit famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, see world-renowned art at the Louvre Museum, and check out the culinary scene. Take a journey through the French capital before it hosts the upcoming Olympics!
Tara works at a marketing agency in Chicago. She has taught classes on technology and travel for VSC since 2021. When she’s not exploring a new city or enjoying the outdoors, she likes curling up with a good book. Before moving to Chicago, she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and Spanish.

Arts | Soft Rock, Cover classics, Beatles & more w/ Randi-Alan S.
Alan and Randi perform covers of classic standards like Stand By Me, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, songs by the Beatles, and other soft rock songs.
Alan and Randi are a married couple who met in 1978 in high school in Philadelphia, PA. They’ve been making music together pretty much ever since. Alan started playing guitar when he was 12 years old, and Randi has been singing in choirs and performing in shows since middle school.

History | How the World Shapes our Lives w/ Alice G.
This class discusses the impact of current events and cultural trends on our daily lives. Discussions of current topics include what's going on in schools, the internet and our privacy in fashion, scientific breakthroughs in Israel, and how what's going on in China affects us. News items are interspersed with travelogues from trips taken around the world.
Formerly a corporate attorney building and financing major pipelines, storage terminals, and power plants, and negotiating derivatives documentation, Alice now takes history classes through Northwestern University and Florence Melton, exercises with tai chi, play mah jongg and indulges in an addictive travel habit. She has visited and photographed places on all seven continents (yes, including Antarctica).
Alice also avidly follows the Chicago sports teams and thoroughbred horse racing. In August 2021, she and her husband renewed their vows for their 51st wedding anniversary.

Spirituality | Passover Holiday Traditions w/ Norman R.
Soon, people of the Jewish faith will be celebrating Passover. Norman will review the most popular holiday traditions, such as the Seder and Passover foods, and will provide samplings from many Haggadahs which he has used in the past. You are invited to share your traditions, as everyone celebrates Passover differently.
Norman Reiss has long been an advocate for older adults, starting with when he helped older relatives deal with issues involving residence changes and addressing health issues.
Since 2019, Norman has helped clients at DOROT, GetSetUp, and Greenwich House, creating and promoting programs, both in person and online. He is also a veteran Virtual Senior Center facilitator, having led classes since 2012.

Wellness | Traumatic Brain Injury w/ Dr. Margaret H.
Dr. Margaret Huynh is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College. She is an attending neurointensivist and neurologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Queens.
Dr. Huynh is board-certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She specializes in diagnosing and treating severe neurological injuries in the intensive care setting, including, but not limited to, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders, meningitis, encephalitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke, seizures, and anoxic brain injury.
She received her medical degree from Midwestern University in Chicago as a Sigma Sigma Phi Honors Society member. She then completed a Neurology residency at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident. She returned to the East Coast, completing a Neurocritical Care fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.