Arts | Light, Shadow, and Storytelling in Art: Monet's Atmosphere: Light and the Passage of Time w/ Smriti R.
In this series, we will explore how artists throughout history have used light and shadow to tell stories and invoke certain emotions in their audiences. From Caravaggio’s dramatic use of chiaroscuro to Rembrandt’s direction of attention through light, we will analyze how light may illustrate isolation, drama, or even mystery.
Each class will focus on two or three paintings, and participants will be encouraged to share their own insights and interpretations of the visual techniques used in these pieces.
Smriti Rout is a mechanical engineering major at Stony Brook University with a passion for the fine arts and design. Throughout high school, she was an avid oil painter. The use of light was a focal point in her AP Drawing & Painting concentration. She greatly enjoys discussing artwork and is excited to share some of her favorite paintings with you and hear your perspectives.
Technology | Technology Overview: Customizing your Windows laptop w/ Johanna K.
Learn how to customize your Windows laptop, making it a unique reflection of your tech needs and lifestyle. From custom wallpapers and icons to personalized keyboard shortcuts and more, discover tips and tricks to transform your laptop into a true extension of yourself. 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!
Technology | Technology with NYPL: Navigating Fake News on Social Media 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 | Women Leaders: Mia Farrow: Actress, Humanitarian w/ Maegan W.
Join Maegan in a career overview of Mia Farrow: Actress, Humanitarian, and one of the most influential people in the world. Maegan White leads a weekly evening class on Women Leaders of the World. She 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!)
Wellness | Positive Mindset: Cultivating Well-Being in Everyday Life: Aging Healthier - Finding your Flow w/ Callie L.
Learn how to tap into a “flow state” – feeling fully absorbed and energized in whatever you’re doing. In this class, we’ll explore techniques to help you focus, stay mentally active, and enhance joy and fulfillment in daily activities. Learn about practical tools to help you stay motivated, manage stress, and nurture joy in everyday moments.
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.
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.
Science | Astronomy: Secrets! Beyond our Earthly Home w/ Maisha M. & Sheina P.
Join Astronomy students Maisha & Sheina to learn about our Galaxy!
Maisha Mahzabin is a Junior majoring in Astronomy and minoring in Studio Art at Stony Brook University. Sheina Peralta is a Junior majoring in Astronomy and Physics and minoring in Studio Art. They love gaming, makeup, and their cats!
Social | Life Stories to Share: Food I loved as a kid?/ Hobbies I enjoyed when younger? w/ Ross B.
Join Ross in sharing these thoughts: 2 Questions: What is one food you loved as a child that you still enjoy today? What hobbies or activities did you enjoy most when you were younger?
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 - can you guess? 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 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.
Arts | Ballroom Dance Culture w/ Christopher A.
Join Christopher to learn about different dance categories, their history, and the various dance cultures. Christopher Amador is a student at Utah Valley University and a great passion of mine is the art and expression of Ballroom Dance. He was a ballroom coach and competitive dancer for eleven years and even won a first-place award for his group choreography in 2021. Put your best foot forward, and let's learn about Ballroom Dance!
Wellness | Wellness & Self-Care: Nutrition Essentials w/ Daniela P.
Learn effective strategies for managing stress, including breathing exercises, time management tips, and relaxation techniques.
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.
Social | Thanksgiving - A Time to Remember All That We Already Have w/ Norman R.
Join Norman in discussing gratitude and how to practice it. Norman Reiss has long been an advocate for older adults, starting with helping 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 in-person and online programs. He is also a veteran enliveo /Virtual Senior Center facilitator, having led classes since 2012
Travel | Travelling through Europe: Paris, France w/ Cami B.
Join Cami to travel through Europe’s Cuisine, culture, and style, where we will engage in different types of cultural and travel aspects. Cami is a student at Pace University majoring in criminal justice and minoring in psychology and diplomacy. With a strong love for traveling and fashion.
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.
Arts | Musical Deep Dive: The King & I w/ Maddie G.
Join Maddie for a review of this endearing classic: The King and I is the fifth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on Margaret Landon's novel Anna and the King of Siam, which is in turn derived from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s.
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: What's on TV? Musical themes, pt. 2 w/ Rob L.
Many popular songs have been repurposed as TV theme songs. Today, Rob will play some of the biggest crossover radio/TV hits. He 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: Push & Pull w/ David W.
Join David for a full body workout. Do as much or little as you can as he explains how the various exercises help you in your daily movement.
David graduated college with a Film/Editing degree. He owned his own business for 20 years. After the birth of his daughters decided to go into Personal training. He concentrates on Mature Adults and leads individual and group training as well as works with people with various conditions like dementia, parkinsons, etc. David also teaches in the Arts & Science department as part time Faculty for Columbia College in IL.
Technology | Artificial Intelligence (AI) w/ Allen K.
Join Allen as he delves into all the ways A.I. is transforming every part of our lives! A former high school math teacher, Allen enjoys leading virtual classes on various topics.
Travel | Wowzitude: Wowzitude: Panama City: History meets Modern Marvels
Join the live Tours brought to you by Wowzitude! Join Susan and the Tour Guide at a vast array of amazing cities in the US and the World as they guide you to landmarks and iconic sites. The Tour Guide will comment on what is happening as it’s occurring in real time. There's no experience like it!
Wellness | Culture w/ Samyuktha V.
Join Sam to discover the power of stillness and mindfulness through guided meditation. In this class, we’ll explore various meditation styles, such as mindful breathing, open awareness, and guided meditation, including their benefits corresponding to different mindsets and needs. Along the way, we'll learn about the unique benefits each technique offers. We’ll conclude with a 10-minute guided meditation, leaving you feeling refreshed.
Sam Vattigunta is a third-year undergraduate student at Stonybrook University. She is majoring in Biology on the pre-med track and hopes to become a pediatrician. She grew up watching her parents practice meditation every day and has experienced the benefits so she’s interested in sharing with you as well!
Arts | Your Favorite Deep Album Cuts/Hits from the 1970’s w/ Jeffrey S.
Join Jeffrey and listen to your favorite deep album cuts and hits from the 1970s, including those by artists like the Beatles, Elton John, The Doobie Bros, Allman Bros, etc.! Jeffrey Scornavacca is a Boston-based songwriter/producer.
Along with singer/songwriter Jaida James, Jeff is actively involved in a music project called Appalachia Moderna, a blend of soulful vocals and traditional melodies with modern production and edgy slide guitar. With Agona Hardison, Jeff co-wrote and produced Agona’s last album, “This is the Year”.
Jeff and his music partners have raised over $20,000 for Musicians On Call and Boston Children's Hospital. Jeff graduated from Berklee College of Music, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Music and Audio Recording, and has an MBA from Suffolk University.
Arts | Paper Crafts: Woodland animal paper baskets w/ Tyler F.
Learn to make cute animal baskets to contain small items for your tabletop or to give with a gift inside! Materials: Card stock or printer paper, Clear tape (single or double-sided) or a glue stick, Scissors, Square template Pencils, or felt-tip markers. Colored construction paper: red, white, black, and grey.
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: 1 day I'd like to relive from past/Valuable life lesson w/ Ross B.
2 Questions: If you could relive one day from your past, which day would it be and why? What is one of the most valuable lessons you've learned from a difficult experience? 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!
Wellness | Healthier Holidays: Learn healthy lifestyle tricks! w/ Lisa F.
The holidays are full of family and friends, great food, and memories. But they aren't always compatible with a healthy lifestyle. Join Lisa to learn about a few tricks to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even during holidays. The happy occasions combined with holiday stress usually mean our overall well-being can take a hit from November to New Year's! Let happiness rule!
Lisa is a Certified Lifestyle Coach who has worked as a Life Coach, HR professional, and ESL educator in Hawaii and Japan. Born and raised in Hawaii, she loves the beach, blue skies, and water—her favorite activities include reading (while lounging at the beach) and aqua Zumba! Wanting to work her brain and learn something new, she is experiencing the challenges and fun of country line dancing.
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.
History | At Last! Enacting Civil Rights Legislation w/ Steve M.
For the first time in nine decades, the United States finally enacted meaningful legislation that ended Jim Crow and expanded voting rights. How did this happen? What strategies took place to bring this legislation into reality?
Steve has been teaching American History with VSC since 2018. He has had a varied career 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!
Games | CASINO BLACKJACK w/ Dave K.
Take a virtual trip to the casino and try your luck at beating the dealer at blackjack (same as 21). The first 6 players who sign in will get a seat at the table and get a chance to be the big winner! Please read the rules for playing under the "Materials" tab before coming to class. You are more than welcome to come and just watch to get familiar with the rules.
Dave was formerly a Radiation Therapy Physicist. He loves a variety of gambling games, including Poker and blackjack, as they incorporate memory, psychology, and logic into an interactive group where everyone is equal, and he's happy to share that with the VSC group!
Arts | Juilliard: Dancing Melodies w/Sabor de Florida ensemble: American Reflections: From Gershwin to Whitney Houston!
Composers will include Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, Whitney Houston, and more!
NY-based Peruvian American Giancarlo Llerena is a pianist, collaborator, and teaching artist. He is pursuing an MA of Music Degree in Collaborative Piano at Juilliard as a proud recipient of the Kovner Fellowship. He has appeared on many stages, such as Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, and recently performed with violinist Joshua Bell. He has had the privilege of being mentored by many esteemed musicians, including Itzhak Perlman.
Valentina Paolucci is an Argentine-born Italian American conductor & violinist studying for an MA in Orchestral Conducting at the Juilliard School. Recently she won 2nd place in the Athens 6th Int’l. Conducting competition & will work with the Athens Philharmonic this year. She has also played in the New World Symphony in Miami under Michael Tilson Thomas et al. She serves as Ass’t. Conductor w/the Greater Miami Youth Symphony & created Through the Staff, which has provided over 5,000 free private music lessons to underprivileged young students.
Culture | Vietnamese Culture: The Food, People & Culture! w/ Michelle V.
Michelle is a college student and athlete. She enjoys swimming since she was very young. She also enjoys reading and jewelry making. A fun fact about her is that she loves adrenaline and enjoys rollercoasters and bungee jumping!
Arts | Exploring The Art of Musical Theater: A Chorus Line! The Dancing Musical Phenomenon w/ Kaylyn N.
Today we will explore the musical A Chorus Line! We will discuss the process of how the show was created, its composer/lyricist, and the shows impact on the Musical Theater genre. We will watch clips of both the stage musical and movie performance Join Kay for a series on the concepts of Musical Theater. Learn about this beautiful performing art by discussing its history, shows, performances, traditions, and more!
Each class will discuss a different topic under the overall umbrella of musical theater. Kay Nelson is a junior at Pace University NYC studying Musical Theater with a minor in Commercial Dance. She has been a performer of all trades since she was 10 years old and loves to share her joy of art to others. You can catch Kay in many performances around the city when she is not training. She cannot wait to share her passions with everyone!
Arts | Country Western & Originals w/ Glenn M.
Glenn performs as an old-school singing cowboy, with colorful costumes and a repertoire of Country/Western favorites from past decades. Together with his wife Suzanne Smithline, he performs in the family-friendly rock and roll band "Squeaky Clean," who appeared for many years on Nickelodeon's "Eureeka's Castle."
Glenn performs an hour of well-loved songs ("Anything that you can sing wearing a cowboy hat"), an occasional corny joke, and updates on the family. Over the years, he has come to know the favorite songs of many participants. There is always a welcome mat and a "Howdy" for newcomers.
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!
Food | Baking Sweet things! w/ Stephanie D.
Stephanie is a senior at Pace University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and Pre-Medicine. Stephanie loves baking and cooking and is excited to share this passion with others.
Arts | Rodgers & Hammerstein: Their iconic Musicals, pt. 1 (MOC) w/ Stephen K.
Join Stephen on this first of a two-class journey through the iconic musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Starting with the ground-breaking “Oklahoma,” the first true “book musical” that integrated music, lyrics, dialogue, and character, Stephen will play and sing his favorite tunes from each show, sharing why each show is consequential - musically, theatrically, and culturally. As usual, Stephen will invite you to “name that tune” after playing a few bars on the keyboard!
Stephen has loved jazz music since being introduced to it by friends in college! He played piano and sang, mostly American Songbook Standards. He grew up in Buffalo, absorbing many musical influences from his parents and older brothers. He lives in San Diego and participates in the church's music ministry. He performs in retirement centers and jam sessions. He's a life-long learner of music and plays the Irish fiddle for variety!
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.
History | Women Leaders: Helen Frankenthaler - Trailblazer in Abstract Expressionism w/ Maegan W.
Maegan White leads a weekly evening class on Women Leaders of the World. She 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!)
Technology | Technology Overview: Black Friday/Cyber Monday w/ Johanna K.
Discover insider tips for maximizing savings and finding the best deals online and in-store. Learn smart shopping strategies, exclusive discount tricks, and how to avoid common pitfalls during the year's biggest shopping events. Don't miss out on this retail adventure! 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!
Arts | Light, Shadow, and Storytelling in Art w/ Smriti R.
In this series, we will explore how artists throughout history have used light and shadow to tell stories and invoke certain emotions in their audiences. From Caravaggio’s dramatic use of chiaroscuro to Rembrandt’s direction of attention through light, we will analyze how light may illustrate isolation, drama, or even mystery.
Each class will focus on two or three paintings, and participants will be encouraged to share their own insights and interpretations of the visual techniques used in these pieces.
Smriti Rout is a mechanical engineering major at Stony Brook University with a passion for the fine arts and design. Throughout high school, she was an avid oil painter. The use of light was a focal point in her AP Drawing & Painting concentration. She greatly enjoys discussing artwork and is excited to share some of her favorite paintings with you and hear your perspectives.
Travel | Exploring the World w/ Tate L.
Come and explore all the different places in the world with Tate.
Tate is a Minnesotan with a long-standing passion for our world's beauty. He loves to learn and share all he can on locations across the globe!
Arts | American Songbook and Love Songs w/ Jonathan V.
Join Jonathan as he performs piano vocal numbers from the American Songbook, Love songs, and more! He loves entertaining and interacting with the audience about the music. Jonathan Vitale, aka Dr Jonathan, is a pianist, vocalist, collaborator, songwriter, and family physician in Manhattan- follow him on Instagram @therealdrjonathan.
Technology | Everyday Tech for Beginners w/ Cindy G.
Technology can be confusing for people who didn't grow up using it on a day-to-day basis! This class is meant to be a place for beginners (although people of all levels are welcome) to introduce themselves to tools and tips as taught by someone who grew up in the smartphone generation. Learn about using technology, from the basics of Gmail and Spotify to tips on online safety and more!
Cindy is a student at Cornell University from NYC. In her free time, she is passionate about cooking, eating the food she cooks, and contemplating the existentialism of life.
Food | Baking Sweet things! w/ Stephanie D.
Stephanie is a senior at Pace University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and Pre-Medicine. Stephanie loves baking and cooking and is excited to share this passion with others.
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 | Travel Through History: Roman Empire - Foundation to Domination w/ John R.
The Roman Empire is a fascinating historical entity that evolved from its foundation to become one of history's most powerful and influential civilizations. Rome began as a group of villages along Italy’s Tiber River. About 750 B.C., the villages joined to form a city called Rome. Kings ruled it for more than 200 years.
Eventually, Rome became a republic, and the people elected representatives. Rome's history spans two and a half thousand years. It was the capital city of the Roman Empire, the dominant power in Western Europe, and the lands bordering the Mediterranean for over seven hundred years from the 1st century BC until the 7th century AD.
Born in Jersey City, NJ, John enlisted in the Army, served as a construction engineer, and graduated from CUNY with an Economics degree.
Wellness | The gift of mindfulness: Exploring the world of meditation w/ Samyuktha V.
Join Sam to discover the power of stillness and mindfulness through guided meditation. In this class, we’ll explore various meditation styles, such as mindful breathing, open awareness, and guided meditation, including their benefits corresponding to different mindsets and needs. Along the way, we'll learn about each technique's unique benefits. We’ll conclude with a 10-minute guided meditation, leaving you feeling refreshed.
Sam Vattigunta is a third-year undergraduate student at Stonybrook University. She is majoring in biology and is on the pre-med track, and hopes to become a pediatrician. She grew up watching her parents practice meditation daily and has experienced the benefits, so she’s also interested in sharing them with you!
Wellness | Nutrition & Healthy Eating w/ Anna D.
Join Anna to better understand how the body uses Food as fuel. We will discuss specific macro and micronutrients as they relate to the treatment of chronic diseases. We will experiment with creating healthy, easy, fun, and delicious recipes that you will want to make repeatedly!
Anna DiMaggio is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in nutrition for older adults and offers evidence-based, easy-to-understand nutrition and general health information and LIVE cooking workshops. Her true passion lies in understanding the interconnectedness of Food as Fuel and Medicine, & how that relates to Chronic Diseases. Her mission is to empower Older Adults with the knowledge, motivation, & kitchen skills that help them live their happiest and healthiest Life.
Travel | Wowzitude: Edinburgh, Scotland
Join the live Tours brought to you by Wowzitude! Join Susan and the Tour Guide at a vast array of amazing cities in the US and the World as they guide to the landmark and iconic sites. The Tour Guide will comment on what is happening live at the moment! There's no experience like it!
Arts | Golden Notes Choir: American songbook & Patriotic faves w/ Joe M.
Join Joe, his wife Ellen(who might dance as well!) & the Golden Notes choir of the Gural JCC and enjoy an Election Day trip through the American Songbook featuring some patriotic favorites.
Joe holds an MA in School Administration and a J.D. He taught high school social studies for decades and practiced law after retiring. He has presented at many conferences on law-related topics and continues to present to local organizations on the constitution, current events, and social issues.
His wife is a college professor and former public school Principal, his daughter is a teacher, and his son is a journalist. He’s most proud to be a grandfather of five girls, who motivate him in his interest in the American family.
Games | Trivia: Test your knowledge! w/ Jessica N.
Join Jessica for an alternate week Trivia games series where you will explore different topics each week. From the golden moments of decades past to pop culture, history, and more, each session is designed to spark memories, challenge your knowledge, and create lively discussions. So brew your tea, gather your thoughts, and get ready to enjoy a fun hour of trivia with friends!
Jessica is an MSW student at Silberman School of Social Work, passionate about the field of social work and its potential to make a positive impact. A lifelong trivia enthusiast, she loves watching Jeopardy every night and enjoys playing trivia with her family. Jessica is excited to bring her love of trivia to this engaging and fun series.
Science | Intrepid Museum: Tour of the Galaxy: Part 1 w/ Jim T.
Jim Tardiff is a born and raised New Yorker and has worked at the Intrepid Sea, Air, And Space Museum as an educator for 9 years. Currently, as Senior Educator, he is a specialist in space and aeronautics.
Culture | Discovering Dominican Republic’s Rich Culture w/ Veronica A.
Join Veronica on a vibrant exploration of the Dominican Republic’s rich cultural heritage. From the music and dance of merengue and bachata to the island’s history and traditions, this class offers a deeper understanding of the Dominican way of life. Whether you’re interested in its cuisine, art, or festivals, you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for this beautiful Caribbean nation.
Veronica was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and has a deep connection to her roots. Her love for music, storytelling, and Dominican culture blossomed. With a social work and community engagement background, she combines her professional skills with her passion for sharing her heritage. Veronica loves cooking traditional dishes, dancing merengue, and celebrating the rich diversity of Dominican culture.
Arts | Exploring The Art of Musical Theater: How did Musical Theater Begin? w/ Kaylyn N.
Today, we will dive into the roots of what made Musical Theater the performing art it is today. We will discuss the beginnings of the craft, starting from the influences of operetta and vaudeville. We will then discuss some of the first-ever Broadway Musicals! Join Kay for a series on the concepts of Musical Theater. Learn about this beautiful performing art by discussing its history, shows, performances, traditions, and more!
Each class will discuss a different topic under the overall umbrella of musical theater. Kay Nelson is a junior at Pace University NYC studying Musical Theater with a minor in Commercial Dance. She has been a performer of all trades since she was 10 years old and loves to share her joy of art to others. You can catch Kay in many performances around the city when she is not training. She cannot wait to share her passions with everyone!
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.