Literary & Performing Arts   

If you have always wanted to learn to sing but have never had the opportunity to do so, this is the class for you. Join people who have the same love for singing that you do. You'll learn the essential tools of vocal technique (breathing, support, focus) in a supportive group setting so you can understand how to sing your favorite songs with ease. Singing both in a group setting and with some individualized instruction, we will also spend several weeks exploring the singing styles of the repertoire of Classic Broadway, the Great American Songbook and Pop/Rock from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

This class takes a fun and fast-moving approach to performance, providing a context for dynamic acting and a provocative way to read and watch plays. Acting Out is a text-based, hands-on acting class in which we will discuss, dissect and perform monologues and scenes from a variety of contemporary plays and contemporary adaptations of classics. We will look at what characters in a wide range of plays have in common, and how the most vivid performances emerge from determining why characters act in certain ways. Students will perform in pairs and small groups, working on each play from a distinct point of view. Acting Out is a way of working – an approach to acting that uses the clues in the text as the foundation for vital performances and dynamic interaction. Full plays will be provided as scans in advance of class, and hard copies of individual scenes will be handed out in class meetings.

Learn how to create a memoir anyone would want to read, using theme, plot, character, and dialogue. This class is ideal for those looking for a place to start as well as those who have already begun writing. There will be some in-class writing, so please bring either paper/pen or a laptop.

Learn to strum favorite tunes on this simple, charming instrument with minimum tedium and maximum fun. In the first lesson, you'll learn how to tune, hold and strum a uke and you'll walk away with enough skill to play an easy, two chord song. Subsequent lessons will progress with additional chords and introduce more tunes. You'll be hard-pressed to find a happier, more joyful pastime. No musical background required.

For advice on purchasing a ukulele, an internet search: "Beginner Ukulele Buyers Guide" will yield many useful websites. To avoid disappointment it is advised to spend $100 or more on a new ukulele.
Soprano Uke - Very small
Concert Uke - Small
Tenor Uke - Medium (for Larger Hands)
Baritone Uke - Large (not recommended)
Local Sources: Guitar Center (Ridge Hill, Yonkers), Sam Ash Music (White Plains), Eastchester Music Center (White Plains Road)

Music has often been called the universal language that we can all relate to and guitar is an excellent way to experience this.  Learn in simple, easy to understand language, the skills used for holding the guitar, strumming chords, and playing melodies. 

This class builds on the skills acquired in Guitar: Beginner or other comparable experience.  You will work on refining the basics of guitar playing and continue learning new melodies. 

This class is designed to help guitar players improve their playing.  If you are someone who plays the guitar a bit, and are ready to learn some new things that will help you play better, this class is for you.

Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, a veteran actor or just curious, anyone can play with improv. Not only is it fun, but the benefits of improv are many, including increased confidence, less fear of public speaking, better communication skills and learning to think on your feet.  Beginning with easy warmups and exercises, we’ll move into individual, partner and group scenes, giving you the freedom to explore and play.  No memorization involved, just come ready to jump in!

Writing is taking the idea in your mind that delights you and turning it into a story that will captivate someone else. But how does one do that? In this class, you’ll learn how to brainstorm an idea, craft characters to inhabit your fictional world, work with plot and use peer feedback/suggestions to your story’s advantage. We will explore the joys of writing collectively and separately, using writing exercises, peer feedback/suggestions, and utilizing the power of a writer’s room-like environment to better our stories. By the end of the workshop, you'll be ready to bring your story to life!

You think about writing, but every time you face the blank page, anxiety takes over and you can't let yourself go. Maybe you have an idea for a novel, journal or essay, but feel confused and don't know how to start. This is the class for you! Each week we will have lessons on craft where you will learn basic techniques, like structuring your plot or creating a convincing dialogue. You will also learn how to better organize thoughts, call the muses and acquire discipline to write regularly. The craft lessons are followed by a prompt where we apply the techniques and practice skills that will help you to improve your writing and move forward with your project.
Please be sure to register by the day before the class at the latest. You will receive an invitation email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. Click here for a tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting.