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Beginner Adult Ballet - Summer
with Morgan Sanborn
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Add movement to your weekly routine, learn something new, or even refresh skills from your past! Develop musicality along with a basic knowledge of ballet steps, including proper alignment along with the fundamentals of ballet technique. Each class will consist of barre and center work, along with exercises traveling across the floor. Students will also learn a brief history of ballet along with the historical context of steps and styles of classical ballet.
Bring ballet flat shoes and wear something comfortable to move in.
Morgan Sanborn is a member of City Ballet of Boston and freelance artist with extensive background training and performing in multiple styles of dance and 25+ years of teaching experience. She is currently an American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum® Fellowship Instructor, certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Pilates Academy International Mat, and working toward completing a comprehensive Pilates Apparatus Certification.
Lighthouse Photo Workshop
with Steve McGrath
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In the first live online class, we'll start by learning camera settings, aperture, shutter, ISO, white balance, and other compositional techniques critical to lighthouse photography.
On Saturday, 7/12, we will gather in person for the Lighthouse Lovers Cruise (3:30-7:30pm), through the Maine Maritime Museum, where we will focus on photographing the wildlife and lighthouses, sharing techniques and approaches.
Finally, we'll meet online the following week to discuss, share and critique our images. For beginner and intermediate photographers.
Note: Students must purchase their own Lighthouse Lovers Cruise ticket through the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath (appox. $63).
Please have a computer, stable internet connection, and your fully charged digital camera or smartphone for all sessions.
Preregistration required, with registration closing at noon on 7/9.
Zoom link provided by instructor.
Steve McGrath is a professional freelance photographer and teacher with 25 years of experience shooting sports photos for local high schools, then weddings and stock agencies. His love of the great outdoors led him to his true passion–nature photography. Steve was an active member of the Gateway Camera Club for many years and has won many ribbons and awards at fairs and competitions through the group and on his own. Many of his images have been published in school textbooks.
Beginner Adult Tap - Summer
with Gabby Poulin
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Tap is an incredible way to improve memory, coordination, balance, and reflexes! Develop musicality along with a basic knowledge of tap steps. Each class will consist of a warm-up, center and across-the-floor exercises, and a fun piece of tap repertoire or choreography. Join this fun class to add movement to your weekly routine, learn something new, or refresh skills from your past!
Bring tap shoes and wear something comfortable to move in.
Gabby Poulin is a graduate of Roger Williams University and was part of the RWU Dance Theater. She grew up training with Community Dance Project and Thornton Academy Dance Company under the direction of directors Emma Campbell and Sarah Choroszy. She further expanded her studies at Bates Dance Festival and Joffrey Ballet School and trained under Morgan Sanborn, Director of Dirigo Conservatory of Movement.
Gentle Yoga - Live Online
with Kathryn Gardner, RSMT
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Through a series of gentle movements, grounded in mindfulness of the body, heart, & mind, connect to your inner resources. All in the comfort of your own home! Experience greater health and well-being while releasing tension & stress by practicing somatic exercises, Qigong, guided meditation, and intuitive self-guided movement.
Preregistration required, with registration closing at noon on 7/11.
Zoom link provided by instructor.
Please have a stable internet connection, a yoga mat, and any props you might want for getting comfortable (a couple blocks or books, a blanket or two, and a pillow or cushion) and wear comfortable clothing.
Kathryn Gardner, RSMT, RYT, a somatic movement therapist & yoga teacher, works with individuals and groups in her private practice of SomaSoul® somatic movement therapy. She is a member of the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA).
Saco Museum Tour
with Tara Raiselis
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Join Museum Director Tara Raiselis for a tour of the Saco Museum, a treasure trove of local history! Since its founding in 1866 (under its original name, York Institute), the stated purpose of the organization was "to promote the study of natural history; encourage science and art; and also to collect and preserve whatever relates to the natural and civic history of York County." Evolving over the years to meet the changing needs of the community, the museum's galleries are set up to allow revolving exhibitions showcasing the extraordinary collections, special interpretive exhibits, and work by contemporary Maine artists. Permanent exhibits include paintings, furnishings, and household objects with documented histories of ownership in the Saco valley in the 18th and 19th centuries. The second floor includes a room furnished to reflect a mill girl's boarding house bedroom from the 1840s. The museum also has a display of antique natural history specimens, including birds of New England.
Preregistration required as space is limited, registration closes at noon on 7/16.
Tara Vose Raiselis has served as Museum Director at Dyer Library & Saco Museum since 2012. She holds a BA & MA in History from Pennsylvania State University, and an ABD from the College of William and Mary, also in History. Prior to her time in Saco, she worked at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, NH, and served as curator of the History Media Center at the University of Delaware.
Pickleball Specialty Shots Section 3
with Andra Yanchenko
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Practicing the basic strokes of pickleball keeps your game consistent, but one of the more fun things to do is to try out new shots. Strokes allow you to apply action to the ball, whereas a shot is more specific and happens after you have made a stroke. Get an intro to a variety of shots, including block, dink, lob, and volley. Serve and return of serve will also be covered. To have the best experience in this class, players are encouraged to have taken a Pickleball Taster course or played at the beginner level.
Registration closes 7/16; no refunds, credits, or transfers after registration closes or if class runs on scheduled rain date.
Students will be notified, via text, of weather postponements the morning of class. Rain Date 7/27.
Bring a pickleball paddle, 2 balls marked with your name (approx. $15-$40 on Amazon), and water. Wear weather-appropriate activewear, tennis shoes.
Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.
Intro to Nature Journaling - Summer
with Beverly Thorpe
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All levels welcome! Engage curiosity about the natural world using drawing and discussion. The first class will be held at the Saco Learning Center and class locations to various nature-rich areas will be discussed weekly and includes Clifford Park and Blandings Park Wildlife Sanctuary. Beverly will call by 9am IF the class is moved indoors (to the Saco Learning Center) due to inclement weather.
Bring a 5.5- X 8.5-inch spiral multimedia sketchbook, mechanical pencil with eraser, several gel or ballpoint pens with fine or medium points as well as a container to hold your materials when traveling to different sites. Optional: Watercolor pencil set (instructor recommends Pentel Arts Aquash water brushes available on Amazon - materials approx. $35).
Beverly Thorpe is a Maine Master Naturalist and artist working with various forms of art including pottery, metalsmithing, drawing, and painting. She leads nature walks on local trails focused on native plants & trees, and loves to share the awe-inspiring beauty of nature with others.
Late Summer Plant Walk on the Saco Heath Trail
with Laura Grover
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When is a berry edible? What's so special about ferns and how do you tell them apart? What is a partridge berry and are they found on a pear tree? The Saco Heath is a very special ecosystem and, in late summer, full of blueberries, huckleberries, aronia berries, pitcher plants, and more! Come and see rare and familiar plants and learn about what is edible, medicinal, poisonous, touchable, smellable, and best to be admired from afar! Learn to look closely at the world beginning to bloom in this very unique place! This trail, located on beautiful Wabanaki land, is moderately flat and may be muddy in spots, depending on whether we had rain recently. Half of the trail is a narrow wooden board walk with several stopping points with benches. Registration closes at noon on 8/19. Wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and an optional brimmed hat or cap (which helps with both sun and bugs). Bring binoculars, if desired. Walk starts promptly at 4pm. Rain date 8/22, 4-6pm.
Note: Please communicate any accessibility concerns at registration and we will ask Laura to contact you to discuss any needed accommodations.
Laura Grover is a plant and bird hobbyist, botanical illustrator for Fedco Seeds, and a mindfulness ambassador. She has led many plant identification and mindful foraging walks for people of all ages. She enjoys bringing people together to look closely in nature, practice mindfulness outside, and be a sensory animal in the woods.