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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Our Classes

Beginners Ballroom Dance Group Class on Tuesdays in June at River House

$25

with Ramona Walter

Calendar Jun 3, 2025 at 11:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Join Ramona as she teaches Beginners Ballroom Dance Group Class. No partner is needed. A strictly beginners Ballroom Dance Class where you come to enjoy yourself with friends you haven't met yet. We have a great time while learning a new skill.

Learn the basic steps in Ballroom Dance so you can move around the dance floor with confidence. Dancing is the best exercise for your body and your brain. Come join us, you'll love it.

Wear comfortable shoes, leather bottom preferred.

Ramona is the former owner of Mona Gail Dance Center. She studied Ballroom dance under Jack Kalan and became a teacher at the age of sixteen. While working with Fred Astaire she became the Tri-State Dance Director and she is a multi National Championship winner. She has experience in choreography and her local students won first place in the "I Love Dance Competition" at World Golf Village in 2020.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 from 11:30 to 12:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Intermediate Ballroom Dance Group Class on Tuesdays in June at River House

$25

with Ramona Walter

Calendar Jun 3, 2025 at 12:45 pm, runs for 4 weeks

You must have basic knowledge of ballroom dancing.

In this class you will learn the technical elements of ballroom dance including leading and following. You will also learn correct ballroom posture so you will look good while executing your steps. Learn how to recognize the right music for the right dance.

Come join us. You'll have a great time!

No partner is needed.

Wear comfortable shoes, leather bottom preferred.

Ramona is the former owner of Mona Gail Dance Center. She studied Ballroom dance under Jack Kalan and became a teacher at the age of sixteen. While working with Fred Astaire she became the Tri-State Dance Director and she is a multi National Championship winner. She has experience in choreography and her local students won first place in the "I Love Dance Competition" at World Golf Village in 2020.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 from 12:45 to 1:45 at The River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Band Jam Class on Tuesdays in June at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Jun 3, 2025 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Learn how to relate to a percussion drum instrument in a Band type setting. We'll be jamming together to classic pop and rock favorites. This class is open to Guitar and Ukulele players. Come join the fun!

Requirements:

  • Guitar or Ukulele
  • Music stand 
  • Pen and paper

Dennis Fermin has been playing guitar for over 30 years and joyfully helping others learn to play along the way. As a graduate from Musician's Institute of California, he has the skills and the patience to teach on many different topics and styles of music. Currently you can hear him perform locally as Fermin Spanish Guitar.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 from 1 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Mah Jongg for Beginners on Tuesdays in June at River House

$50

with Marcia Farrell

Calendar Jun 3, 2025 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Mah Jongg is an ancient Chinese game played by four people using tiles bearing various symbols. If you are familiar with the card game Gin Rummy, you have a head start in understanding Mah Jongg. Mah Jongg is an exciting and mind challenging game that helps stimulate your thought process.

Marcia has been playing Mah Jongg for over 20 years. She taught Mah Jongg at the Riverview Club and to the people in her development, as well as other developments. She also taught Mah Jongg at the COA in 2009. She loves the game and plays several times a week. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 from 1:00 - 3:00 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Full Course

Exploration of Acrylic Painting from Beginning to End on Tuesdays in June at River House

$50

with Heather Harley-Davidson

Calendar Jun 3, 2025 at 1:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Students will learn the basic concepts of working with acrylic fast drying paints with the objective of completing three 16 x 20 paintings and framing one. The first class consists of prepping three canvases and subject matter selection while listening to lectures on the topic of art history, prep, supplies, care of brushes, and digital and old school transposing of references. In the remaining class sessions students will receive hands on instruction on pallet paint layout, supplies, taping techniques, history & symbolism, foreground and background, variations of canvases, mixing colors, brush strokes, shading, different size and framing challenges, and in-class plein air instruction and principles. Students are required to bring their inner child creativity so we can paint.

Suggested Class supplies

  • One inch disposable paint brush (needed first class)
  • Pencil (needed first class)
  • Rubber Eraser (needed first class)
  • 3 pack of Artist Canvas 
  • 16x20 (stretched or pannel) (needed first class)
  • White Gesso Primer 8 oz (needed first class) 
  • styrofoam egg carton  
  • Grumbach Acrylic Paint Set Pack of 6, 3 oz tubes "primary"  
  • 12 to 14 piece professional Artist Paint Brush Set   
  • 1/2 inch green painters tape   
  • Optional table or stand easel
  • Additional Grumbach Acrylic Paint:  Yellow, Ochre, Bunt Sienna, Raw Umber
  • Old Picture Frame 16x20

Heather Harley Davidson is an award winning multi medium artist and builder. A local of St. Augustine for 45 years, her distinct impressionism style is known by locals who delight in her use of color and depiction of historical St. Augustine. She is an active member in the St. Augustine Art Association and participates in their annual Plein Air events. She attended the University of North Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology Building Construction Management. Heather's art interests motivated her studies to focus on architecture principles and art history, complemented by traveling around the world on pilgrimages to view the masters. She has taught private art classes over the years and at her mother's former Historic Grounds Book Store in Green Cove Springs.

Class sessions will meet on Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Sound Vibrational Frequency (Sound Bath) on Tuesdays in June at River House

$25

with Sharon Infante

Calendar Jun 3, 2025 at 2:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Since everything has a vibrational frequency, including ourselves, it makes sense that sound frequencies impact how we feel. That’s why particular songs and types of music often bring about specific types of emotions. Vibrational sound healing therapy (sound bath) can retune your body, mind and spirit, while encouraging relaxation, healing and wellness. These sessions use therapeutic crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, "wind gong", and  tuning forks and other sound vibration tools. The combination of tones and vibrations that produce a state of tranquility and act as a massage for the nervous system create a state of vibrational balance and harmony.

Participants are encouraged to be in a resting position. Best if on the floor with a yoga mat or a portable reclining chair but sitting up also works. Many enjoy having a light sheet or blanket to place over them.

Simply rest with eyes closed and listen as the practitioner plays a variety of instruments and you “bathe” in the soothing sounds and vibrations. Sound frequencies slow down the brain waves to a deeply restorative state which activates the body’s system of self-healing. Crystal bowls are tuned to chakras as well as the tuning forks. The gong, bowls and tuning forks helps release tension in the body and stimulates the glandular and nervous system. Vocal chanting sometimes is added which further releases stagnant energy of the organs and as in singing lifts our spirit. As in humming and sound frequency, nitric oxide is release and enhances our cellular state within.

Sharon has been on her journey since 2000, trained in Woodstock, NY with Master trainers of Sound and Frequency. She is a Qigong Practitioner, Senior Trainer of IIQTC Tai Chi Easy Leader, certified in various Tai Chi Health forms, Master Reiki and energy healer, and completed studies in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24  from 2:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Watercolor 1 on Wednesdays in June at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Jun 4, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 4 weeks

This course is designed to teach the student the techniques of transparent watercolor using both the ”wet” and “dry” methods. Student will learn the unique characteristics of the watercolor medium, its possibilities and limitations, as well as the special papers and brushes used in the execution of art works.

Mr. Ouellette received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Painting from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He taught at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and showed in many galleries and museums including the Detroit Institute of Art. He moved to St. Augustine in 1981 where he continued his career as an artist and professor of Fine Art at the Florida School of the Arts in his twenty-six year tenure. He was also a professor of Fine Arts, Painting and Design and Art History at SJRCC St. Augustine campus. He is currently teaching Art History and Studio classes at Flagler College Continuing Education.

Watercolor Materials and Supplies                

Brushes:

  • sable (preferred), ox hair (if you can find it or sable blends or sable synthetics 
  • 1”       flat
  • 1/2”    flat
  • #8  and #10  round
  • rigger brush 

 Paper:

  • Two sheets of Arches 22”x30”, 140 lb. cold press,  or a 9” x 12” block      

Paints:

Box sets of tube watercolors which should include most of these:        

  • ultramarine blue
  • cerulean blue
  • cobalt blue
  • thalo blue
  • alizarin crimson
  • cadmium red light
  • cadmium yellow light 
  • new gamboge
  • burnt umber
  • burnt sienna 

Other materials:                            

  • covered palette, plastic
  • painting board
  • masking tape
  • materials box
  • non-breakable container for water
  • roll of paper towels

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25 from 9:00 - 11:00 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Gentle Yoga on Wednesdays in June at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Jun 4, 2025 at 9:15 am, runs for 4 weeks

This dynamic yet gentle class is for all ages, accommodating beginners as well as those who want to deepen their practice. Using teaching demonstrations and detailed guidance, each class proceeds in a safe and slow way to instruct the basics of (Kripalu) yoga postures, breathwork and meditation. Plenty of modifications and variations will be given for different body types. 

Class is 60 minutes and include an opening centering, gentle warmups, postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and a long closing relaxation (yoga nidra). 

Please bring your own yoga mat, water bottle, and blanket or cushion to sit on.

Scott Farber, Ph.D., E-RYT 500/YACEP. Scott has been practicing yoga, meditation, and t'ai chi since the 1970s. A former college professor, with a doctorate in philosophy of education, he has traveled and taught all over the world. He now serves as a lead trainer in the Discovery Yoga School, offering a variety of yoga classes, workshops and teacher trainings.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25 from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course




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