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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Our Classes

Easter Caroling on Tuesdays in March at River House

$25

with Abigail Dyer

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 10:15 am, runs for 5 weeks

The River House welcomes the Spring holiday with a special Easter Caroling class. Easter Caroling will also be available in March in preparation for performance at local memory care centers on Tuesday, March 31st. Singers with limited availability are welcome to join the class for only one month. In the final class in March we'll perform our program across the street at the Coastal Community Center (and possibly other venues). No prior choral or singing experience is necessary. Music will be provided. Recordings of the melody and alto harmony lines for each song will be available by email as MP3 files prior to the start of class.

Bring a pencil. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 10:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

There will be a small performance on March 31 for those interested in participating.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Tai Chi / Qigong on Tuesdays in March at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Qigong is the art of cultivating our vital energy or life force using gentle movements coordinated with breathing. It promotes health and vitality. Tai Chi is the epitome of qigong. It is a healing art, a moving meditation, and a slow graceful dance. It relaxes the body and focuses the mind. It improves balance and posture. We'll learn a variety of standing qigong methods as well as the famous Cheng Man-Ching (Yang style) Tai Chi form. Please wear loose comfortable clothing and, if possible, flat-bottomed shoes.

Scott Farber, Ph.D., has been practicing and teaching Tai Chi & Qigong for over forty years. He has studied the form, push hands and sword.  As an apprentice in the international School of Tai Chi Chuan, he completed fifteen years of intensive teacher training.  A former college professor, he now serves as a health and wellness consultant, teaching yoga, tai chi and meditation.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Drawing 1 on Tuesdays in March at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 10:45 am, runs for 5 weeks

This course is structured to develop basic drawing techniques by concentrating on the elements of descriptive drawing through observation. 

Students will develop the qualities of line and volume with a full range of values. The course will also cover linear perspective and compositional design.

Materials needed:

  • 18" x 24" drawing paper pad (not sketching paper)
  • 16" x 20" (approx.) drawing board
  • #2 and #4 graphic pencils
  • white plastic eraser
  • kneaded eraser
  • masking tape

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 10:45 - 12:45 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Intermediate Spanish on Tuesdays in March at River House

$3750

with Maria Martinez

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 11:45 am, runs for 5 weeks

Intermediate Spanish class will focus on building upon existing  vocabulary and grammar knowledge to improve communication skills and fluency. This will include expanding vocabulary, refining grammar and practicing sentence variety and fluency.

Don’t forget your notebook (cuaderno) and pen/pencil (bolígrafo /lápiz). 

María Teresa Martínez is a native Spanish speaker, born in Havana, Cuba. Her family ancestry is from Spain. She came to the United States in 1968 and learned English as a high school student in Dover, Delaware. She has taught from early childhood to college level Spanish.  She also served as a medical and judicial interpreter for many years as the owner of a  translation and interpretation business. Since retiring to San Augustine she has enjoyed teaching Spanish classes at the River House/COA. Her courses provide an interesting mix of learning the Spanish language while enjoying tidbits about the colonial history of our city Saint Augustine and Spain. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 11:45 to 1:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Zambra Mora Dance Class on Tuesdays in March at River House

$25

with Gina Marie Newman

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 11:45 am, runs for 5 weeks

Join Gina Marie for a lively and inspiring Zambra Mora class that blends the passion of Spanish fusion dance with expressive movement techniques. In this series of beginner friendly classes you’ll explore:  

  • Dynamic dance combinations rooted in Spanish and fusion styles  
  • Skirt work that adds flair and drama to your performance  
  • Silk fan techniques to enhance your dance through graceful props  
  • Creative expression that celebrates rhythm, artistry, and individuality

With years of teaching and performance experience, Gina brings her expertise, warmth, and energy to every class. Whether you’re new to Zambra Mora or looking to expand your repertoire, this class offers a fun, supportive environment to grow your skills and enjoy the beauty of dance.  

Dance shoes or barefoot in the studio.

Wear a full skirt if you have one. Gina will have a few loaners as well as practice fans.

Class sessions will be on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 11:45 to 12:45 at River House (179 Marine St. in St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Jamming to the Classics - Ukulele / Guitar Combo! on Tuesdays in March at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Come join us for a fun filled group course where our Ukulele and Guitar players will be playing together side by side. We will all be playing several classic pop and classic rock favorites. Focus will be on tightening up our chord changes, learning new songs, building friendships and having a great time!

Requirements:

  • Ability to play open string chords reasonably well
  • Instrument
  • Music stand
  • Pen or pencil

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, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 1 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Line Dance on Tuesdays in March at River House

$25

with Ann Murdock

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Have fun and kick up your heels!

This fun line dance class will teach you popular line dances to various genres of music.

Beginners welcome. 

Dance has been an integral part of Ann's life. She has participated in line dance classes for many years and has provided private instruction to friends. Additionally, she has taught dances in the classes of other instructors.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 1 to 2 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Mah Jongg for Beginners on Tuesdays in March at River House

$50

with Marcia Farrell

Calendar Mar 3, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 5 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, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 1:00 - 3:00 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084) 

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run





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