Join us for a fun entry level course on the guitar. Topics covered will be:

String names / Tuning

Easy single note melodies

Power Chords / Classic riffs

Basic open string chords and Strum patterns

Supplies needed

• Acoustic Guitar 
• Compact Music Stand 
• Pen or Pencil for notes

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 Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 11:30 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

For the experienced tap dancer with a good command of tap technique and vocabulary this intermediate level class emphasizes choreography. Practice includes a variety of time steps, more syncopated rhythms, developing speed with clarity, and performance quality. Choreography includes new work and some dances from the Matanzas Tap performance repertory.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Journal Cover Design.

Join our inspiring hands-on class designed to help you craft and personalize your very own art journal! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop offers a perfect space to explore your creativity, experiment with different techniques, and develop your unique artistic voice.

Page Techniques: Practice diverse methods like watercolor washes, mixed media layering, doodling, stamping, and collaging to bring your pages to life.

Creative Exploration: Use prompts and exercises to unlock ideas, encourage spontaneous art-making, and let your pages evolve naturally.

Personalization: Learn how to incorporate your own memorabilia, quotes, and themes that resonate with your personal story or interests.

Maintaining Your Journal: Tips for staying motivated, documenting your everyday moments, and making journaling a fun and ongoing creative project to continue exploring long after the session.

Who Should Join: Anyone interested in art, self-expression, or simply exploring new ways to create! No prior experience needed—just an open mind and a love for making art.

Basic Supplies to bring each week:

• Journal-A Commercial or handmade journal with heavy paper for mixed media projects 
• Glue – Mod Podge or PVA (white school glue), Fabric tac glue, and Glue stick 
• Scissors 
• Pencil 
• Eraser  
• Ruler
• Acrylic paints- Metallic and primary colors 
• Graphite Pencil 
• Color Markers 
• Gel Pens (White, Gold, Silver,) 
• Color Wheel 

Additional supplies may be needed depending on the type of project offered each week. You will want to adapt these projects to your own style and colors. Art prompts are offered at each class to help encourage working with different materials. Note: Whenever you can, try using or adapting what you have on hand. 

Contact Lia Monaco at lizart23@gmail.com for any of the upcoming projects and supply lists. Let me know the dates you will be attending.

Class session will be held on Monday, January 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Group singing class is focused on the basics of classical singing technique.  You'll learn exercises to improve your breath control as well as your vocal strength, range and clarity.  You'll also have a chance to apply your new technique to the repertoire of your choice.  

Please bring two printed copies of the sheet music for a song of your choice to work on over the course of the month. Students of all levels are welcome.

Singing teacher and classical singer Abigail Dyer was born in West Orange, New Jersey. With a private voice studio in St Augustine Beach and over 20 years' experience teaching opera professionals and amateur singers alike, Abby specializes in developing healthy vocal technique in the service of expressive singing.

Abby is a graduate of Vassar College (BA) and Columbia University (MA, M.Phil., Ph.D.), and the Mannes College Wagner Theater Program.

Class sessions will be held Tuesdays, January 13, 20, 27 (no class session on Jan. 6) from 10:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

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, January 13, 20, 27 (no class session on Jan. 6) from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Welcome to Level 2 Belly Dance, the next step in your dance journey with Gina! This class is specifically designed for students who have successfully completed Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class and are ready to build on their foundational skills. Please check class requirements for additional requirements.

In Level 2, we will shift our focus towards learning to perform choreography, integrating the movements and techniques you have mastered into beautiful, fluid routines.

What You'll Learn:

• Choreography Integration: Learn to combine various bellydance movements into seamless choreography.
• Performance Techniques: Discover how to enhance your dance with expressive gestures, emotional engagement, and stage presence.
• Group Dynamics: Practice dancing in synchrony with a group, honing your ability to perform in unison with others.

Class Structure:

• Warm-Up: Gentle stretching and conditioning to prepare your body for dance.
• Technique Review: Quick recap of key movements from Level 1 to ensure a strong foundation.
• Choreography Breakdown: Step-by-step instruction on new dance routines, with a focus on mastering each section before moving on.
• Drills and Repetition: Practice sequences to build muscle memory and precision.
• Performance Practice: Opportunities to perform the learned choreography, with constructive feedback from Gina.

Requirements:

• Completion of Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class or equivalent experience.
• Comfortable dance attire and a willingness to explore and express through movement.

Barefoot or dance shoes. No sneakers. Comfortable clothing such as yoga wear or something you can move freely in. A coin belt or hip scarf is fun to wear if you have one.

Gina Marie is Director of Blue Lotus World Dance and is a certified SharQui Belly Dance Fitness Instructor.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, January 15, 22, 29 (No class sessions Jan. 1 & 8) from 9:30 - 10:30 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Welcome to the Level One Bellydance class, designed for participants of all ages and skill levels! This class focuses on low-impact movements that promote improved flexibility while ensuring a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience in bellydance, this class is perfect for you.

Throughout the session you'll learn foundational bellydance movements such as hip drops, shimmies, and graceful arm patterns. These movements are taught at a comfortable pace, allowing you to master each step while also improving your overall flexibility and core strength.

At its core this class is about enjoying the art of bellydance, embracing the music, and expressing yourself through movement. It's a welcoming environment where participants can come together to learn, dance, and have a great time.

Join us for a delightful journey into the world of bellydance, where every step brings you closer to improved flexibility, increased confidence, and a whole lot of fun!

Barefoot or dance shoes. No sneakers. Comfortable clothing such as yoga wear or something you can move freely in. A coin belt or hip scarf is fun to wear if you have one.

Gina Marie is certified in Sharqui Bellydance Fitness has been teaching for more than two decades. She will guide you through gentle warm-up exercises to prepare your body for the movements ahead. As you progress through the class, you'll also have the opportunity to practice combinations and sequences that blend seamlessly into a fluid dance routine.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, January 15, 22, 29 (No class sessions Jan. 1 & 8) from 10:45 to 11:45 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

This class has 6 sessions meeting over the months of January and February. 

Creating portraits with colored pencils is a delicate and rewarding process that combines observation, technique and creativity. No drawing skill is necessary. Students will learn how to gradually build up color layers to ensure vibrant colors and smooth blending. The first 3 sessions of this course will entail reviewing colored pencil techniques, some basics on color theory plus how to render features of the face, hair and skin tones. The next 3 sessions will be used to complete a full portrait. Below are suggested colors to use. The Prismacolor portrait set is a more economical approach when adding skin tone colors to your own pencils. Check first to see if you already have these colors so you don't end up duplicating. There are a few additional colors in the list for hair and eye colors.

SUPPLIES:

• HB Pencil, Ruler, Eraser, sharpener, poster putty, Prismacolor colorless blender, painters tape
• Graphite transfer paper,
• Artist support board
• Drawing paper - Strathmore bristol vellum, 11x14
• Prismacolor Premier pencils (Portraits)
• Poster tac or putty
• Mister Clean sponge

Provided by the instructor- Reference photos 

Optional supplies: Battery Power Eraser, stiff stencil brushes

Click here for Suggested colors for color pencil portrait class

Class sessions will meet on Thursdays over the months of January and February - Jan. 15, 22, 29 and Feb. 5, 12, 19 - from 11 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St. in St. Augustine)

No class sessions Jan. 1 & 8 and Feb. 26.

Please read over the cancellation policy found here: https://coasjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RH-Cancelation-Policy-01-2023.pdf 

For ages 18 and up.