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St. Johns County Council on Aging

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The Arts (writing, painting, acting, etc.)

Drawing 1 on Wednesdays in May at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar May 6, 2026 at 11:15 am, runs for 4 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 Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27 from 11:15 to 1:15 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Guitar 2 for Beginners on Wednesdays in May at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar May 6, 2026 at 11:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Guitar 2 for Beginners:

  • Learning more open string chords
  • Introduction to 12 Bar Blues progressions
  • Smoother chord changes
  • Having fun learning more pop / classic rock songs

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, May 6, 13, 20, 27 from 11:30 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Tap Dancing Level 3 on 3 Wednesdays and a Thursday in May at River House

$3750

with Judy Woodruff

Calendar May 6, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

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, May 6, 13, 27 from 1:30 to 3:00 and Thursday, May 21 from 12:15 to 1:45 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Belly Dance Basics and Beyond on Thursdays in May at River House

$1250

with Gina Marie Newman

Calendar May 7, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 2 weeks

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, May 7, 14 (no class sessions on May 21 & 28) from 9:30 - 10:30 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Bellydance Basics Level 1 on Thursdays in May at River House

$1250

with Gina Marie Newman

Calendar May 7, 2026 at 10:45 am, runs for 2 weeks

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, May 7, 14 (no class sessions on May 21 & 28) from 10:45 to 11:45 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Watercolor Doodles on Thursdays in May at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar May 7, 2026 at 11 am, runs for 4 weeks

Watercolor/doodle class is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about, and experiment with, two fascinating art forms: watercolor painting and doodling. Through a combination of hands-on instruction, group discussions, and individual feedback, students will develop their own unique style and gain the skills and confidence needed to express themselves creatively. 

 Supplies needed:

  • Watercolor paints - tube or pan paint sets
  • Extra-Fine black line markers (i.e. Sharpie black)
  • Small set of color markers (dual tips)
  • 140lb watercolor paper (hot or cold press -ok)
  • Mechanical pencil
  • White gel pen
  • Gold gel pen
  • Eraser
  • Paper towels
  • 2 Water containers
  • Paint brushes - 4, 6, 8 rounds; 1 inch flat brush; rigger brush
  • Color wheel

Class sessions take place on Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28 from 11 - 1 at the River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Classes are for adults age 18 and up

Will run

Colored Pencil Art on Thursdays in May at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar May 7, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

With instructor Liz Monaco, this class is designed to teach you the popular art of Colored Pencil to create your very own works of art. You will learn color mixing, layering, and other techniques to get the results you have always wanted. 

*Supplies Needed:

  • Prisma Color Premier Colored Pencils – Set of 24
  • Open Stock Colors: Black Grape, Magenta
  • Colorless Blender
  • White Plastic Eraser, Pencil Sharpener, Ruler
  • Bristol Vellum Drawing Paper
  • Tracing paper, Graphite Transfer Paper

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

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Tap Dancing Level 1 & 2 on Thursdays in May at River House

$25

with Judy Woodruff

Calendar May 7, 2026 at 2 pm, runs for 4 weeks

This class will accommodate the new beginner while honing the skills of the more experienced beginner. Class will focus on tap basic fundamental single and double sound steps. Short combinations will introduce/review such composite steps as the shim sham, front and back essence, waltz clog, and simple rhythm time steps.

Tap shoes are recommended for this class.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28 from 2:00 - 3:00 at River House (179 Marine St.)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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