From smoky-eyed vamps to spunky PIs, the role of women in crime fiction has come a long way, baby! This course focuses on women crime fiction writers and female sleuths, with the occasional "guy" thrown in for comparison.

Memoir is an agile form of writing; it can focus on any particular time, event or story from your life. We'll use engaging, active writing exercises to get each writer launched into the story they most long to tell, and will work to build a set of writing skills that will keep the story moving long after class is complete. Learn to use metaphor, sensory description and careful editing of details in a way that brings your unique voice alive on the page. Recover, preserve and share an important story that only you can tell— for your family, the wider reading community, or yourself.

You think about writing, but every time you face the blank page, anxiety takes over and you can't let yourself go. Maybe you have an idea for a novel, journal or essay, but feel confused and don't know how to start. This is the class for you! Our goal is to create a relaxed and creative environment, where students will learn basic techniques to organize thoughts, call the muses and acquire discipline to write regularly. We will write in class and at home and workshop our pages with each other to help you kick-start or move forward with writing projects. Returning students are also welcome, as class activities change every semester. You will leave this class motivated to write!

Get started with the fundamentals - strumming, picking, chords and more. Even if you do not read music, you will learn to play your favorite songs in just eight weeks.

Get more practice with the fundamentals—strumming, picking, chords and more.

Keep on strumming! This course is for those who have completed the beyond beginner level or who have equivalent experience.

Learn to strum favorite tunes on this simple, charming instrument with minimum tedium and maximum fun. In the first lesson, you'll learn how to tune, hold and strum a uke and you'll walk away with enough skill to play an easy, two chord song. Subsequent lessons will progress with additional chords and introduce more tunes. You'll be hard-pressed to find a happier, more joyful pastime. No musical background required.

For advice on purchasing a ukulele, an internet search: "Beginner Ukulele Buyers Guide" will yield many useful websites. To avoid disappointment it is advised to spend $100 or more on a new ukulele.
Soprano Uke - Very small
Concert Uke - Small
Tenor Uke - Medium (for Larger Hands)
Baritone Uke - Large (not recommended)
Local Sources: Guitar Center (Ridge Hill, Yonkers), Sam Ash Music (White Plains), Eastchester Music Center (White Plains Road)

If you have always wanted to learn to sing but have never had the opportunity to do so, this is the class for you. Join people who have the same love for singing that you do. You'll learn the essential tools of vocal technique (breathing, support, focus) in a supportive group setting so you can understand how to sing your favorite songs with ease. Singing both in a group setting and with some individualized instruction, we will also spend several weeks exploring the singing styles of the repertoire of Classic Broadway, the Great American Songbook and Pop/Rock from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Improv isn't just for actors. It's for anyone who wants to build confidence, sharpen their listening skills and communicate more effectively. Long time Upright Citizens Brigade and Magnet Theater performer, Matt Evans will work your professional and social skills through improv exercises and scenes that focus on spontaneity, authenticity and being present in "the now." This workshop series will help to develop the tools needed to speak comfortably in front of people (e.g presentations, meetings or job interviews). It's an open, fun and creative environment to take some risks, seize the moment and conquer your fears.

The focus is on FUN in this beginner harmonica workshop, while you learn powerful breathing techniques to make popular melodies and rhythms come alive, along with the many tricks and techniques to get "that sound" that makes the harmonica cry, moan and wail da Blues! No previous experience needed, only a desire to have fun.