Verde Valley Campus (Clarkdale)   

Music cleanses the mind and frees the soul. We'll listen to some of the world's greatest classical music composed by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Franck, Mussorsky, Saint-Saens, Vaughan-Williams, Copland, Barber, and Bernstein. Thanks to YouTube, we'll watch performers close-up in their home concert halls. This is not an analytical class. We'll simply listen and briefly say how the music makes us feel.

Following the big band swing era in music, jazz began to diversify into several different genres: bebop, hard bop, modal, free jazz, and jazz fusion. Beginning in 1945 and until his death in 1991, Miles Davis was at the forefront of this evolution in music. We will discuss Miles' life and listen to examples of his music.

Inspired by Hans von Bulows successful concert tours of America in the late 1800's, this series seeks to recreate the nature of his historic Beethoven "lesson" concerts. Bulow selected a sequence of Beethoven Sonatas to be performed as solo recitals over a period of (usually) 4 nights. Adjusting program length to present day tolerances, I propose the following four recitals followed by classroom analysis and discussion: 1. Op. 10; 2. Op. 31; 3. Op. 53, Op. 57; and 4. Op. 109, Op. 110, and Op.111.

Free yourself from Microsoft Office! We will survey free Google tools: explore Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Google Drive while learning core skills like creating, formatting, adding photos, organizing files, and opening Microsoft documents. See how smartphone and tablet apps let you stay portable across all your devices and move easily to new ones. We will look at a few free AI tools that can work together. Create options for yourself!

Discussion of what Medicare Parts A and B cover, how prescription drug plans work, and how Medicare supplemental plans and Advantage plans (Part C) help to cover remaining health care costs. Paper copies of documents shown are provided.

We are a culture of overachievers. We make things happen and happen fast. If only there were a way to slow things down just a little bit and savor life's simpler moments. Well, there is, it’s called DNA, or the Do Nothing Approach. Professor Rick Rokosz, a certified, self-proclaimed, do-nothing professional (CDNP), will take you on an enlightening journey and show you ways to reach life's simpler moments by using the DNA techniques.

Thinking a little foggy? Forget where you put your cell phone? Join our class to learn brain-power boosts. We'll solve puzzles, do memory exercises, and practice physical stretches. We'll talk about good brain-nutrition, and take quick walks outdoors to clear the brain and re-oxygenate our bodies. Share your favorite techniques for remembering, and learn from others.

Let's review prominent current events in their historical context, with the goal of providing a fuller understanding of their causes and possible consequences. Participation and discussion will be encouraged. Please note this class skips one week (no class 6/17).

LBJ: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. This workshop explores the life and presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson from his Texas Hill Country roots to his years as president. We will look at the sweeping ambitions of his Great Society alongside the deepening conflict in Vietnam and consider how these forces shaped his legacy.

Oceans apart, cultures apart—yet the U.S. and China connected soon after American independence. Join us to trace early trade, diplomatic, and cultural ties in the first of three workshops, drawing on John Pomfret’s excellent narrative history “The Middle Kingdom and the Beautiful Country” and other sources. Later sessions in the Fall will cover 1860–1950 and 1950 to today.

Why does Costa Rica inspire such enthusiasm among travelers? Whether you're planning a visit or simply curious, this engaging overview explores the country’s geography, climate, astonishing biodiversity, vibrant economy, unusual democratic history, and celebrated commitment to living in harmony with nature.

Karma is often thought of in negative ways, but karma is neither good nor bad. It shows up as emotionally charged unresolved situations in our present life. Symptoms of unresolved situations will show itself as anger, guilt, grieving, anxiety, depression and fear. We will talk about the ways we all get stuck and what part “real forgiveness” plays in getting unstuck. Should you choose, you will have an opportunity to share your forgiveness challenges.

Ever dreamed of leading an OLLI course? This practicum helps you turn ideas into classes, regardless of experience or topic. Starting with the elements of a course proposal, we work step by step, using AI and the group as sounding boards. By the end, you’ll have a course design and a plan to attract participants—and perhaps co-facilitators. Note: First class meets in person at VVC-I-138. Remaining meetings will be on zoom. Class Meets Mon, Wed, & Fri for two consecutive weeks.

We are creatures of habit. We do things on autopilot, and usually without thinking. Sometimes this works in our favor, and sometimes, not. But what if you could better understand your habits, and change the ones you don’t like? Well, you can. Join Professor Rick Rokosz, self-proclaimed habit guru, for an enlightening, eye-opening, engaging, practical journey into how habits really work, how to break the ones that hold you back, and how to build new ones that move you ahead, and make them stick.

In Classroom 1-1/2-2 hours each, weekly lesson plan handouts and assignments, 5-10 minute in class writing and critique from prompts, stand alone essay based memoir topics, essays in progress readings and critique. Participants will produce three 1,000 word essays to be compiled into a document for each participant. Sample prompts: Influencers, A Childhood Friend, A Favorite Place, A Memorable Journey, others as chosen by participants or the facilitator.

Organize your thoughts, photos, artwork, letters, diaries, and emails. We will write in class and at home - yes, homework. Bring paper, pen, and/or laptop. Your first chapter will be on your grandparents, second chapter on your parents, then chapters about your life divided into 15-year segments. Writing topics will be suggested, and your work edited. You may read your work aloud to the class, if you like.

We take to the out-of-doors (en plein air) to create our summer poetry. No history or counting of syllables, just fun as we take the class to favorite Yavapai Clarkdale Campus locales, creating our poetry together--giving new meaning to Free Form Verse! Meeting "early" mornings (10:30am) for 4 weeks only. Facilitator will send email with the first week meet-up location on campus and then explore from there. Hopefully 10:30am-noon will keep us out of the summer’s extreme heat. Bring your notebooks! Let’s have Fun!