Filter by Category
Our Classes
How To Play Piano by Ear
with Craig Coffman

This is a live, online class via Zoom.
Learn one of music’s deepest mysteries: how to play songs without relying on music. A very practical presentation of music theory that includes predicting chord progressions, learning from recordings, and transposing-all expressed in everyday language. This is an ideal follow-up to the “Instant Piano” class and is open to anyone who has a basic understanding of chords on any instrument. Expand your musical horizons, and free yourself from sheet-music dependence, and be the life of the party! Prior experience with chords recommended. Fee includes the online book, online follow-up lessons, a recording of the class and an optional monthly question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom.
Craig Coffman is an experienced piano and guitar instructor, professional pianist and music director. He has over 30 years’ experience teaching piano privately. His piano and guitar seminars, offered through Community Colleges and Community Education Programs, have been attended by over 30,000 students throughout Arizona, Minnesota and the United States over the last 27 years. He has a degree in Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Illinois (where he also studied piano) and a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Portrait and Pet Photography
with Steve McGrath

This is a live, online course.
This Portrait and Pet photography course is designed to teach you everything you need to know to take professional-quality portraits. You will learn how to work with all different types of subjects, from individuals and groups to children and pets. Steve will explain the nuances of lighting and posing, how to shoot in studio or on location, and how to master the gear you will need to create inspiring work!
Digital, film or smartphone will all work for this class.
Steve McGrath is a professional freelance Photographer and Photography Teacher who has been creating images for 30 years. Steve began his career by shooting sports photography for local high schools before adding weddings and stock agencies to his repertoire. His love of the outdoors has since led him to focus more on his true passion — nature photography. Many of his images have been published in school text books. His favorite places to shoot are Acadia National Park in Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Digital Photography 2 - Intermediate
with Steve McGrath

This is a live, online course.
This class is for you if you are comfortable with your camera and you want more! In this class we will explore the use of intermediate camera controls such as metering (spot, matrix, center weight), exposure and exposure compensation, ISO, aperture and shutter priority. We will take an in-depth look at manual focus and its use, fill flash and flash modes, as well as controlling motion, composition, and many other intermediate and advanced photography techniques.
Steve McGrath is a professional freelance Photographer and Photography Teacher who has been creating images for 30 years. Steve began his career by shooting sports photography for local high schools before adding weddings and stock agencies to his repertoire. His love of the outdoors has since led him to focus more on his true passion — nature photography. Many of his images have been published in school text books. His favorite places to shoot are Acadia National Park in Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the Cape Cod National Seashore.
3-D Printing Primer
with Michael Brzezowski

CLASSES ARE 2/24, 2/26, 3/3, and 3/5
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of 3D printing! In this hands-on class, you’ll start by uncovering the magic behind 3D printing technology, learning how it works, and exploring the cutting-edge printers that are transforming industries.
Next, you’ll get to roll up your sleeves and jump straight into the action—searching for, slicing, and printing your very own ready-to-go design.
And finally, you’ll unleash your creativity with TinkerCAD, where you'll design a one-of-a-kind object to bring to life on a 3D printer. Your custom creation will be printed and ready to take home during the final class!
By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills to turn your ideas into tangible, 3D masterpieces—whether you’re interested in art, engineering, or simply making something cool! Get ready to bring your imagination to life in ways you never thought possible.
Included in the price of the class is a $20 materials fee.
American Sign Language I
with SarahJoy Chaples

This is an in-person, classroom-based course at Mount Desert Island High School.
ASL 1 will be an introductory course for students interested in learning ASL. Topics covered will include: the alphabet; vocabulary for greetings, basic conversations, colors, time, and family; as well as an introduction to Deaf Culture.
SarahJoy Chaples has been teaching classes and workshops for over 10 years. She holds an MA from UMaine in Human Development and is fluent in American Sign Language. SarahJoy has been involved in the Deaf Communities here in Maine and in Massachusetts for over 20 years.
Successful Scholarship Searches and Applications
with FAME Finance Authority ME

This is a live, online class.
Scholarships can go a long way in helping students cover college costs, but being successful in the scholarship application process can take some work. In this session you’ll learn to build and work your own scholarship application plan. You’ll also learn about and try out different scholarship websites, learn how to best use a scholarship information tracker, and learn to avoid some of the challenges of the scholarship process. Students and parents interested in learning about the scholarship process can join Jessica Whittier, College Access Counselor with the Finance Authority of Maine for this 1-hour workshop as we talk scholarships.
Fiddlehead Basket
with Jessica Steele

This is an in-person, classroom-based course at Mount Desert Island High School.
If you are hiking in the forest or wandering in your garden, this will be a nice basket to make for fiddleheads, mushrooms, or herbs. Size is approximately 4” Width x 8" Height x 10" Length.
Wood Thrush Wilderness is an outdoor guiding and educational business that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and the natural world. As Licensed Recreation Maine Guides, we offer guided canoe expeditions throughout the state of Maine. We also offer classes and training in outdoor education, wilderness medicine, and traditional crafts such as basketry.
Digital Photography for Newbies
with Steve McGrath

This is a live, online course.
Are you still getting to know your digital camera and its features? Here’s an opportunity to learn from an expert in this seminar for beginners! Have your camera ready and learn when and how to use its special features - such as program mode, manual mode, aperture priority and shutter priority. Also covered will be basic composition and best use of light for different situations, such as plant, people, macro, and landscape photography.
Steve McGrath is a professional freelance Photographer and Photography Teacher who has been creating images for 30 years. Steve began his career by shooting sports photography for local high schools before adding weddings and stock agencies to his repertoire. His love of the outdoors has since led him to focus more on his true passion — nature photography. Many of his images have been published in school text books. His favorite places to shoot are Acadia National Park in Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the Cape Cod National Seashore.