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Mt. Desert Island Adult & Community Education



Lifelong Learning

Chair Yoga

$59

with Michelle Spencer

Calendar May 1, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 6 weeks

This is a live, online class via Zoom.

This morning class practiced in a chair offers mind and body benefits without having to get up and off the floor or even changing into Yoga clothes.  Enjoy a “pick me up” at home or at your office by using structural techniques to improve your range of motion, relax tight or overused muscles and release tension from the mind.

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5

Tai Yoga

$59

with Michelle Spencer

Calendar May 6, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 6 weeks

This is a live, online class via Zoom.

A practice that will involve a series of slow, rhythmic movements and physical postures, meditation, controlled, breathing, stretching, and strength for the mind and body. This class is a combination of tai chi, traditional yoga, and qi gong.

May 6, 12, 19, June 3, 10, 17

Stress Reduction & Relaxation with Therapeutic Yoga

$59

with Michelle Spencer

Calendar May 6, 2025 at 5:30 pm, runs for 6 weeks

This is a live, online class via Zoom.

This 60 minute yoga practice will provide sequences that calm the nervous system, along with stretching and warming the muscles while preparing the mind to rest. Breathing techniques, short meditation and positive affirmations will end the practice

May 6, 12, 19, June 3, 10, 17

Student Loan Repayment Strategies and Pro Tips

Free

with FAME Finance Authority ME

Calendar May 7, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

This is a live, online class.

There are many different facets to the student loan program that can be powerful in helping you achieve your financial goals but also can be confusing. If you are struggling with your payments, did you know there are several income-based repayment plans as well as deferment or forbearance? Did you know you could get .25% off your interest rate if you sign up for auto-debit on your federal loans? Do you know you can work towards loan forgiveness now if you work for a non-profit, government or tribal agency? Whether you have recently graduated from college or have been repaying your students loans for a long time, join us to learn how to best manage your student loan repayment. Join Nikki Vachon, College Access Counselor from the Finance Authority of Maine as she shares pro-tips and answers questions. 

How To Play Piano by Ear

$59

with Craig Coffman

Calendar May 10, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 1 week

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.   

 

 

Ukulele for Beginners

$79

with Duncan Perry

Calendar May 13, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 4 weeks

This is a live, online class.

Learn to play the ukulele! It has never been more popular and you don't even need to know how to read music! On the uke you can knock out folk music, rock, blues, jazz, pop, country, tunes old and new -- even classical music. Duncan Perry, who has taught more than 700 students of all ages, will introduce you to essential chords and playing skills using familiar songs. There are lots of laughs along the way and learning to play an instrument is good for your brain!

You will need a playable ukulele and an electronic tuner or a tuner app. And when folks hear you play this happy instrument, well, they just have to smile! If you don’t own a ukulele, please contact us (uketime24@gmail.com) for information. What are you waiting for? Grab a uke and get ready for a musical adventure, then spread the joy!

Biography

Duncan is an experienced multi-instrumentalist who has been performing and teaching folks how to play the ukulele for the last 14 years. Having served as a volunteer music therapist in medical and hospice settings, he quickly came to understand that music is medicine and that learning to play an instrument not only sharpens the brain but helps reduce stress. It also brings joy to those who play the uke and to their audiences. Duncan has taught in a variety of Maine communities and did not let the COVID-19 epidemic stop him. He simply moved from teaching in person to an online format and now reaches students all over Maine, New Hampshire and beyond.

Nature Photography

$35

with Steve McGrath

Calendar May 13, 2025 at 7:30 pm, runs for 2 weeks

This is a live, online course.

In this Nature Photography online class, we will go over camera settings and compositions and how to get great images of Nature's best like moose, birds, seals and other subjects! We will also learn how to set up a blind to get great images, the best lenses for this type of photography and tripods to get the best stability for your images!

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.

Farmer’s Market Basket

$120

with Jessica Steele

Calendar Jun 8, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This is an in-person, classroom-based course at Mount Desert Island High School.

Here is a basket that you can take to the market to grab your fresh produce and bakery items. Everyone is welcome to join this class. If you have never weaved before I will be doing step by step directions. You will walk away with a finished basket.

This basket will have two straps that can be worn on the shoulder or carried. Multiple color options on strap. The material of the basket is flat and half round quality reed. We will also add color reed in the basket if desired from blue, purple, red, green, and brown.

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. 

To ensure adequate number of students and to gauge material requirements, registrations will close on May 20.  





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