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• Hybrid EMS Instructor-Coordinator Course

  • Start
    Sun, September 01, 2024
  •  
    12:01 AM
  • End
    Tue, March 25, 2025
  •  
    11:59 PM
  • Location
    Hybrid, Online and in-person (TBD)
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  SORRY, registration has closed.

  Hybrid EMS Instructor-Coordinator Course

  Initial IC Course Admission Criteria:

  • 3 Years field experience at any level--EMR (MFR), EMT, Specialist (AEMT) or Paramedic (This is required to become licensed as a Michigan EMS IC.)
  • Two Letters of Support from active Michigan ICs (Instructor Coordinators) or your employer in Public Service (to be emailed to dsmith10@ncmich.edu by September 1, 2024)

  Course Format: Hybrid classroom with required weekly student online activity. Real time in-person online attendance requirement as described below:

  Virtual welcome meeting and learning platform overview (recommended, but optional) via “Zoom” on September 4, 2024 at 5 pm. Information on how to join will be provided to course registrants.

  Weekly online course activity (weekly student activity is required)

  • Coursework will include an online orientation to North Central Michigan College’s Learning Management System (Brightspace) and the course syllabus during Week 1. This will give access to future weeks’ information.
  • Weekly content will include learning and lecture material, quiz/exam, discussion and interaction with peers & course instructor(s) and online assignments per course schedule. Optional weekly in-person meetings will occur on Mondays at 5pm via “Zoom.” (Day of the week may be adjusted based on student needs).

  Required "real time” sessions (online is via Zoom or Microsoft Teams)

  • November 1, 2024 - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (students will do a 7-10 minute practice presentation and evaluate peers)

  • Week of December 1 - Required MDHHS Presentation (date TBD)

  • December 13, 2024 - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (students will do a 10-15 minute practice presentation and evaluate peers)

  Student Teaching: A minimum of 30 hours of student teaching will be completed by each IC candidate during the period of December 22 - March 25, 2025. Each IC Candidate will be responsible to arrange approved teaching experiences and submit paperwork for each session taught. Teaching experience must include both MDHHS-approved EMS CE programs AND Initial EMS Education programs.
  

  Course Dates: Starts September 1, 2024  

  Course ends with student teaching experience (no later than March 25, 2025)            

  Cost: $1,510.00 (your non-refundable $50 registration fee goes toward this total)    

  Questions about the program? Contact the instructor, Dena Smith at dsmith10@ncmich.edu

  Note: Your candidacy to take the EMS IC licensing exam to become licensed as a Michigan EMS IC is contingent on the successful completion of the coursework and student teaching in the time periods listed. As with your provider license, a criminal history could negatively affect your ability to obtain an IC license in the State of Michigan.
  

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• Gentle Yoga on Monday Mornings

  • Start
    Mon, January 06, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Mon, January 27, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC's Iron Horse Cafe
  • Spaces left
    7

  Register

  
  

  Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 3-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.

  
  

  What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle

  
  

  ***This month, the Monday session is 3 weeks long***
  

  
  

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class
  

  

  Jennifer Lovely

  Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

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• Gentle Yoga on Tuesday Evenings

  • Start
    Tue, January 07, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Tue, January 28, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Borra Bldg Student Commons
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 4-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels. Please bring yoga mat and water bottle.

  
  

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class
  

  

  Jennifer Lovely

  Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

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• BLS - Basic Life Support Full Provider Course

  • When
    Tue, January 07, 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC - HESC Bldg Room 351
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  

               BLS Full Provider Course

  The AHA’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an AED. Reflects science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).

  What does the skills testing evaluate?

  • High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
  • The AHA Chain of Survival, specifically the BLS components
  • Important early use of an AED
  • Effective ventilations using a barrier device
  • Importance of teams in multirescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multirescuer CPR
  • Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants.

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.
  

  
  

  Daniel Wandrie is an Adjunct Faculty member of North Central Michigan College that has been teaching CPR for over 40 years.

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• Indoor Tai Chi in the Morning

  • Start
    Wed, January 08, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wed, February 05, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Room
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  Join us weekly for indoor Tai Chi at NCMC.

  Tai chi originated as an ancient martial art in China. Over the years, it has become more focused on health promotion and rehabilitation.  It is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing. 

  Tai Chi and chronic pain:

  Research shows that tai chi can help with chronic pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches. Tai chi is a low-impact exercise that can improve muscle strength and joint flexibility.

  Tai Chi and memory:

  Studies have shown tai chi improves memory and brain health. The Internation Institute of Tai Chi Health has merged medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to create this program. Tai Chi for Memory is especially useful for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. It is also designed to prevent these conditions.

  Caring for people with memory loss is challenging for family: the mind body program engages everyone for a quality time together. It will improve most aspects of health including balance, immunity and relaxation and can be practiced and enjoyed by anyone.

  Tai Chi and Diabetes:

  The Tai Chi for Diabetes program was developed to prevent and improve the control of diabetes. It incorporates medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to make tai chi sager, more effective and accessible.

  The program has helped many people with and without diabetes gain better health, improve balance, immunity, relation and quality of life.

  Refunds are unavailable within 48hrs of this class.

  
  

  Gretchen Stelter:  Instructor

  Gretchen Stelter is a certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor. Her certification is through the Tai Chi for Health Institute in Australia and the Dr Paul Lam, (MD) program which began in 2005 ( taichiforhealthinstitute.org ). She has been certified since 2012 and recertified every other year, to teach the classes all over the United States and abroad.

  Gretchen teaches classes to those that might be suffering from arthritis, balance issues, Parkinsons, Muscular Dystrophy and for those that want to increase their strength, coordination and over all well-being (mentally and physically).

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• Planning Your Retirement: A Four-week Series

  • Start
    Thu, January 09, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Thu, January 30, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  Planning Your Retirement 

  Steady, committed saving and investing might not be exciting, but it will give you far more ability and power over your way of life in your retirement years.  Join in this 4-week noon-time series to learn the when's, why's and how's of retiring with confidence.

  Week 1 (Jan 9): Retirement Goal Setting

  Retirement, some people dream about it, some people dread it and others wonder if it’s even possible. Most of the time all it takes is a little forethought and planning to make that retirement dream a reality. And the only way you can plan is if you know where you want to go. In this class Austin Willson, will guide you through an exploration of what retirement might mean to you, highlight common pitfalls, and discuss how what gets you to retirement isn’t the same as what gets you through retirement. This is the first in a 4-part series on the subject so snag your spot today!

  
  

  Week 2 (Jan 16): Income After the Paychecks Stop

  The most important question about retiring is how do you pay for things once you stop working? That’s exactly what this class will cover. Austin Willson, will provide an overview of how to determine what income you may need, how to create that income stream and most importantly how to not outlast your savings. This is the 2nd in a 4-part series on retirement so snag your spot today!

  
  

  Week 3 (Jan 23): Taxes in Retirement, The Other Certainty

  One thing’s for certain, taxes will still play a role in the overall picture of retirement. During this class Austin Willson will discuss three important areas of tax planning for retirement including possible sources of income, the 3 ways investments can be taxed, and some tax strategies you can implement to help ensure you’re well positioned from a tax perspective as you enter retirement. This is the 3rd in a 4-part series on retirement so snag your spot today!

  Week 4 (Jan 30): Planning for a Confident Retirement

  With the markets and economy changing all the time, you may feel less than confident about reaching your retirement goals. In this class Austin Willson will lay out some tips and strategies that can help you plan for a more confident retirement and understand how financial and physical health may be intertwined. It will also cover ways to generate dependable income that could last through your whole retirement. This will be the final class of this 4-part series

  Please note: This presentation series will not be recorded.

  
  

  Austin Willson
  

  Austin Willson is a Financial Advisor at OsborneKlein, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, with offices in Petoskey and Alpena MI. Austin got his start in the financial services industry over 3 years ago in the Detroit Metro area. After a brief stint as a writer and editorial relations executive with a financial news startup, Austin moved back to his hometown of Petoskey to join the team at OsborneKlein. Currently, Austin focuses on helping clients feel more confident, connected and in control of their financial life through financial planning and investment management.

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• Heartsaver First Aid CPR & AED

  • When
    Thu, January 09, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC - SCRC Building CCE Room 536
  • Spaces left
    7

  Register

  

           

  New Heartsaver Total courses from the American Heart Association are designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs first aid and/or CPR training and a course completion card for job, regulatory (e.g., OSHA), or other regulatory or licensing requirements. Heartsaver courses can also be taken by anyone who wants to be prepared to act in an emergency at work or at home.

  Heartsaver courses:

  • Prepare students for the most common types of first aid emergencies
  • Equip them with CPR skills for adults, children, and infants
  • Allows for flexible delivery, all with the most relevant AHA science and information

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

  
  

  Megan Mainland is an Adjunct Faculty member of North Central Michigan College and is also their AHA Training Center Coordinator, that has been teaching CPR for over 15 years. She currently monitors other instructors to assure their skills are up to date.
  

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• Gentle Yoga on Thursday Evenings

  • Start
    Thu, January 09, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Thu, January 30, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Borra Bldg Student Commons
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  
  

  Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 4-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.

  
  

  What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle

  
  

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class
  

  

  Jennifer Lovely

  Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

  Show details
• The Basics of Improv

  • Start
    Mon, January 13, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Mon, March 10, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Rm
  • Spaces left
    8
  • Registered
    7 registrants

  Register

  In partnership with

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Theatre

  
  

  Come join the fun in this popular class!!

  Improv is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned.

  This fun improv course is perfect for everyone. It will cover the basics and work up to advanced “long form “improv skills. It is for someone with zero improv experience, or for those wanting to refresh their improv fundamentals, as well as those looking to build previous improv experience.

  By the end of this course, you will have learned the fundamental tools of improv through engaging exercises and group game play designed to bolster your soft skills (agreement, active listening, being supportive, etc.) and lay the foundation that will allow you to create without self-judgment.

  The course provides a safe environment to explore your creative potential and experience the freedom and joy of improvisational play. It is open to students 16 years or older with a limit of 15 students. This class is sponsored by Little Traverse Civic Theater and is taught by Dean Tahtinen.

  What Improv can do for and to you:

  • Activates language and creativity centers in your brain
  • Helps promote brain connectivity
  • Boosts creativity
  • Reduces social anxiety
  • Reduces uncertainty intolerance
  • Boosts confidence
  • Decreases stress

  WARNING! You may:

  • Experience the freedom and joy of improvisational play
  • Bolster your soft skills
  • Improve active listening
  • Create without self-judgment.
  • Discover your creative potential
  • Make new friends

  Scholarships to cover class fees are available. To inquire, please call Cathy Degnan (231) 439-6378

  
  

  
  

  Dean Tahtinen

  In 2002 Dean was introduced to theatre as a co-leading man in play “The Best Man.” Since then, he has been onstage, backstage, and next to the stage as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and light and sound technician for 15 or more productions. He began his improv journey with the Second Sunday Improv troop that preformed for 7 years on the second Sunday of the month raising funds for non-profit organizations. As the members of Second Sunday left the area, Dean took a couple of years off before forming the Petoskey Improv Troop or PIT that performed for 2 ½ years. He has lead improv after school classes with elementary schools in Petoskey, Alanson and East Jordan. He has provided the basics of improv: "don’t say no....make everyone look better and listen", to various organizations thru staff in-services. Dean's formal training consists of an intensive workshop at Second City Improv in Chicago, and informal training includes hours of research and visiting improv troops in Chicago, Toronto, Denver, Boston, and Melbourne Australia. Dean has a love for bringing the joy and creativity of improv to adults and children.

  
  

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• Improv II

  • Start
    Wed, January 15, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wed, March 12, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Rm
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  In partnership with

  

  
  

  Improv is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned.  This fun Level 2 improv course is the perfect course for those with some improv experience or for those wanting to refresh their improv fundamentals. The course will explore “long form” improv, more complex settings and solo improv skill. If you want to take your improv skills to the next level this is the class for you.
  

  By the end of this course, you will have learned the fundamental tools of long form improv through engaging exercises and group game play designed to bolster your soft skills (agreement, active listening, being supportive, etc.) and lay the foundation that will allow you to create without self-judgment.

  A Level 2 course provides a safe environment to explore your creative potential and experience the freedom and joy of improvisational play. It is open to students 16 years or older.

  Scholarships to cover class fees are available. To inquire, please call Cathy Degnan (231) 439-6378

  
  

  
  

  Dean Tahtinen

  In 2002 Dean was introduced to theatre as a co-leading man in play “The Best Man.” Since then, he has been onstage, backstage, and next to the stage as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and light and sound technician for 15 or more productions. He began his improv journey with the Second Sunday Improv troop that preformed for 7 years on the second Sunday of the month raising funds for non-profit organizations. As the members of Second Sunday left the area, Dean took a couple of years off before forming the Petoskey Improv Troop or PIT that performed for 2 ½ years. He has lead improv after school classes with elementary schools in Petoskey, Alanson and East Jordan. He has provided the basics of improv: "don’t say no....make everyone look better and listen", to various organizations thru staff in-services.  Dean's formal training consists of an intensive workshop at Second City Improv in Chicago, and informal training includes hours of research and visiting improv troops in Chicago, Toronto, Denver, Boston, and Melbourne Australia. Dean has a love for bringing the joy and creativity of improv to adults and children.

  Show details
• BLS - Basic Life Support Full Provider Course

  • When
    Fri, January 17, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC - HESC Bldg Room 351
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  

               BLS Full Provider Course

  The AHA’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an AED. Reflects science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).

  What does the skills testing evaluate?

  • High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
  • The AHA Chain of Survival, specifically the BLS components
  • Important early use of an AED
  • Effective ventilations using a barrier device
  • Importance of teams in multirescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multirescuer CPR
  • Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants.

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.
  

  
  

  Daniel Wandrie is an Adjunct Faculty member of North Central Michigan College that has been teaching CPR for over 40 years.

  Show details
• Saturday Self-Care Workshop: What Are You Really Hungry For?

  • When
    Sat, January 18, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC - Athletic Bldg Rm #536
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  Let’s get real—this isn’t another "eat less, move more" crash course. If you’ve tried everything to lose weight and still feel stuck, this is for you. It’s time to stop treating food like the enemy and start asking yourself the bigger question: What are you truly hungry for in life?

  
  

  In this workshop, we’ll dive into what’s missing—not in your pantry, but in your life. Together, we’ll uncover what’s been holding you back, so you can start caring for yourself in ways that actually feel good (no calorie counting required). Because let’s face it—burnout, frustration, and shame aren’t on anyone’s meal plan.

  What You’ll Get Out of This:

  Self-Acceptance: Let go of the shame from “failing” at diets and discover how to embrace where you are today.

  Clarity: Identify what you’ve been craving—beyond food—and learn how to nourish your life in meaningful ways.

  Relief: Finally stop the cycle of dieting and guilt by shifting your focus to what your body and soul actually need.

  Empowerment: Feel more confident, balanced, and aligned with who you are and what you truly want.

  Why This Works:

  Because it’s not about the food. It’s about filling the spaces in your life where joy, connection, and self-care belong. You’ll stop trying to “fix” yourself and start listening to yourself.

  This is for you if you’ve done all the diets, tried all the workouts, and still feel like something’s missing. Let’s figure out what that something is and finally take care of YOU in a way that fuels your body, mind, and heart.

  ***Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event***

  
  

  Jennifer Lovely

  Certified Mastery Transformational Coach and Yoga instructor

  Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and empathy to guide through transformative processes.  She has been consulting with and advising clients on lifestyle changes and goal-focused initiatives for years and have conducted over 2,700 coaching calls. As a coach, Jennifer specializes in helping you prioritize your well-being, and uncover the steps needed to transition gracefully into the next chapter of your life. 

  
  

  Show details
• Creative Writing and Mining Michigan's Rich Literary History

  • Start
    Wed, January 22, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wed, March 05, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Borra Bldg RM 49A
  • Spaces left
    15
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

  Creative writing is an art form that allows us to express our thoughts, emotions, and ideas through the power of words. This is also a form with deep Michigan roots. Meant to evoke emotion in a reader by communicating an idea, an image, or a theme, there is a rich history in our own backyard.

  
  

  In this six-week course, we will mine this rich history for ideas, as well as utilize a scaffolded approach to move our ideas into finished pieces of writing– a story--or a poem--or a work of creative nonfiction. We will use recognizable Michigan writers as models for our work, while also investigating the processes laid out in Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. We will discuss how narrative works, what gives shape to poetry, how to find new topics for creative nonfiction, likely discovering new writing forms along our way. We will regularly return to our own work.

  This class is open to all writers at any stage of readiness, beginners and beyond. Whether you prefer to write longhand on legal pads or type on a device, momentum will be built on process and practice. Class will include writing time, guided by prompts from both Michigan writers and The Artist’s Way. Each class period will invite student demonstrations as workshop opportunities. Additional out of class writing is encouraged.

  Come to class with early drafts, or create something new based on class ideas. Either way, your writing practices will expand.

  Students should have a copy of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way for reference as well as inspiration. McLean and Eakin bookstore in Petoskey has the book in stock. We will regularly share other text examples as well.

  **Refunds are unavailable for cancellations made within 48 hours of the class**

  
  

  Glen Young is the author, most recently, of "Four Seasons of Mackinac Island," in addition to more than 500 essays on books and reading. He is Associate Editor of Walloon Writers Review, as well as a co-director of Top of the Mitt Writing Project. His poetry and essays have appeared in regional and national publications. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Marygrove College. He is a National Writing Project fellow, and has earned grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as the IREX/Fulbright International Teacher Exchange Program. He is a ski instructor and a kayak guide, and divides his time between Petoskey and Mackinac Island.

  Show details
• The World of Raku

  • Start
    Wed, January 22, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wed, April 02, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Borra Learning Center Bldg Room 18A
  • Spaces left
    0
  • Registered
    15 registrants

  Join waitlist

  
  

  In Japanese, the symbol for Raku 楽 translates to fun, delightful or pleasure. A seal engraved with this word/symbol was marked on the early Raku pieces. It was the title and seal used by 15 generations of potters.

  
  

  Raku is often considered as a singular process when, in fact, it encompasses a number of various techniques. The common denominator is that a bisque fired clay work is fired in a gas kiln and then removed with tongs from the kiln while glowing hot.

  
  

  In this six- session hands-on class (held every two weeks) we will explore variations of Raku including ferric chloride spray, alcohol reduction, naked Raku, and Obvara submersion reduction in addition to the use traditional Raku glazes. Limited extra studio time will also be available.

  
  

  Each attendee will be required to bring their own bisque fired pieces to experiment with during the course of the class.  Also required will be attendees own personal safety equipment (safety glasses and N95 mask).  Provided for the class will be all glazes and firing supplies.

  
  

  If you have questions please contact instructor Mike Banyai at (231) 330-0910 or email mikebanyai@gmail.com.

  
  

  ***Refunds are unavailable for cancellations made within 48 hours of the class***

  
  

  Michael Banyai has been involved with various aspects of ceramics for more than 20 years. Recently he agreed to help a small group do a one day Raku event. This moved from his house to the college where there are terriffic resources for all aspects of ceramics. The current class is a realization there are so many aspects of the concepts of Raku that one day would hardly scratch the surface of the idea of Raku. Making pots and artistic ceramics is a drawn out process which starts with the soft clay creation being first dried and bisque fired to harden the object after which various glazes or surface treatments are applied and then a refire in one of many different kiln enviroments. Raku kilns in general are lower temp fast fired usually. The plan is that folks will bring to the classes bisque fired work and that the glaze and fired results will be a shared experiance for all the class to observe and learn. Every effort to help the potters create bisque fired ware will be done including studio use during non class time. 
  

  
  

  Show details
• Luncheon Lecture - Election Analysis

  • When
    Fri, January 24, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Center
  • Spaces left
    74

  Register

  

  Scott LaDeur, Ph.D., professor of political science at North Central Michigan College, will analyze the results of the November 5 general election.  Professor LaDeur will take a deep dive into the numbers locally and statewide to explain how it all happened.

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

  
  

  Scott LaDeur, Ph.D.

  Show details
• MSCTC Corrections Academy Winter 2025

  • Start
    Mon, February 03, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Fri, February 28, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    20 sessions
  • Location
    Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office, 1000 Grant St., Charlevoix, MI 49720
  • Spaces left
    23

  Register

  Please note the location for classes has changed to the  Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office, 1000 Grant St., Charlevoix, MI 49720

  Officers are in high demand.

  It's a great time to begin a new career!

  
  

  Classes begin Monday, Feb. 3rd, 2025
  Registration deadline Thursday, Jan. 30th, 2025

  The Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) approved one hundred sixty hour (160) Local Corrections Officer Academy for correctional personnel supervising inmates in county jails. The Academy is required within one year of hire or for new hires into Sheriffs Office Correctional facilities as a Local Corrections Officer. The Academy is being offered by North Central Michigan College, an approved educational partner. The Academies are conducted by instructors who are certified by the MSCTC.

  Topics covered:

  Booking and Intake
  Correctional Law
  Cultural Diversity
  Custody and Security
  Defensive Tactics
  Ethics
  Fire Safety
  First Aid/CPR/AED
  Interpersonal Communications
  Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
  Prisoner Mental Health, Suicide and Behavior Awareness
  Professionalism
  Report Writing
  Stress Management
  (Comprehensive) Final Examination

  Special note: Students will need to bring a laptop to the class. If one is not available, please contact Donna Cannon at dcannon1@ncmich.edu to secure one for the student to use.

  Where: Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office, 1000 Grant St., Charlevoix, MI 49720

  Graduation: February 28, 2025 (same location as classes)
  Academy Tuition: $ 1,500.00*
  *This program is eligible for Michigan Works! funding and does not require completion of FAFSA. Reach out to your local agency for assistance. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Rob at rscholey@ncmich.edu

  Questions? Contact:
  
  ​​Robert Scholey
  Corrections Academy Director, Adjunct Criminal Justice Professor
  North Central Michigan College
  1515 Howard St.
  Petoskey, MI 49770
  Phone: 888-298-6605
  rscholey@ncmich.edu
  

  Show details
• Briny Depths: The Lakes Salt Industry and Shipwrecks with Ric Mixter

  • When
    Wed, February 05, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  
  

  
  

  The Adella Shores

  
  

  The two recent shipwreck discoveries of the Adella Shores and the Muir in the Great Lakes reminds of the importance of Great Lakes salt production to the world in the 19th and 20th centuries. Piping up from a 400 million year old ocean deep beneath the Earth, salt manufacturers found high quality minerals in New York and Michigan. Over 70 ships were lost carrying salt to markets like Chicago and Superior, Wisconsin. Ric explores how the salt was discovered and dives several wrecks including the Muir,  Adella Shores, Herman Hettler and Miztec and gives insight into how fortunes were made and lost.

  
  

  Workers packing salt in St. Claire, Michigan

  
  

  
  

  Ric Mixter Bio 

  With dozens of appearances in two countries and three states last year, Ric Mixter is certainly one of the busiest maritime speakers, rumored to be the most requested historian on the Great Lakes.  Visiting museums, libraries, schools and his live music concert “STORM”, thousands of audience members get a new appreciation for our unique inland-sea history through his spellbinding lectures. 

  Millions of television viewers recognize Ric Mixter as a shipwreck researcher, diving over 100 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the Edmund Fitzgerald. He has produced over 30 programs for PBS and the Outdoor Channel, and appeared as a shipwreck expert on the History and Discovery Channels.   He leads the pack when it comes to sharing our unique underwater resources with the general public, and thousands of dive show patrons and countless school kids know him as the energetic story teller who uses video like no other presenter can.  His stories appear in books, magazines and in radio and TV news programs.  Mixter’s YouTube videos have over a million views, covering shipwrecks in four of the Great Lakes and adventures in several foreign lands.

  Ric served as SCUBA cameraman on underwater expeditions to the Great Lakes largest shipwrecks, the Edmund Fitzgerald and Carl D. Bradley.  He has interviewed dozens of shipwreck survivors over the past 15 years, including two from the 1913 Storm, two from the 1940 Armistice Day Storm and survivors from the largest shipwrecks in lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie.  Today he runs his own production company, Airworthy Productions.   He’s been Emmy nominated and has taken several awards including the Addy, Aurora, Michigan Association of Broadcasters Best Use of Medium, AP, UPI and was the 2007 Vescio award winner for a video on mental health advocacy.  With over 20 years of stories on historical preservation, Ric was awarded the 2009 Award for Historic Interpretation by the Association for Great Lakes Maritime Historians.  In 2011 he was elected to their board of directors.  Ric is also on the board of directors for the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, elected to serve as their president starting in January of 2016.  Ric has hosted the largest dive show in Ontario and also MC’d the midwest’s largest show in Chicago.  He is a frequent speaker at Ghost Ships in Milwaukee and Michigan’s largest show “Great Lakes Shipwrecks”.

  Ric is also a pilot- flying not only single engine planes, but also has flight time in several military jets.  These include the US Air Force’s Thunderbird F-16 Falcon, and over 100 hours of camera work in the B-52 Stratofortress.  He’s flown in the Goodyear Blimp and countless biplanes and aerobatic aircraft and has also jumped several times from over 12,000 feet as a skydiver.  Ric also adept to filming in helicopters, from flying over the jungles of Honduras with the Army, to being lowered in a rescue basket into Lake Huron by the Coast Guard. 

  Historical Documentaries:

  Sunken Treasure  2012

  Offshore Outposts 2011

  Cement Boat  2009

  Bombs Away  2008

  Cutter Rescues  2006

  Final Run: Storms of the Century  2005

  Safe Ashore: The 1940 Armistice Day Storm  2004

  Great Lakes In Depth  (26 episodes on PBS and the Outdoor Channel) 2000-2001

  Deep Six: Titanics of the Great Lakes  1998

  The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations  1997

  Expedition ’94 to the Edmund Fitzgerald  1995

  Best Adventure Yet 1993

  Books & Periodicals

  “The Wheelsmen” 300 page book reprinted 2015

  “Nordmeer” Michigan History Magazine 2015

  “McDougal’s Dream” Michigan History Magazine 2013

  “Bombs Away” Winter 2011

  “Shipwrecks of Saginaw Bay” Michigan History Magazine July 2014

  “Voices of the Lakes” article in book 1993

  
  

  Show details
• Luncheon Lecture - Maestro!

  • When
    Fri, February 07, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Center
  • Spaces left
    100

  Register

  

  For something completely different in the middle of winter, Tom Riccobono, instructor of low brass at the Interlochen Arts Academy, will teach us how to make beautiful music by just waving our arms.  He will bring a baton and give us a brief tutorial in conducting to help us understand how Leonard Bernstein, Toscanini, George Szell and other great conductors turned a written score into classic performances of the world’s greatest music. Tom is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and holds a master’s degree from Penn State University.  As a performer, he has appeared with the Savannah Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchestra in Salzau, Germany, and Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Italy.

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

  
  Tom Riccobono
  

  Show details
• The History of Petoskey's Winter Carnival

  • When
    Wed, February 12, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online Zoom presentation

  Register

  
  

  
  

  One of the oldest traditions in Petoskey is the Winter Carnival.  In the 1930s, many towns held winter carnivals, but the Michigan Winter Carnival was only held in Petoskey.

  
  

  The week-long mid-winter celebration featured pagentry, fashion shows, snow sports and competitions, skating shows and and mammoth ice thrones built by sculptor Stanley Kellogg.  The Petoskey Winter Carnival Grand Ball was hosted by the governor of Michigan.

  
  

  Join Little Traverse Historical Museum Executive Director, Jane Garver, as she travels in time through a wealth of entertaining photographs of Petoskey's Winter Carnivals of the past. 

  Show details
• How To Play Piano by Ear

  • When
    Sat, February 15, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  How To Play Piano by Ear

  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.

  
  

  Topics include:​

  • How to find the starting note​​​​
  • How to determine when chords change
  • How to predict the chord progression​​
  • How chords help you find the correct melody
  • How the melody helps you find the correct chords​
  • How to learn songs from recordings
  • How to transpose​​​​​
  • The Universal Key Signature
  • How to use the Circle of Fifths​​​
  • How to recognize the most common chord patterns

  
  Craig Coffman
  Craig 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.

  Show details
• Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People

  • When
    Mon, February 17, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  Instant Piano

  In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Learn to play piano the way professionals do-using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture demonstration.

  
  Craig Coffman
  Craig 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.

  Show details
• Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People

  • When
    Tue, February 18, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture/demonstration. For ages 13+

  
  

  
  Craig Coffman
  

  Craig 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.

  Show details
• Luncheon Lecture - Petoskey Robotics

  • When
    Fri, February 21, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Center
  • Spaces left
    100

  Register

  

  The extraordinary robotics program at the Public Schools of Petoskey seeks to inspire elementary, middle and high school students in science, technology, engineering and leadership. The Petoskey Paladins are the high school competition component of the program. The Petoskey high school and middle school coaches will be joined by participating students to explain the many ways the program teaches not only technical skills, but also creativity, communication, leadership, budgeting, project planning, and teamwork.

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

  
  

  Petoskey Paladins

  Show details
• Indoor Tai Chi in the Morning

  • Start
    Wed, February 26, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wed, March 26, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Room
  • Spaces left
    20

  Register

  
  

  Join us weekly for indoor Tai Chi at NCMC.

  Tai chi originated as an ancient martial art in China. Over the years, it has become more focused on health promotion and rehabilitation.  It is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing. 

  Tai Chi and chronic pain:

  Research shows that tai chi can help with chronic pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches. Tai chi is a low-impact exercise that can improve muscle strength and joint flexibility.

  Tai Chi and memory:

  Studies have shown tai chi improves memory and brain health. The Internation Institute of Tai Chi Health has merged medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to create this program. Tai Chi for Memory is especially useful for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. It is also designed to prevent these conditions.

  Caring for people with memory loss is challenging for family: the mind body program engages everyone for a quality time together. It will improve most aspects of health including balance, immunity and relaxation and can be practiced and enjoyed by anyone.

  Tai Chi and Diabetes:

  The Tai Chi for Diabetes program was developed to prevent and improve the control of diabetes. It incorporates medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to make tai chi sager, more effective and accessible.

  The program has helped many people with and without diabetes gain better health, improve balance, immunity, relation and quality of life.

  Refunds are unavailable within 48hrs of this class.

  
  

  Gretchen Stelter:  Instructor

  Gretchen Stelter is a certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor. Her certification is through the Tai Chi for Health Institute in Australia and the Dr Paul Lam, (MD) program which began in 2005 ( taichiforhealthinstitute.org ). She has been certified since 2012 and recertified every other year, to teach the classes all over the United States and abroad.

  Gretchen teaches classes to those that might be suffering from arthritis, balance issues, Parkinsons, Muscular Dystrophy and for those that want to increase their strength, coordination and over all well-being (mentally and physically).

  Show details
• Page to Stage: Shakespeare’s Royalty, Lovers and Fools

  • Start
    Mon, March 03, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Mon, April 07, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Borra Learning Bldg Room#122
  • Spaces left
    16
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  

  Page to Stage: Shakespeare’s Royalty, Lovers and Fools

  
  

  Shakespeare’s plays were written to be performed.  In this six-week class we will act up and act out in Shakespeare’s language. Open to all experience levels and abilities.  You need not be a Shakespearean scholar or a Tony award winning actor to join us!

  Students will discover tricks and techniques to open and deepen their understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s humorous, dastardly and poignant characters and their stories.

  Themes such as power, revenge, love, jealousy, ambition and betrayal will be addressed in our look at select scenes from both tragedies and comedies.

  This class is for age levels 18 years and up

  Refunds are unavailable for cancellations made within 48 hours of the class
  

  
  

  Karen Nemecek is a retired public school teacher who has taught a range of French and English language arts classes to students from ages 5 to 75. High school curricula included the study of Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of Shrew, Richard III, and Hamlet. She also created Drama and Shakespeare classes where students focused on performance of the text. An amateur thespian and lifetime member of Little Traverse Civic Theatre, she has appeared in a number of roles onstage (from a Lizard in Seascape to a dancing Grandmama in Gigi), worked backstage and front-of-house crews, co-directed Much Ado About Nothing, and directed The Lion in Winter.

  
  

  Show details
• Luncheon Lecture - Fisheries Research

  • When
    Fri, March 14, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Center
  • Spaces left
    100

  Register

  

  Serena Lake of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians will give an overview of the Tribe’s Great Lakes Fisheries Program to preserve and wisely use the native fish populations of northern Lakes Michigan and Huron. The program focuses primarily on Little Traverse Bay and Sturgeon Bay, as well as some Lake Huron tributaries. Work includes studying early life-history traits of lake whitefish, collecting and rearing whitefish and lake sturgeon gametes at the tribe’s own hatcheries for stocking out, and conducting walleye and lake trout status surveys.

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

  
  Serena Lake

  Show details
• Indoor Tai Chi in the Morning

  • Start
    Wed, April 02, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wed, April 30, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Room (Apr. 30 class location TBD)
  • Spaces left
    20

  Register

  
  

  Join us weekly for indoor Tai Chi at NCMC.

  Tai chi originated as an ancient martial art in China. Over the years, it has become more focused on health promotion and rehabilitation.  It is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing. 

  Tai Chi and chronic pain:

  Research shows that tai chi can help with chronic pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches. Tai chi is a low-impact exercise that can improve muscle strength and joint flexibility.

  Tai Chi and memory:

  Studies have shown tai chi improves memory and brain health. The Internation Institute of Tai Chi Health has merged medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to create this program. Tai Chi for Memory is especially useful for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. It is also designed to prevent these conditions.

  Caring for people with memory loss is challenging for family: the mind body program engages everyone for a quality time together. It will improve most aspects of health including balance, immunity and relaxation and can be practiced and enjoyed by anyone.

  Tai Chi and Diabetes:

  The Tai Chi for Diabetes program was developed to prevent and improve the control of diabetes. It incorporates medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to make tai chi sager, more effective and accessible.

  The program has helped many people with and without diabetes gain better health, improve balance, immunity, relation and quality of life.

  Refunds are unavailable within 48hrs of this class.

  
  

  Gretchen Stelter:  Instructor

  Gretchen Stelter is a certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor. Her certification is through the Tai Chi for Health Institute in Australia and the Dr Paul Lam, (MD) program which began in 2005 ( taichiforhealthinstitute.org ). She has been certified since 2012 and recertified every other year, to teach the classes all over the United States and abroad.

  Gretchen teaches classes to those that might be suffering from arthritis, balance issues, Parkinsons, Muscular Dystrophy and for those that want to increase their strength, coordination and over all well-being (mentally and physically).

  Show details
• Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People

  • When
    Mon, April 21, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  Instant Piano

  In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Learn to play piano the way professionals do-using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture demonstration.

  
  Craig Coffman
  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.   

  Show details
• Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People

  • When
    Tue, April 22, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture/demonstration. For ages 13+

  
  

  
  Craig Coffman
  

  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.   

  Show details
• Luncheon Lecture - Images of Vietnam Then and Now

  • When
    Fri, May 02, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    NCMC Library Conference Center
  • Spaces left
    100

  Register

  

  America’s war in Vietnam officially ended in April of 1975 at a cost of 58,000 American lives and as many as three million Vietnamese dead. Vietnam is a vastly different nation today. Charlie MacInnis, who spent 14 months with the U.S. Army’s 25th Division in Cu Chi, South Vietnam, in 1969 and 1970 will compare images he collected then with his new images and impressions from a dramatically changed country today. Military veterans of the Vietnam war will be admitted free to this program.

  Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

  
  Charlie MacInnis in Vietnam
  

  Show details
• How To Play Piano by Ear

  • When
    Sat, May 10, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  How To Play Piano by Ear

  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.

  
  

  Topics include:​

  • How to find the starting note​​​​
  • How to determine when chords change
  • How to predict the chord progression​​
  • How chords help you find the correct melody
  • How the melody helps you find the correct chords​
  • How to learn songs from recordings
  • How to transpose​​​​​
  • The Universal Key Signature
  • How to use the Circle of Fifths​​​
  • How to recognize the most common chord patterns

  
  Craig Coffman
  Craig 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.

  Show details