Course Listing - by Instructor
| Name | Biography |
|---|---|
| Chess4Life |
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| Wendy Alexander | |
| Yelena Balashova |  I was raised in Estonia in a Russian family. I earned by Masters Degree in Teaching Education from Estonia and Russia. Our family moved to the United States in 1999. Before our move, I was the principal of a Daycare-Kindergarten school for 18 years, I have worked in the ELL program for the Sioux Falls School District for 4 years. I have taught Russian language through the Ukranian Church, the Philadephia Language Center and through private lessons. I believe in Community Education because it is an affordable way for students to expand their knowledge without the cost of college. The knowledge of languages helps to understand cultures, meet new friends with the same interests, and make a connection to different countries. |
| Tara Barney |  Tara Barney grew up in rural Iowa and South Dakota. She attended Southeast Technical College in 1990 and earned an Associate's Degree in Graphic Arts and Printing. Later, she furthered her education in Art and Humanities at Colorado State University. Since 2002, she has sold her fine arts, crafts and children's books under the Red Door Creations brand! You can see her work at Rehfeld's Art and Framing, The Old Courthouse Museum Gift Shop, and the South Dakota Arts Museum Gift Shop. In 2023 she was a featured artist in Empire Magazine and Shoutout Colorado! Tara was inspired to write and illustrate her children's book, "Country Day Adventures" when she visited a historic farm house where she lived as a child. The book is based on true events from her childhood and has an activity on every other page. Tara is a lifelong learner who enjoys attending art workshops and classes! She lives in Sioux Falls, SD with her husband, son, and dogs. |
| Nadia Bijaoui |
Dr. Nadia Judith Bijaoui, Medical Board of California Certified Research Psychoanalyst. |
| Rich Brubakken |
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| 605 Magic Art Bus | |
| Lisa and Allen Compton |
Allen & Lisa Compton, co-founders of Bound to Journal, focus on what's possible, the steps - even the smallest ones-that each of us can make toward the vision we hold for our lives. An extra dose of curiosity, creativity, and humor always helps. Their "not so ordinary" journals and journaling techniques stir ideas for even reluctant writers. The amazing benefits surrounding wellness through journaling and essential oils are the bonuses! In the meantime, the classes are about learning, experimenting, and enjoying the journey. When they're not making journals, you'll find these two in nature or on a road trip enjoying the fresh air, journal and photo-worthy adventures, and modeling their belief in getting outdoors to find out what's inside. Lisa and Allen have used journaling in their work and personal lives for over two decades. Lisa has been teaching visual arts and book structures to all ages for over 20 years, especially through a literacy format for artists and educators at the graduate level. For the last five years, they have woven Young Living essential oils and aromatherapy into their journaling courses to support memory, recall, focus, and emotional balance. |
| Hector Curriel |
Born in Lima, Peru, he moved to the United States in 2002 and enrolled at the Art Instruction Schools in Minneapolis, MN. In 2005, he moved to Sioux Falls, SD to work as a freelance artist, initially serving as a political cartoonist for different newspapers around the States. Hector's cartoons have been published in different news media such as PRI(Public Radio International), Buzz Feed News, Yahoo News, The Onion News, etc. In 2014, one of his cartoons was selected for the France 24 News Channel as part of its broadcast about how cartoonists around the world portrayed the crisis in Ukraine! Hector has been recognized with numerous awards. He obtained the 2nd Place for the 2009 Charlez Schulz Cartoon Competition, a Ist Place for the 2011 Professional Award at the Art Instruction Schools, and the 2013 Midwest Book Award Winner as an book illustrator! Additionally, his cartoons have been featured in various exhibits at colleges and libraries such as the California State Library in 2016, Augustana University in Sioux Falls in 2012, and the Main Library in Sioux Falls in 2009 among others. He is also a member of the National Cartoonists Society and member of the Artists in Residence Program for the South Dakota Art Council. |
| Rachel DeBoer |
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| Melanie Erickson |
Melanie Erickson has been known as the helpful fixer, teacher, creator - as owner of the Bead Co in downtown Sioux Falls from 2000 to 2019- while collaborating as a Community Education Instructor for most of those years. Melanie is grateful to continue sharing decades of beading experience, jewelry design, and hands on experience teaching beading and jewelry technique classes, custom orders and repairs, and parties locally; as she starts new life chapters within Community Ed helping organize fellow instructors' passions. Nature fires up her soul and jewelry creations and she loves to grab the kayak and head to the lake for peaceful inspiration. |
| Carlita Haak-Cran |  Carlita Haak-Cran is an educator, librarian, and artist. Born and raised in Sioux Falls, she remembers several summers as a kid spent with a tin full of bracelet thread and a cardboard loom always holding a bracelet being made. After she graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, she came back to Sioux Falls and started working at a local after-school program. She's worked with elementary school students for the last ten years and taught hundreds of kids how to make friendship bracelets during the summer. Carlita has also taught activities about science, art, technology, engineering, and more to kids at several different elementary schools. Recently, she was selected to paint a storm drain inlet for the city's Downtown Storm Inlet Art Project and was interviewed by the Argus Leader about her design! When she's not teaching or working at the library, Carlita spends most of her days reading, hanging out with her wife and dog, and doing arts and crafts all over the place! |
| Ahva Halma |
When I was young I did yoga with my mother on the beach, then I did yoga stretching before and after my dance performances for many years. I incorporated yoga with my dance students to warm them up and cool them down. Finally, I took training and achieved all the levels of YogaFit to become certified. Yoga has always been a lasting and enduring part of my life. Yoga gives me joy and peace. I hope to share this deep and abiding satisfaction with all my students. |
| Joseph Herreman |   |
| Elizabeth Hertz | |
| Dale Hill |
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| Missy John |
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| Lonnette Kelley |
Published poet, author, and proprietor of 221 Melsted Place Bed and Breakfast Inn, Chef Lonnette Kelley will share stories from her victorian themed bed and breakfast and the experience and tips she has learned over the years ... from tea parties to Victorian dinners and brushes with dignitaries. Join your friends and come for an interesting delectable evening. She loves sharing her Victorian all-season spa, torchlight croquet, evening bonfires, pumpkin carriage rides, fresh garden produce, berry picking, bird watching, star gazing, special event receptions, and small weddings. Lonette opened her Bed & Breakfast 30 years ago since has published her custom cookbook titled My Signature Dish. Meet Lonnette: https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2020/08/12/someone-you-should-know-woman-writes-letters-to-bring-people-comfort-during-pandemic/ |
| Skyler Kidd |
My inspiration derives from the environment around me. Living in South Dakota my whole life has opened my eyes to the vast amount of natural resources just below my feet. Integrating the Earth with my own work truly gives me a better respect for my surroundings. My job as a ceramist is to create simple yet elegant forms that speak about functionality. A goal of mine is to dig deeper into the realm of nature and extraction of clay bodies to gain a better appreciation for my artwork. Furthermore, I’m excited to begin working with the chemistry aspect of ceramics by creating different, visually appealing glazes and slips, which will characterize my work. In the fall of 2014, Kidd enrolled at the University of South Dakota, majoring in art education. In the span of four years at the university, Kidd completely changed his techniques as a potter by incorporating wood and salt firing methods into his work, rather than basic electric firings. These alternate firings involved tremendous amount of team work, strategy, patience, and knowledge, which in turn affect each ceramic vessel.
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| Mark Koterwski |
Mark Koterwski graduated from Gallaudet University in 1989. Mark has worked for Communication Service for the Deaf for almost 25 years as a Community Support Specialist. Mark has also worked in following areas: Community Support, Interpreting Mentor Program, Employment Services, American Sign Language Instructor, Advocacy, and Communication Assistance. Mark has worked with deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people with communication barriers for over 30 years in the states of Maryland, Washington D.C., Illinois, California, and South Dakota. |
| Jim Krekelberg DSED NMRA |  Jim Krekelberg has worked in accounting for 40+ years and recently retired from the Good Samaritan Society after 30 years. Married with two grown children and three grandkids. Jim has been involved with model railroading for the past 15 years when he joined the Dakota Southeastern Division, DSED, model railroad club after attending a similar ComEd class. He has held officer positions at both the local and region level. Jim has an N-scale model railroad at his home that has about 600 ft of track. He also has an N-scale traveling layout that goes to shows and events for kids to operate. |
| Eliza Leloux | |
| Aleta Lindell |  Aleta (Jaspers) Lindell has a passion for helping people be their personal best. Her upbringing near Eden, SD, years as a teacher after graduating from the University of South Dakota, time as a nanny on the east coast, and study of Executive Leadership gave her experiences that lead her to the field of etiquette. She is in her 17th year inspiring individuals in the world of leadership and social graces through Miss Jaspers' House in Sioux Falls, SD. Known for teaching fine dining classes, you will find Lindell helping youth touch up their manners, guiding high school students for formal events, and preparing adults to advance in the workplace. She is supported by grants to teach classes in area schools, offers seminars for various businesses and leadership academies, and volunteers with the elderly and Ronald McDonald House Charities. While Lindell spends much of her time being a support to others, she is never far from her own two daughters. Aleta is grateful for her husband Mark, who encourages her to be who God made her to be. |
| Valerie Loudenback |  Miss Valerie, a girl from Ohio, followed a tumbleweed across the prairie and it brought her to Sioux Falls which she has called home since 2002 with her husband Kurt and three grown children: Daniel, Andrea, and Grant. Miss Valerie began teaching Kindermusik in 2004 and it is "the best job I ever had" Her own children were Kindermusik kids and she cherished that time with them as a parent. She witnessed the positive impact Kindermusik had on her children developmentally, socially, and musically and now she has the privilege to provide these amazing benefits to her Kindermusik families. You can often find her singing or whistling a Kindermusik tune because music always makes things happier! She looks forward to sharing the love of music with you and your beautiful children! |
| Jay Manning NMRA |  Jay Manning has been deeply involved in modular model railroading for over 30 years working in both HO scale and N scale. He has been recognized by the National Model Railroad Association as a Master Scenery Builder. He is experienced in scenery construction from the flat plains of South Dakota to the mountains of the East Coast and South Dakota. He has taught classes and seminars at conventions and club shows for many years. One of his most popular classes "Mountain Making for Children" is a hands-on class for children where they build a mountain scene in about half an hour with their parents as observers-scenery building is great way to get family involvement in model railroading. |
| Steve McFarland |  I have been playing guitar and bass professionally in Sioux Falls over the past 30 years! I also perform throughout the area and am happy to share my knowledge and love of music with students at two locations. With a B.A. from SDSU and a M.A. from Augustana, both in education, I love to motivate & reach students of all ages! I teach students ages 6 through adults, beginners and experienced on acoustic, bass and electric guitar, ukulele and banjo. Recently I was inducted into the South Dakota and Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! |
| MaryGail Monahan | |
| Lisa Myhre |  Lisa brings her joy and passion for teaching and a lifelong experience in dance and the arts to the community! She has a Theater degree from Gustavus Adolphus College with an additional focus on choreography and dance. Lisa is a certified ballroom dance instructor and has been teaching ballroom, Latin, country, and swing dance since 2000 when she began training and teaching with Arthur Murray Minneapolis. Locally she has taught at DANCE Ballroom & Studio and through Community Education. Lisa is currently a project manager and community ArtReach director for BronzeAge Art Casting in Sioux Falls, SD! She started with the foundry at it's inception in 2007 and has worked in most aspects of the lost-wax casting process from mold making to molten metal. |
| Kristi Nimick | 
I first discovered working with glass when I was in high school and have loved it ever since. I enjoy working with all kinds of glass and am always playing with a new project. It's always exciting to learn how to make new glass designs and sharing them with friends. My inspiration is gathered from my family, friends, and everything around me. |
| Archery Outfitters |  |
| Pauliina Parris |  I am a certified Tea Sommelier, world traveler and East Asia specialist who spent almost a decade living in Korea and China. I love pure, traditionally crafted single origin tea, which to me is like travel in a cup – either to a distant land, or deeper within. As a recent transplant to South Dakota, I am excited to launch my new business – Shall We Tea – and offer tea education, tea tastings and tea meditation to a growing community of tea lovers in Sioux Falls! |
| Anna Perry |
Anna Perry is licensed clinical social worker. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in philosophy from North Park University and a Masters in Social Work from Saint Louis University. She currently works as a therapist in private practice at her company Gentle Wellness Strategies. She is licensed to practice independently in the states of South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Florida and Virginia. She is a registered yoga teacher. She is also a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher. She was trained in mindfulness at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University School of Professional Studies. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and certified with the National Yoga Alliance. Co-Instructor: JD Walther is a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher, and he is also a certified Mindfulness teacher of the Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) which is primarily taught in the United Kingdom (UK). His Mindfulness training was primarily through the University of Aberdeen in Scotland - Master of Science: Studies in Mindfulness Program and with the Mindfulness Association in the UK. He trained to teach the MBSR at the Brown University School of Professional Studies. He has also has received teacher training at the UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center (MARC). He has earned a Postgraduate Diplomat from the University of Aberdeen - Master of Science (MSc) Studies in Mindfulness. He is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum - Houston/Gulf Coast, a member of the Adaptive Leadership Network and International Mindfulness Teacher Association. |
| William Perry |
Bill has been serving clients as a Financial Advisor since 2004. He believes the best financial advice comes from a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ needs. He thoroughly enjoys working with people from all stages of life. When meeting with individuals and families, Bill finds it very fulfilling to guide them toward forming good financial habits and building a strong foundation for the future. However, many of Bill’s clients are preparing for or already living in retirement. He helps them utilize and manage their funds appropriately. This has been an appreciated segment of his business, bringing his clients great peace of mind. Bill has been teaching classes on preparing for Retirement through Community Education since 2015. He is also a Level Two archery instructor and enjoys volunteering his time teaching archery to individuals through the adaptive sports program. He is actively involved as a leader at his church. Bill’s wife, Anna, is the owner of Gentle Wellness Strategies, LLC and together they have two daughters participating in the Spanish immersion program in the Sioux Falls School District. He is an avid reader, enjoying camping, hiking and cooking over an open flame. |
| Stephanie Peterson |
Stephanie is a graduate of Rapid City Stevens High School and Augustana University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She has eight years of political experience in Washington, DC where she worked on Capitol Hill for former Senator Tom Daschle. Moving home to South Dakota in 2014 with her husband and two teenage sons has allowed Stephanie to reconnect with her roots and her passions. Last year, she founded Fruit of the Coop, LLC, a wholesale egg business, on their farm near the Big Sioux River and Brandon, South Dakota. In addition to selling eggs from her own flock of heritage chickens, she sources eggs from other small flocks within the Sioux Empire. All the chickens are pasture-raised on natural grains and forage, which gives the yolks of their eggs a deep golden color and strong shells. You can find her eggs at Cherry Rock Farm and Glory Garden (a local CSA) and served at Josiah's, Breadico and Morrie's Steakhouse. Stephanie believes in bringing local food to Sioux Falls area establishments and helping to revitalize small and mid-level agriculture in rural economies and communities. She also serves on the board for Dakota Rural Action and is active in DRA's local chapter, Homegrown Sioux Empire. |
| Elena Popova | |
| Josh Reinfeld |
Josh is a licensed mental health therapist in Sioux Falls. Josh is a graduate of the University of South Dakota. Josh is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Josh has been a certified laughter yoga facilitator since 2019 and has since been using laughter as a tool in his therapy practice. Josh lives with his wife, daughter, and two dogs in Sioux Falls. |
| Community Relations | |
| Cathy Schneider |  I am a married mother of three grown children and grandmother of three darling girls. I've been playing mahjong for 23 years. I have been in Sioux Falls for 28 years, but my love of games began as a farm girl in Hecla, SD, in the northeast corner of the state. My father's theory was if we were home playing games we wouldn't be running around getting into trouble! His plan didn't always work, but I am thankful for my family and my family of friends that I have met playing mah jongg! |
| Natalie Sorenson |  It's time to run with scissors! Sioux Falls Community Ed is the best place to float your boat and fill your creative cup! There are so many ways to design. If you love color, texture, and enjoy the medium and the tools, you will likely blossom as you build your art! As a Jewelry Designer, Fashion Design graduate, Digital Artist, and the past ACE Knitting Lady, my focus may not be clear... I love to create, and I want you to love it too! JOE'S Garage is my studio where I have been creating JoeBobLeigh Jewelry since 2006, and have taught metals classes since 2012. Most of my classes involve torch work, like silver soldering, torch fired PMC (Precious Metal Clay), and enameling. During the colder months I also teach Brain to Brush beginning Painting, Circuit Sewing, and Lovikka Knitted Mittens. New this summer will be two Youth Classes: Bradlea Paper Dolls, and Kids Metals Camp. And finally, a personal interest in unconventional travel prompted me to teach an Airbnb Curiosity Class. -I just can't keep it in! I have lived in Sioux Falls since 1990 with my husband, where we raised our 3 daughters. Running with scissors is a metaphor for fearlessly creating! |
| Jamie Sterk |  My name is Jamie Sterk. I am a business owner, mom of 5, foster mom, dog mom, breast cancer survivor, domestic abuse survivor and a grateful recovering alcoholic of over 11 years. Through my journey in recovery I envisioned and created Wounded Healer Recovery. I provide and teach the alternative spiritual tools of Reiki and yoga to those in recovery and those affected by recovery. The introduction of Reiki and yoga in my life moved me from living in sobriety to living a life in recovery. It is my passion and purpose to share what I have been so freely given to others to light the path for those struggling souls so that they may find the beauty in a life of recovery. |
| Fee - Supplies | |
| Josh Sweets | Josh and Maggie Sweets own, operate, feature professional photo shoots, and instruct classes West Sioux Studios. Our photography studio is a little bit different than the average studio in that it is completely open to the public by appointment! We currently have two fully stocked professional studios with lighting, props, backdrops, and seating for local hobbyists, amateurs, or professional photographers to book an hour at a time, or to join us as a member and receive open access to the space. |
| Dawn Szymik |  Hello, my name is Dawn Szymik. I have been teaching Zumba since 2009. Zumba is an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party!! Since I was introduced to Zumba I knew this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I have always had a passion for dance and fitness. I used to be 260 pounds, and in the journey of losing weight I knew it was my mission to help inspire others! Zumba has changed my life because it has given me back happiness, a purpose, and a mission to help others through what ever journey they are on! I stage my classes in a club style environment to create a comfortable, non-intimidating, party like atmosphere. If you have never taken a Zumba class, please come try it with me! We love to laugh, shake, sweat, dance, and most importantly have FUN!!!! |
| Maria Travers |
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| Nels Truelson |
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| Levi Tvedt | |
| Troy Vink |
Sioux Falls Taekwondo in Action: https://youtu.be/f_ACBUkxtMg I started Taekwondo when I was 14 yrs. old and now I am forty____ ... I can let you do the math. I obviously have a love and passion for this! I am a 5th degree black belt and have been teaching for over 25 years now. Over 15 years have now been with Community Education in Sioux Falls. I have the pleasure of teaching students the aspects of Respect, Confidence, and Discipline. I cannot think of many things in my life that has been more gratifying than the companionship and connection that I have through this experience. |
| Such A Voice | Such A Voice Qualified Instructor can vary Briget Renshaw or Will Kamp will be the instructor for the course. Will Kamp combines his skills as a comedy improv performer, actor, musician, and voice-over artist to deliver a class that you won’t forget. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Will’s journey has taken him on many exciting routes. He has been an on-air and on-camera talent for nationally recognized radio and TV stations. He has voiced live and recorded commercials for various businesses and corporations. He was nominated "Best Comedic Actor" for the 2015 San Diego Aubrey Awards, and he’s also an accomplished singer/songwriter. Will has over a decade of experience in the broadcast and voice-over industry, and enjoys sharing all that he has learned with others.
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| Kathy Weinstein | |
| Nickie Welsh |
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| Siouxland Woodturners |
The Siouxland Woodturner's (SWT) is a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). The AAW is an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the woodturning craft. Our mission is to provide information, education, a meeting place, and an effective organization for all who are interested in turning wood. |
