Course Listing - by Instructor

Name	Biography
Chess4Life	Elliott Neff is a National Master in Chess, author of A Pawn's Journey (October 2018), and Founder/CEO of Chess4Life, which exists to help kids develop life skills through the game of chess. What began for Elliott as a childhood fascination with chess has blossomed into an opportunity to positively impact hundreds of thousands of kids per week through Chess4Life programs. Elliott enjoys sharing his love of the game and especially the benefits of chess through speaking engagements, special appearances, simultaneous chess exhibitions, and blindfold chess demonstrations. His enthusiasm for making a difference in kids' lives through this fun game is contagious as he makes strategic moves toward the goal of reaching 1 MILLION kids per week learning life skills through chess. Learn more at www.chess4life.com.
South Dakota Aerial and Arts
Nadia Bijaoui Bio Health Education	I grew up in France and when I was twenty moved to Los Angeles where I lived most of my life, before moving to Sioux Falls to be near my three children and my grandchildren. My background includes extensive health research and I love teaching. I have taught from Montessori level (pre-school) to University students. My research on dream science was published in 2019 by The International Journal of Dream Research. I have since added a new description, 'Or The Power of Dreaming', to a non-fiction book of survival I had published, 'The Other Side of The Curtain: Recovering from Deep Coma', because there are seven dreams in it. I have worked for the Sioux Falls School District at John Harris, Kids Inc., am an Online Adjunct Faculty at South New Hampshire University, and the rest of the time I enjoy my family or work at my company, biohealthedu.com, as a life/health coach. Dr. Nadia Judith Bijaoui, Medical Board of California Certified Research Psychoanalyst.
Rich Brubakken	I have been a life-long educator who enjoys working with adults. 40 years of my life has been spent working in education, but my love has always been in the arts. I have undergraduate work in the field of art from Augustana University and have spent time working in stained glass with glass teacher, Steve Spencer. I am looking forward to passing along his gifts to the students I have the pleasure of meeting and working with.
605 Magic Art Bus
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!
Joseph Herreman
Elizabeth Hertz
Ruth Hillman	Hello, my name is Ruth Hillman and I love my job at Roosevelt High School! In addition to teaching art, I run a small business as That Weird Art Girl creating clay charms that I turn into jewelry and sell as fashionable works of art. Even though creating tiny sculptures next to my two cats is more than I could ask for, I would love it if you could join one of my classes so I can share my love for polymer clay (and dad jokes) with you!
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	I grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota born in 1995. From a young age I was attracted to the idea of creating art from different mediums. It wasn't until my senior year of high school where I found my passion for ceramics. In 2013, I graduated from Roosevelt High School and began cooking at a restaurant in Sioux Falls. On weekdays I would cook, but when the weekend came I was volunteering at a local ceramic workshop in the Washington Pavilion. 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.
Andrea Koch	Andrea Koch is a part time middle school art teacher and full time creative. You can usually find her scoping out local gems, pondering her latest project, and soaking up South Dakota life with her family and animals. She earned her undergraduate degree at Black Hills State in Art Education with an endorsement in Special Education. She now lives on the flatter side of the state with her husband and animals, but South Dakota has always been where they call home! She's excited to partner with Sioux Falls Community Education to help others dig into their own creativity!
Emily Learing	I am a local mental health professional and business owner who published a children's book in 2021. As a mental health professional, I work with young children and their parents in play therapy at my practice, Encompass Mental Health. My children's book, Henry Knows Best! A Story About Learning from Mistakes and Listening to Others was created after hours of conversations with parents about how to help children to understand the importance of learning from consequences and being willing to take advice from others. I created Henry to help parents to achieve their goal of encouraging their children to listen to trusted adults and learn from mistakes in their day-to-day life. After publishing my book, many people reached out to me to let me know that this was one of their life-long goals. I have created this course in hopes of encouraging some authors who have always desired to self-publish a book to take the first step towards achieving that goal.
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!
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!
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 has allowed Stephanie to reconnect with her roots and her passions. In 2016, she founded Fruit of the Coop, LLC, a wholesale egg business, on her 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 a variety of Sioux Falls restaurants and retail locations. Stephanie also hosts events on her property as well as operating a farm stay AirBnB. She believes in bringing local food to Sioux Falls area establishments and helping to revitalize small and mid-level agriculture in rural economies and communities.
Sandrine Pilaz	Sandrine, originally from France, relocated to the United States with her family in 2010. Trained as a neuro-psychologist, she made the choice to temporarily set aside her career, dedicating herself to raising her four daughters while fully immersing in American culture. Her husband, a brain researcher, led their family through various locations, including Baltimore, MD, (John Hopkins university) and Durham, NC (Duke university), before establishing roots in Sioux Falls, SD, in 2019. Sandrine’s life is all about experiencing and providing nourishment and beauty through simple daily practices such as walking in nature, dancing, crafting a delicious meal, or connecting with others, away from technology. In 2022, she published a book titled Simply French in America recounting her culinary journey from France to the US. Her fervent commitment lies in empowering families to redirect their time and energy back into the heart of their homes—the kitchen. She founded the Nourish Collective in 2024, whose mission is to cultivate a caring and inclusive community where individuals can enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through a variety of nourishing practices.
Community Relations
Carole South-Winter	Dr. Carole South-Winter was born and grew up in Sioux Falls, SD. She attended McKennan School of Radiologic Technology earned a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Administration from Presentation College, a Masters in Higher Education Curriculum and Instruction, she earned a Doctor of Naturopathy from Clayton in Birmingham and a Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State University. Carole served for 13 years as program director at one of the largest nuclear medicine technology programs in the United States at Southeast Technical Institute, she also served as the interim Director of Education for the AHRA, Executive director for Reclaiming Youth International, Director of Radiology Oncology and currently is an associate professor and program coordinator for Health Services Administration in the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota for the past 15 years. She has been active with many societies and organizations dealing with administration, education, global healthcare, physician suicide and burnout, and imaging sciences, and recently studied empathy with Dr. Patch Adams in long-term care facilities, prisons, and schools in Naples, Italy. She is a prolific researcher and lecturer and continues to publish at local, state, national, and international levels, speaking in 7 countries in 6 weeks in summer of 2023.
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	Maria loves to lead yoga classes for people of all ages, from mothers and babies to retirees. She enjoys sharing the benefits of yoga practice for mind, body, and spirit. Her classes blend slow, mindful movement with intentional breathing and deep relaxation. Maria is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, YogaFit Prenatal/ Postpartum instructor, and has over 13 years of experience teaching yoga in Sioux Falls. When she's not doing yoga, you might find her dancing with LiRa Dance Theatre Company or Move to Heal South Dakota. She loves to hike and is working on transforming her yard into a mini food forest with native plants. She and her husband have two beautiful boys whom they get to accompany on their journeys of being and becoming.
Troy Vink	Master 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.
Kathy Weinstein
Nickie Welsh	Hi, I'm Nickie and I'm passionate about helping adults use technology to improve their lives in a positive way. In these classes you'll find the best resources on using popular social media platforms, ride sharing apps, online safety, podcasts and more! I believe technology can help anyone, no matter what age or background. If you or someone you know has ever become frustrated when trying to use technology or experienced "technology overwhelm" then you're in the right place. We're here to help you along your technology journey and ensure you never have to ask a teenager for tech help again. With my B.A. from Iowa State University, I've helped tens of thousands of adults with practical and useful technology training through my company Social Club Simple. I'm HQ in MN, and am grateful to help others all over the Unites States. Social Club Simple was created to help solve a need between technology and the user experience with social media. Before I stumbled upon this passion, I first started helping out my family members with questions on how to use social media. Next, I started volunteering at a local senior apartment housing complex and kept answering the same questions over and over while loving every minute of it! Seriously, it was so much fun! Social media has the power to connect and I’ve seen what the positive benefits are for seniors who are unable to drive or may have family members and friends who live far away. Our mission at Social Club Simple is to make social media easy to understand and use so that seniors are able to stay connected to their loved ones.

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Course Listing - by Instructor