Community Education Programs
Our Community Education Classes are typically run out of Union Street Center. Any other class sites will be indicated in the course descriptions listed below. We would love to hear your ideas about classes that you would like to take or teach. Give us a call at 517-663-8169!
We are currently accepting class proposals for our Community Education Program! This is a great opportunity to share your skills with others. Print and mail a copy of the Course Proposal Form to the attention of Melisa Chick at 501 Union Street or e-mail a completed form to [email protected].
ZUMBA and strength training combo (AGES 13 & UP)
The Zumba program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away! The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. This class is for all ages and fitness levels. An optional 20 minute strength training class follows the Zumba class. You will need to supply your own free weight. Instructor Denise Perkins.
Dates: Mondays and Thursdays (Year Round)
Time: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (Zumba)
Place: Union Street (Gym)
Cost: $5 drop-in fee (Zumba)
YOGA Mixed-Level Class
All are welcome! Any size, shape, age, and level of experience.
Days: Wednesdays
Location: Union Street Room 110
Time: 6:15-7:15 pm
Cost $8 drop in fee per class *Punch cards are also available 4 for $28 or 10 for $70*
**VIRTUAL OPTION ALSO AVAILABLE for $5**
YOGA Mixed-Level Class
All are welcome! Any size, shape, age, and level of experience.
Days: Sundays
Location: Union Street Room 110
Time: 6:15-7:15 pm
Cost: $8 drop in fee per class *Punch cards are also available 4 for $28 or 10 for $70*
**VIRTUAL OPTION ALSO AVAILABLE for $5**
PILATES
Come join us as we stretch and breathe our way to a healthier you! This class will focus primarily on stretching and increasing your flexibility. Please bring a mat to class
Days: Mondays 5:30-6:30 pm
Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 am
Location: Union Street Rm 110
Cost: FREE!!!! (Please email
[email protected] if you plan to attend. Instructor will not hold class if nobody plans to attend.)
Get Paid To Talk / An Introduction to Voice Over
Voice Over is everywhere! From audio books and commercials to training material, animation and more, we are surrounded by recorded voices. And today, many of these voice over professionals work from home on a schedule convenient to them. During this single-evening live, web-based class, your instructor will take you behind-the-scenes in the voice over field for a fun and realistic look at how the voice over field really works. You’ll gain inside perspective on developing skills, identifying your voice strengths and interests, and ideas to help you cultivate repeat work relationships. You’ll also have an opportunity to do a one-on-one script read with the instructor at the end of the class.
And because the class is live, there will be time for your questions throughout the class. If you’ve ever been curious about pursuing voice over part time, full time, or just for fun, this live, web-based class is a tremendous place to begin.
About The Instructor:
With more than 30 years as a voice over artist and voice over producer, your instructor is part of the team at Voice Coaches. Our voice over clients include Netflix, Nickelodeon, Discovery, Lifetime, Universal, along with numerous others in the business, government and private sector. In addition, our team provides voice coaching to business and communication professionals. Learn more at
Voicecoaches.com.
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: Live web meeting
Cost: $25
CARDIO DRUMMING
Connect with your true rhythm in life by combining drumming, music, rhythm and movement! This complete cardio workout is sure to make you sweat! First class is free to try!
Dates: Mondays & Thursdays (Year Round)
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Place: Greyhound Central Elementary - Gym
Cost: (Drop-in) $2.00 to rent a kit or $20 to purchase kit (class is free if you bring your own equipment)
SANCHIN-RYU'S KARATE FOR KIDS - (Grades K-8)
This program combines two crucial courses into one - Sanchin-Ryu Karate & Self-Defense and Project Secure Child (child safety). This class is taught by Certified Sanchin-Ryu Instructor, Sensei Philip Benedict, 4th Degree Black Belt.
Dates: Wednesdays (Spring Session April 2nd - May 7th)
Time: 6:00 pm to 6:45 PM
Place: Union Street Center (Gym)
Cost: $40/student (8 week session)
SANCHIN-RYU'S KARATE FOR FAMILIES
A parent and child program for ages four (4) and up. This program combines two crucial courses into one - Sanchin-Ryu Karate & Self-Defense and Project Secure Child (child safety). This class is taught by Certified Sanchin-Ryu Instructor, Sensei Philip Benedict, 4th Degree Black Belt.
Dates: Wednesdays (Spring Session April 2nd - May 7th)
Time: 7:00- 7:45 PM
Place: Union Street Center (Gym)
Cost: $50/student (8 week session)
SANCHIN-RYU'S KARATE FOR ADULTS
Set in a fun, non-competitive and informative atmosphere, this program is designed to empower today's adults with knowledge that can save your life! Students will learn a broad range of techniques including individual strikes, advanced combinations and more. This class is taught by Certified Sanchin-Ryu Instructor, Sensei Philip Benedict, 4th Degree Black Belt.
Dates: Wednesdays (Spring Session April 2nd - May 7th)
Time: 7:45 - 8:45 PM
Place: Union Street Center (Gym)
Cost: $80/family (8 week session)
UKULELE JAM SESSIONS
Dates: Ukulele Jam - 1st Thursday of the month
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Union Street Center (Conference Room)
Cost: $2 DONATION
8-HOUR RECREATIONAL UKULOGY COURSE (You'll never see a piano at a campfire!)
This is not a music theory class! We will teach Recreational Ukulogy! Playing chords on a ukulele. Ukuleles are provided for the duration of the class. Class book is also provided. Student brings a three-ring binder first day of class.
Students will learn to:
Identify parts of a ukulele,
Tuning a ukulele to G C E A,
Identify usage of left & right hand,
Read chord shapes and applying movement to the fret board, Use chromatic Scale to find major (I, IV & V) chords of a key, Transpose to different keys using a chart,
Play songs using 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 chords.
Have fun and be able to play any song you want to play!
Dates: Monday April 7th, Tuesday April 8th, Monday April 14th, and Tuesday April 15th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: Union Street Conference Room
Cost: $90 for the 4 day session; Class is limited to 8 students
TWO HOUR "DUSTY UKE" GETTING BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!
Review of the necessary playing skills to get you get into the swing of playing your ukulele again.
Tuning review, primary chords, chords in major keys, strumming and putting all back to together again.
Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: Union Street Conference Room
Cost: $30 Class size is limited to 8 students
THE FIVE P'S OF STRUMMING COURSE
This class will teach three basic hand & finger postures and their application to the ukulele strings by:
First hour allows the student to form, practice and then develop hands shapes used to strum. The second hour applies the three strum forms to four songs.
Class text and song sheets will be provided and student should be able to play from the C, F, Dm, G7, G, Em7, D7(Alt) and Am.
Date: Tuesday, April 29. 2025
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: Union Street Conference Room
Cost: $30 Class size is limited to 8 students
FRETBOARD WORKOUT COURSE
There are four basic shapes that you will make with your hand. In class the student will see how the shapes of Four Guys, a Vulcan, and a Bunny walk into Bar form chords. Each shape relates to a chord shape which is a parent to other chord shape. So- Four Guys a Bunny and Vulcan- walk into a Bar will help you form your hand faster & easier.
You will learn that your choice of chord shapes should be based on the shape you are playing and the next shapes to you will need to play. You are choosing the fingers you use and where you place them on the fretboard to transition from chord to chord through the song.
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: Union Street Conference Room
Cost: $30 Class size is limited to 8 students
Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People
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. Ages 13+
Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm
Location: Virtual Meeting
Cost: $62
Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People
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+.
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Time: 6:30-9:00 pm
Location: Virtual Meeting
Cost: $62
