Join Jada in exploring the Foods & Flavors of various countries. This session will briefly highlight how food connects to tradition and why they are so delicious to explore.

Jada-Rose Simmons is a junior at Pace University pursuing a BS in Health Science. She has a strong passion for food, anime, and films, and enjoys exploring how culture and storytelling intersect through both cuisine and media.

Join Charles for a lot of musical potpourri and a little of “other”! The musical content will include some basic teaching of how to play a piano, singing as a group, viewing music videos to include songs and teaching about music. Then, if time, Charles takes class requests and will devote some time to discussing or finding interesting things on the internet. Enjoy the Entertainment hour!

Charles has always been a music lover and his earliest memories of loving music are hearing his beloved Mom humming, singing and listening to a transistor radio, challenging as it was to tune in to a radio station. Today he wants to bring joy to you by helping you to build a simple toolbox for playing the piano (a super user friendly and approachable instrument), that will enable them to play a lot of song as well as just enjoy the pleasures of singing and listening to Music!

Join Lisa to learn about yourself by tuning in to your ‘soma,’ which is defined as your body when experienced from within. Somatic yoga is a yoga practice that uses a mindful approach to movement called “somatics.” It prioritizes thoughts, feelings, and body awareness over form. The process is what matters, not athletic proficiency.

Lisa has been teaching mindful practices in NYC for about 20 years & was certified in 2021. This same year, she completed her certification in Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy with Sundara Yoga.

More recently, she completed a certification with the HeartMath Institute in Trauma-Sensitive Healthcare & several certifications in Interpersonal Neurobiology w/ Dr. Dan Siegel. This prepared Lisa to develop class curricula for oncology, general medical & psychiatric patients in her connection to Weill Cornell Center for Health & Wellbeing. Lisa lives w/her husband, Seán, & they care for their dog, Finn MacCool. She enjoys nature & enjoys concocting in the kitchen!

Every life includes hardship, and every tradition has tried to make sense of suffering. We will explore how religions and the arts offer ways of finding strength and healing, as well as making sense of suffering.

Anna Kruse is a midlife Master’s in Social Work student at Columbia and a Master’s in Divinity student at Union Theological Seminary. She has led groups for people experiencing all kinds of life transitions.

She is an avid reader and loves movies. Having lost many people close to her, she knows what it’s like to feel like you’re doing grief wrong! She believes that storytelling, community, laughter, and practical care can help diminish feelings of grief and create more joy.

This is a supportive, discussion-based group focused on emotional well-being, connection, and reflection. Each month, we will explore topics related to stress, relationships, life changes, self-compassion, and personal growth in a calm and respectful space.

Participants are invited to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable. There is no pressure to speak, no right or wrong answers, and no judgment. This group is about listening, being heard, and reminding ourselves that we are not alone.

Daniela is a volunteer group facilitator with the Virtual Senior Center. She has a background in social work and a strong interest in emotional wellness, connection, and creating spaces where people feel heard and supported. She is really glad you’ve joined the class and is honored to share this space with you.

Join Ken for a wide range of music from the standards of the American Songbook, through folk, country, and R&B of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

Ken brings his easy-going, accessible style to each performance, loves to take requests, and encourages audience participation, making no two performances the same. His peers at Musician’s On Call call him the "Human Jukebox”… please join a class and stump him!

Leah Stern is an educator and aspiring librarian. She loves teaching technology and believes that it can be a tool for creativity and information accessibility! Beyond the classroom, Leah loves to read, craft, and spend time in nature.

Join Clara to explore the science behind aging and what happens inside the body over time. This class will explain how muscles, bones, brain function, and metabolism change as we age and why these changes occur. Participants will also learn how everyday habits like exercise, nutrition, and staying mentally active can support healthy aging.

Clara is a biomedical engineering student at Johns Hopkins University with a strong interest in health and wellness. Having lived in four different countries, she enjoys learning about diverse cultures and lifestyles.

Clara is passionate about helping others build healthy habits and enjoys activities such as pilates, exercise, cooking, and crafts in her free time. She is excited to share practical and accessible strategies to support healthy aging backed by science.

Maegan is an editor and French translator by profession, allowing her to work with writers, artists, nonprofits, and businesses worldwide. Her work combines two passions: helping people build relationships through communication and learning new things. Maegan moved to NYC in 2011 for the Publishing and Digital Media program at NYU. She was excited to discover an online community center for older adults--something she had longed to see in her home city of Montreal while working for HelpAge Canada.

She has been leading VSC classes ever since, and cherishes the bond she shares with the participants over women leaders throughout history and their influence on our lives today. She loves to spend time in nature and has two small dogs, Cindy and Tucker (who sometimes pop in on classes!)

Alan leads classes combining history with literature and has thought-provoking conversations about both! Alan was a lawyer and an investment banker. In 2010 he obtained a Masters degree in Literature/History. He then also became an Author.

For Stress Awareness month, join Anna for a class on: Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!” A Workshop About Healthy Dessert, because Why Not? IN THE KITCHEN: Learn How To Make Some of Anna's Favorite go-to Crowd Pleasing Desserts that Won't Break the Bank.

Anna DiMaggio, MS, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience in the field. She is a specialist in Nutrition for older adults and offers evidence-based, easy-to-understand Nutrition and general health information, and LIVE Cooking Workshops. Her true passion lies in understanding the interconnectedness of Food as Fuel and Medicine, & how that relates to Chronic Diseases. Her mission is to empower Older Adults with the knowledge, motivation, & kitchen skills that help them live their happiest and healthiest Life.

Join David for a class that focuses on increasing strength and improving overall vitality for various health-related issues, such as Arthritis and balance. The class includes a mixture of movements based on yoga, pilates, and PT exercises. Do as much or as little of the exercises as you can as he explains how the exercises help you in your daily movement.

David is a NASM certified personal trainer and holds a certification in Senior Fitness. He also specializes in Parkinson Wellness Recovery programs from PWR4LIFE. His business focuses on Mature Adults, leads individual and group training of all ages, as well as works with people with various conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. David also teaches in the Arts & Science department for the past 16 years as part time Faculty for Columbia College in Chicago, IL.

Steve has been teaching American History with VSC since 2018. He has had varied careers as a lawyer, Peace Corps Volunteer, and educator. He taught high school social studies in New York City and retired in 2023 from working in administration with the NYC Department of Education, working with high schools in the Bronx. Steve is married with two grown sons, two dogs, and three cats!

Join the live Tours brought to you by Wowzitude! Join Susan and the Tour Guide at a vast array of amazing cities in the US and the World as they guide to the landmark and iconic sites. The Tour Guide will comment on what is happening live at the moment! There's no experience like it!

Join Liora to learn about holistic healing techniques, such as massage and acupuncture, to support overall health and well-being.

Liora Elkoby is a Human Services major at Palm Beach State College in Florida. She lives with her parents and twin sisters in sunny Boca Raton, Florida, where she regularly frequents the beach. She is passionate about natural healing to build wellness and enjoys participating in different holistic modalities, such as yoga and acupuncture.

Liora volunteers weekly at a local senior community center, where she helps in the café and connects with the members. She is excited to learn and grow as a presenter and meet new people!

Tim graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Political Science from Carson-Newman College in 1980 and, with honors, from law school at the University of Tennessee in 1984. He worked with a regional bank, managing a real estate investment fund for retirement plans. Until retiring in 2019, Tim worked for over 20 years as a self-employed consultant, specializing in new retail developments and major remodeling projects.

Let’s explore the difference between lonely and alone and how being alone can encompass the joy of freedom and other benefits. Explore how to balance being alone and being with others.

Jenny Pigassiou is a NYC-based performance and video artist and entrepreneur. Life-long learner and creator, including personal development workshops, painting, light sculpture, and improvisational theater, among others.

Glenn performs as an old-school singing cowboy, complete with colorful costumes and a repertoire of country and western favorites from past decades. Together with his wife, Suzanne Smithline, he performs in the family-friendly rock and roll band "Squeaky Clean," which appeared for many years on Nickelodeon's "Eureeka's Castle."

Glenn performs an hour of well-loved songs ("anything that you can sing wearing a cowboy hat"), occasionally shares a corny joke, and provides updates on the family. Over the years, he has come to know the favorite songs of many participants. There is always a welcome mat and a "Howdy" for newcomers.

Step into the world of Realism, where artists portrayed everyday life and ordinary people with truthful detail and social awareness. Enjoy viewing selected works from the era and explore the stories behind the artists and their powerful, true-to-life masterpieces.

Ashley is a first-year student at Pace University studying musical theatre, with a strong passion for both performance and visual art. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, she has always been surrounded by creativity and inspiration. Her favorite pastime is exploring art galleries around the city.

Join Jada in exploring the Foods & Flavors of various countries.

Jada-Rose Simmons is a junior at Pace University pursuing a BS in Health Science. She has a strong passion for food, anime, and films, and enjoys exploring how culture and storytelling intersect through both cuisine and media.

Join Lisa to learn about yourself by tuning in to your ‘soma,’ which is defined as your body when experienced from within. Somatic yoga is a yoga practice that uses a mindful approach to movement called “somatics.” It prioritizes thoughts, feelings, and body awareness over form. The process is what matters, not athletic proficiency.

Lisa has been teaching mindful practices in NYC for about 20 years & was certified in 2021. This same year, she completed her certification in Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy with Sundara Yoga.

More recently, she completed a certification with the HeartMath Institute in Trauma-Sensitive Healthcare & several certifications in Interpersonal Neurobiology w/ Dr. Dan Siegel. This prepared Lisa to develop class curricula for oncology, general medical & psychiatric patients in her connection to Weill Cornell Center for Health & Wellbeing. Lisa lives w/her husband, Seán, & they care for their dog, Finn MacCool. She enjoys nature & enjoys concocting in the kitchen!

Join Milo to explore the lives & Arts history of 6 iconic musical celebrities. Learn about the stars and what made them the iconic celebs!

Milo Stuart is currently a freshman earning his BFA in Musical Theatre at Pace University. He has loved performing ever since he can remember and is excited to continue to pursue this as a career! Each class will follow a different, influential musical theatre performer!

Join Mechelle and Tanisha for a helpful session about staying safe online. Learn how to spot scams and phishing emails, and get easy tips to protect your information when using the internet.

At the University of Rochester, Mechelle, a Family Medicine Researcher, and Tanisha, a Project Manager, help community members learn how to use MyChart and other patient portals, making healthcare easier and more accessible for everyone. Mechelle and Tanisha love to help others and are excited to connect.

Join Luke to share in a safe place to learn and talk about substance use and recovery later in life. The class will focus on education on substance use and resources for recovery for older adults. Personal experiences are welcome!

Luke has worked in the behavioral health and addictions field for over ten years. Most of that time was spent serving older adults in some capacity. His passion is to help others. He is a certified Substance Use Counselor and a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate.

Join Maegan for weekly classes focusing on the achievements of women in all fields of life!

Maegan is an editor and French translator by profession. Both of these positions allow her to work with writers, artists, nonprofits, and businesses worldwide. Her work combines two passions: helping people build relationships through communication and learning new things.

Maegan moved to NYC in 2011 for the Publishing and Digital Media program at NYU. She was excited to discover an online community center for older adults--something she had longed to see in her home city of Montreal while working for HelpAge Canada. She has been leading VSC classes ever since and cherishes the bond she shares with the participants over women leaders throughout history and their influence on our lives today. She loves to spend time in nature and has two small dogs, Cindy and Tucker (who sometimes pop in on classes!)

Join Johanna for this workshop where you'll discuss the dos, don’ts, and scams related to obtaining the tech support you need.

Join Johanna of Smarter Service for Tech tips, including using your device, surfing the internet, using Email, and many more relevant tips to keep up with today's technology trends. Johanna has over a decade of experience in the tech industry and is passionate about helping older adults navigate and build confidence with technology. Originally from Texas—a place she still fondly calls home—Johanna now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband of over 12 years and their three beautiful children. When she's not spending time with her family, Johanna enjoys baking and decorating cakes!

What are the different types of vaccines, how do they work, and what is herd immunity? · Understanding the different types of antibiotics and steroids and how they are used in fighting disease, and the negative effects as well.

What are the different types of cancer, what are the types of treatments that are currently available, and what new options are being tested?

Allen is a former high school math teacher who enjoys leading virtual classes on a variety of topics.

Join Adam to explore practical, beginner-friendly ways to use artificial intelligence in everyday life. This session will cover how AI can help with tasks like asking questions, writing emails, finding recipes, organizing ideas, and learning new things. The class will be interactive, easy to follow, and open to anyone, regardless of prior experience.

Adam is a college student with a strong interest in technology and artificial intelligence. He enjoys exploring how digital tools can make everyday life easier, more efficient, and more creative. He looks forward to sharing simple, practical ways to use AI with the VSC community.

Join Jonathan as he performs piano vocal numbers from the American Songbook, Love songs, and more! He loves entertaining and interacting with the audience about the music.

Jonathan Vitale, also known as Dr. Jonathan, is a pianist, vocalist, collaborator, songwriter, and family physician in Manhattan. Follow him on Instagram at @therealdrjonathan.