Register Now for Peachtree City Rec's New Classes!

2/24/0-8 (8:04 a.m.) Are you looking for something new and fresh to do in your spare time? Look no more. The Peachtree City Parks & Recreation Department has NEW activities for all ages. We are offering music classes, voice lessons, new exercise classes, dance classes and sports classes for toddlers. You don’t want to miss out! Registration has just begun, so come sign up now.

MUSIC & VOICE LESSONS THAT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY

If you are looking to help your child perfect his or her band skills we have the class for you. Starting March 3 we will be offering a class titled, “For The Love Of Music.” Ages 6th grade to adult who are interested in becoming a better musician are encouraged to sign up. The class will focus on Brass, Woodwind & Percussion instruments. This isn’t your typical class, usually our classes last one month. The fee for this class will include 26 sessions starting March 3 continuing through May 28. Class time will be from 5:30p.m.-6:30p.m. at Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center in room 2. It will be taught by Randy Skinner, a professional musician and former band teacher with the Dekalb County School system. Randy received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Shaw University. All are welcome! He is ready for the beginners, prepared to improve the intermediate and perfect the advanced. Randy said, “This class is especially good for serious music students. This will be a small class, which will allow me to be more one on one.”

Is singing one of your or your child’s favorite things to do? Have you not had much success with finding a vocal instructor? Well, lucky for you Peachtree City has done the work for you. Alison Chambers, Artistic Director for Twilight Theatre has decided to share her expertise. Starting March 3 at the United Methodist Church in Peachtree City, Alison will be holding private vocal lessons for anyone ages 6 and up. There will be 4 sessions per month, lasting one hour. You pick the time slot, which is on a first come, first served basis. These classes will be geared toward the abilities and interest of the student. Lessons will include instruction on proper breathing technique, diction, vocal exercises, song work and audition preparation.

Music 101 for Homeschoolers and Adults will also be taught by Alison. “The purpose of this class is for homeschoolers who want to add a music class to their curriculum,” says Alison. Students will learn who wrote famous classical pieces and the story behind them. They will learn about the different periods in classical music and the composers behind them. This class will be held on Tuesdays, starting March 4. Ages 10 and up are welcome to sign up. Class time will be from 11:00a.m to noon at the United Methodist Church.

YOGA UNLIKE ANY OTHER

When you think of yoga you probably don’t think “Therapeutic Yoga!” Merilee Giddings is looking to change that. Therapeutic Yoga is a carefully designed and comprehensive system using gentle and restorative Yoga, supported postures and breath awareness. “Therapeutic Yoga benefits are accessible to anyone, especially those recovering from injury or illness,” says Merilee. This class will be held at Glenloch on Fridays from 8:30a.m.-9:45a.m. beginning in June.

Vinyasa Yoga will also be offered. In this class you will experience a flowing Vinyasa style of Yoga, asanas (poses or postures) linked with the breath while being given the hands-on attention you need to develop optimal strength, flexibility and stamina. You’ll reap the benefits of Yoga almost immediately: relaxing your body, calming your mind and bringing greater awareness to your life. “Give it a try, you’ll love it,” says Merilee. She plans to teach this class on Tuesday evenings beginning in June from 5:30pm until 6:45pm. Merilee has received several recognitions: she has received a certificate from the White Lotus Yoga Foundation, she is a professional member of the International Association Of Yoga Therapists, she has complete the Integrative Yoga Therapy Home Study Program, she has completed the Therapeutic Yoga Training Program, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America recognized her on Group Exercise Instruction, and she received her Continuing Education Certification from Clayton College & State University. Merilee said, “I love everything about Yoga and I take pride in teaching and helping others. I am looking forward to this opportunity.”

IF YOUR LITTLE ONES WANT TO PUT ON THEIR TUTU, THEN WE’VE GOT THE DANCE CLASS FOR YOU

Peachtree City is bringing back ballet, tap and jazz. “Storybook Dance Combo” will be offered for a variety of age groups. Heather Sease, an experienced dancer, choreographer and teacher will bring her talent to us. Heather grew up in many different cultures and has learned the true meaning of dance. She started out at age three with Karen Chastain Dance Academy, New York, and soon became a principal in the children’s production. This led her to study with Rambert School of Dance, Birmingham Ballet, Southern Danceworks, and Summer Intensives with American Ballet Company, East London and various small European dance companies. Heather is trained in R.A.D., Artistic Expression and Modern Pointe. She wrote and copyrighted and educational Storybook dance Program for Pre-School through early childhood education. “This combo program allows children to experience dance forms, develop tone, balance, rhythm and coordination using fun-filled storybook themes,” says Heather. These classes will be held at Glenloch Recreation Center. Ages three through nine will attend a 45 minute dance class. This class will spend 15 minutes on ballet, 15 minutes on tap and 15 minutes on jazz. Children ages 10 and up will also have a 45 minute class with a jazz and ballet combination.

Many of you may be familiar with Rachel Ferguson’s clog-dancing, but you may not know that she has lowered the fee. Her fee is going from $24 to $14 per class. If your child has ever been interested in clogging, now is a great time to get them signed up. Whether you are in the beginning class or on the elite team the price has dropped. Rachel said, “I want to inform everyone of how fun this form of dance is. Contemporary clog-dancing is done to country as well as up-beat pop music.” Children ages four and up may register for this class. Please see the current Peachtree City Parks & Recreation catalog for details.

SPORT CLASSES FOR TODDLERS

We are now offering a soccer program for children ages five through nine. On Tuesday afternoons, starting March, 4 Michael Lynch will become a soccer coach at Glenloch Recreation Center. Classes will be held indoors and outdoors during summer months if the weather permits. He has decided to expand his program and hopefully instill interest in young children. This new program is dedicated in creating a fun environment where young children can love, enjoy, and succeed at the game of soccer. This is done through a balanced curriculum of fun games and challenging experiences. Michael hales to us from the UK. He has several playing honors including playing for Bradford City versus Arseanal FA Youth Cup semifinalists in 1994, named NCAA All Peach belt tournament team in 2001, played in two NCAA Division II soccer Championship tournaments in 2002, along with starting on the Clayton State Soccer team ranked as high as 4th in the nation. He has played in several countries around the world and currently coaches in Henry County.

Playball is another sports program for young children. What is playball? It is a highly specialized program, devised and continually updated by sports experts, occupational therapists and education specialists. We help them develop skills that are not associated with sports at all. Here your children will learn persistence, courage, cooperation, respect, positive relationships, self-worth, communication and much more. They will learn the basis for such sports as baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, soccer, volleyball and more. “This class is good because it is non-competitive,” says Tamara Franklin, Playball instructor. Children ages two and three will have class on Friday from 4:00p.m.-4:45p.m.while children ages four and five will attend from 5:00p.m.-5:45p.m. Both classes will be held at Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center in room 2. For more information on this class contact Cajen Rhodes at (770) 631-2525 or email him at cajen@peachtree-city.org.

For any additional information on any of the new classes listed please contact Ashley Alonso at (770) 631-2542 or at aalonso@peachtree-city.org. Remember that registration for Peachtree City residents begins on the 15th of the month prior and non-residents can register beginning on the 20th of the prior month. Spaces fill up quickly so hurry up and reserve your spot now!