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.
Sam Anderson	Sam Anderson is an avid hiker, backpacker, traveler and adventurer. He is passionate about empowering people to get outdoors to experience the joys and benefits of spending time in nature. He is the owner of 605Adventure.com which exists to inspire and empower people through adventure travel and experiences in nature. He's constantly checking off his bucket list life experiences while continually adding more to it! As an educator, husband, and father of four, his enthusiasm for making a difference in peoples' lives is contagious!
To Be Announced
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 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.
Kim Bogart
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.
Molly Christianson	With 18 years of working for South Dakota’s largest employer of teens, 25+ years of coaching cheer and Girls On the Run, and host of Teen Leadership Breakthrough, Molly evokes leadership skills in teen girls through workshops that teach the importance of self-awareness, goal setting, communication, laser-focus action, and teamwork! These workshops are great for team building, birthday and slumber parties, friends gathering…
Hector Curriel	Hector Curriel is the editorial cartoonist for El Observador News since 2007 and a syndicated cartoonist for CartoonStock! 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.
Nicole Decker
Ali Dunbar (Hoffman)	Ali Dunbar (Hoffman) serves as the band director at Pettigrew Elementary where she teaches fifth grade band and is one of three band directors at Patrick Henry Middle School where she teaches sixth through eighth grade band. She was raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education from Augustana College and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Sioux Falls. She has taught instrumental and vocal music in South Dakota from the Kindergarten to Eighth grade level. In addition to her duties as a band director, she maintains a music studio teaching over 30 clarinet and piano students privately, has served as an instrumental clinician around the state of South Dakota, is the manager of the Festival of Bands USA Marching Band Competition in Sioux Falls, SD, directs the Summer Youth Bands through the Sioux Falls School District and actively serves on educational leadership committees throughout her school district.
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.
Beth Feltes	Beth graduated in 2005 from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in Music. She has been teaching piano & voice lessons for the past 8 years. Beth lives in Sioux Falls with her husband & 3 children. Playing piano & singing are two of Beth's favorite things to do, so she is excited to share that passion with students in Sioux Falls! Beth loves musical theater & most recently, she portrayed Mary in a stage performance of "Mary Poppins." Beth worked in Youth Ministry for 8 years before becoming a mom, so she is comfortable working with children & teens of all ages. Each student is unique & each student can succeed! Beth has experience teaching children as young as 4 through adults & children with special needs. Check out Beth's website! https://elizabethfeltes.weebly.com/
Heather Goodface-Ferguson
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!
Joshua Hall, Principal
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
Nicole Highby	My name is Nicole Highby. I am a first-grade teacher here in Sioux Falls and have been teaching for 11 years! I have a passion for STEAM and technology! I am also a soccer coach, I volunteer at Horse Power and am an avid quilter. My family and I live in the country and have great passion for animals and all things outdoors. We love to camp, hike, kayak, ride bike, and we all play soccer!
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!
Missy John	Hi, my name is Missy John and I have been training dogs for years in a variety of realms. I started in K9 Search and Rescue and evolved to working with dogs with severe behavior issues. My passion turned into a mission the more involved with dogs I became. I enjoy spending my free time playing with my dogs, volunteering for spay and neuter clinics in nearby Reservations, fostering dogs, and avid podcast listener (nerd alert!). Being able to share my experience and knowledge with other dog lovers, is a true blessing for me.
Megan Kittisopikul
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!
Amber Lounsbery
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.
Daughters of Norway	Daughters of Norway - Borghild Dahl Lodge #54 - Sioux Falls Versed and skilled in tradition passed down through generations, the Daughters of Norway Group offers access to a wealth of resources, opportunities, and camaraderie as we journey together to celebrate our shared heritage. Whether you're a proud descendant of Norwegian immigrants or simply have an interest in Scandinavian culture (or just love that lefse and some Uff Da) we welcome you to join us in cooking or culture classes!
Archery Outfitters
Cassey Penney
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.
Adrian Pfarr-Ness	Adrian has been a passionate professional cosmetologist for 10 years, with experience in full service salon environments and post secondary cosmetology instruction. She has a special interest in formal occasion styling and providing hair and make up for professional photo shoots too! She enjoys sharing her passion with students and clients alike and loves being an active volunteer and business owner in the Sioux Falls community!
Jana Phelps	At Perfect Zen I take my time to get to know you on a personal one-to-one level. I walk through your medical history, your daily stressors, your aches and pains, your mental and physical ailments, and your goals for your overall health and wellness. I strive to get you back to your desired level of wellness. I came into sound healing with a 32 year history of being a registered nurse, looking for more holistic methods for healing of the mind, body, soul and spirit to help others achieve total mind/body wellness. I formally studied through the Sound Healing Academy in England to achieve my sound healing practitioner status. I offer individual, group, and online sound sessions with a variety of instruments including: Crystal singing bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks, chimes, gongs, drums and many other instruments to individualize your treatment sessions. I also offer tuning fork only sessions as well as non-invasive energy assessments with the Bio-Well device. Jana Phelps RN, BSN, Sound Healing Practitioner
Elena Popova
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!
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.
Sioux Falls Sword Academy	My name is Jesse Adams and I am originally from the Bemidji area in Northern Minnesota, and moved to Sioux Falls six years ago. Up north I ran a Dojang (training gym) for nearly ten years before moving to the Sioux Falls area to support my wife's career. I feel very fortunate to be able to continue offering Kumdo/Kendo classes to the great people in our region! My training began nearly sixteen years ago, during which I have enjoyed the opportunity of traveling overseas on a number of occasions. I believe strongly in both the physical and emotional benefits of martial arts practice! The study of the sword specifically is an excellent method of pursuing a deeper understanding of ourselves while enjoying being active. I look forward to seeing you in class!
Andrew Travers
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.
Cassandra Willett	Cassandra Willett is a WPA certified SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) instructor who was certified by the professional ocean athlete Gillian Gibree in San Diego through Paddle Into Fitness. While growing up in Flandreau, South Dakota she spent most of her summers swimming, playing sports, and being outdoors. She is married to Reginald Willett, who also helps her with Flow and Paddle. She enjoys spending time traveling, hanging out with family and friends, and being in the yoga studio or gym! Cassandra is enrolled for her Yoga Teacher Training of 200 hours through Yoga Alliance and plans to teach kids yoga in the future. We are blessed to be a part of such a great community. I hope to provide each of the students with knowledge of paddle boarding and water safety instruction so each of you will be comfortable getting on the paddle boards and walking on water with us.
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.

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Course Listing - by Instructor