This beginner-friendly course introduces the fundamentals of music notation and theory, including note reading, clefs, rhythm, intervals, scales, and familiar chord progressions. 

This class is perfect for:

• Beginners curious about how music works
• Parents or teachers helping kids with music lessons
• Self-taught musicians ready to fill gaps in their knowledge
• Community music ensemble members who want to improve their reading and music theory understanding (Flagstaff Community Band,  Orchestra Northern Arizona, Master Chorale of Flagstaff, etc.)
• Lifelong learners exploring a creative new hobby

Through a combination of lectures and hands-on exercises, we'll spend three weeks:

• Decoding notes on the staff
• Clapping and counting rhythms
• Singing intervals and simple melodies
• Identifying common chord patterns

In addition, you’ll receive curated practice sheets, recommended practice apps and websites, and listening examples to reinforce skills between sessions. By the end, you’ll have the tools to read sheet music. 

Class meets Mondays and Thursdays: June 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19; from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 

Instructor Caitlin McCready is a professional horn player, educator, and arts administrator based in Flagstaff. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Music at Arizona State University. Before moving to Flagstaff, Caitlin spent four years at Southeast Missouri State University, where she taught music theory and aural skills.

An advocate for adult learning and community music, Caitlin is also the Executive Director of the Flagstaff Community Band.

When not doing all of that, Caitlin also performs regularly with the Flagstaff Symphony and other orchestras throughout AZ, NV, and CO.

Ready to dive into the world of metalsmithing? In this hands-on, three-day workshop, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to start your metalsmithing journey. Working with sterling silver and copper, you’ll create your own handcrafted rings and a copper cuff bracelet while learning techniques like soldering, filing, sanding, stamping, forming, texturing, polishing, and more.

No experience? No problem! This beginner-friendly class is designed to introduce you to the tools and techniques of metalsmithing in a fun and supportive environment. By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry and the confidence to keep creating!

Join us and learn how to turn metal into wearable art!

Instructor Skyler Dunfey is a metalsmith and jewelry artist with over a decade of experience in the craft. She first discovered metalsmithing in high school and has been honing her skills ever since, selling her work through SkyJune Designs and teaching jewelry-making classes to share her passion. Skyler specializes in traditional fabrication techniques, from soldering and stone setting to texturing and forming metal by hand. Her work is inspired by organic textures, natural landscapes, and a love of adventure. As an instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience, Skyler creates a welcoming and hands-on learning environment, helping students develop confidence and creativity at the bench.

Class meets Tuesday, June 3, Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5; from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Poetry is powerful, personal, and it can be playful, too! Drawing on the idea of fulfillment represented by the upcoming summer solstice and the historic events of Juneteenth, we’ll practice some basic poetry techniques, get outside for inspiration from the natural world, and then let our learnings and laughter fly onto our papers! This workshop is ideal for individuals seeking to develop or expand their writing style, or for families looking for a unique activity to do together. One thing is for sure – we will have fun and see writing poetry in a fresh, new way! Finally, participants will have the opportunity to type their poems using decorative papers on vintage typewriters to create keepsakes to take home. Participants should bring a notebook and pen, but leave stuffy notions of fancy literature behind.

Instructor Linda Maria Alvarado made her first publication, a family newsletter, when she was thirteen and has been writing ever since. Fast forward (a few!) years, and she completed a certificate in creative writing from UCLA Extension in 2024 and can now officially state that she can “write pretty.” As further proof of her claim, she currently has a poem included in the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Poetry Maps exhibit and is serving as a poet-in-residence there as well. She has a BA in Fine Arts, MA in Anthropology, and her business, Paperclip Poetry, provides custom poems at events throughout Northern Arizona.

Minor children:

• If you are bringing a child, the minimum age for this course is 12.
• Children will receive a discount of $10. Please limit your registration to two per adult.
• Please call with any questions on children attending: 928-226-4174.

As an elder, you have gathered many experiences from a life well-lived. Leave a legacy to future generations while you make sense of your own life by writing your story. In this class, you will begin the process by responding to writing prompts which will elicit stories from different chapters of your life: childhood, early adulthood, mid-life, and older adulthood. Beginners as well as seasoned writers are welcome as we share our stories with one another. Please bring a notebook or laptop.

Barbara Shovers, M.A., is a life coach, gerontologist, and writing instructor. She has taught at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, and Coconino Community College. She co-founded Flagstaff Writers Connection and has organized and given workshops on personal growth through writing. She has been a member of a memoir group for eight years.

Class meets on five Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23