Give the gift of a class or workshop! |
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Meet Our Instructors!
Aspire Dance Academy
Founded in 2012 by Lauren Gibson and located in Manakin-Sabot,
this Dance Studio has built an incredible reputation for its
high-quality instruction and fun atmosphere. Whether students
are beginning their career as an aspiring professional or simply
looking to enrich their lives through the beautiful motion of
dance, Aspire Dance Academy will help all dancers meet their
goals to their fullest potential.
Founded in 2012 by Lauren Gibson and located in Manakin-Sabot,
this Dance Studio has built an incredible reputation for its
high-quality instruction and fun atmosphere. Whether students
are beginning their career as an aspiring professional or simply
looking to enrich their lives through the beautiful motion of
dance, Aspire Dance Academy will help all dancers meet their
goals to their fullest potential.
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Betsy Taylor
Betsy has been teaching at the Montpelier Center for over ten years! She is an expert with oil and acrylic painting and has earned many devoted followers. Often inspired by nature, Betsy's work frequently invokes a sense of wistfulness and serenity. Skillful with both a paint brush and a palette knife, Betsy teaches her students a variety of techniques to capture light and color. |
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Bridgette Rappe
Bridgette is with a company called Chalk Couture, which is a DIY home decor
direct sales company. She specializes in reusable stencils, surfaces, chalk
paste, and has a full line of accessories to create beautiful things for your
home. Many of her surfaces are also reusable, so people can change up their
designs through the seasons. The complete line of her products can be found on
her website at www.chalkcouture.com/Bridgette.
Bridgette is with a company called Chalk Couture, which is a DIY home decor
direct sales company. She specializes in reusable stencils, surfaces, chalk
paste, and has a full line of accessories to create beautiful things for your
home. Many of her surfaces are also reusable, so people can change up their
designs through the seasons. The complete line of her products can be found on
her website at www.chalkcouture.com/Bridgette.
Chelsea Joyner
Chelsea has loved art for as long as she can remember! After
graduating Longwood University, she pursued a teaching career
and now teaches Elementary Art at Chesterfield County Schools.
She frequently partners with Lisa Powers of Art Explosions, to
pursue fun projects which focus on promoting art in the Montpelier
community. She directed the 2020 Montpelier Summer Camp and is
responsible for its immense success!
Chelsea has loved art for as long as she can remember! After
graduating Longwood University, she pursued a teaching career
and now teaches Elementary Art at Chesterfield County Schools.
She frequently partners with Lisa Powers of Art Explosions, to
pursue fun projects which focus on promoting art in the Montpelier
community. She directed the 2020 Montpelier Summer Camp and is
responsible for its immense success!
Chimene Bruno
Chimene is a dancer and choreographer who holds a B.A. in Dance and
Choreography from VCU's Arts Program. This degree came after her studies
and graduation from Henrico High School's Center for the Arts program, where
performed at the Carpenter Center and auditioned for Julliard's dance program
in New York City. Chimene hopes to take her training and professional
experiences and create something unique and special to energize both youth
and adults in creative movement.
Chimene is a dancer and choreographer who holds a B.A. in Dance and
Choreography from VCU's Arts Program. This degree came after her studies
and graduation from Henrico High School's Center for the Arts program, where
performed at the Carpenter Center and auditioned for Julliard's dance program
in New York City. Chimene hopes to take her training and professional
experiences and create something unique and special to energize both youth
and adults in creative movement.
Chrissie Leslie
Chrissie was a JV Cheer Coach in Marietta, GA from 1998-2000
and took her squad to Regionals, where they placed 5th! As her
daughter grew up, Chrissie became a Cheer Coach for her daughter's
recreational squad until 2010, where they frequently placed 1st in
competitions. Later, she went on to coach at her daughter's nationally
ranked team. She also spearheaded her church's Cheer Squad that
participated in basketball games against other local churches.
Chrissie was a JV Cheer Coach in Marietta, GA from 1998-2000
and took her squad to Regionals, where they placed 5th! As her
daughter grew up, Chrissie became a Cheer Coach for her daughter's
recreational squad until 2010, where they frequently placed 1st in
competitions. Later, she went on to coach at her daughter's nationally
ranked team. She also spearheaded her church's Cheer Squad that
participated in basketball games against other local churches.
Clay Bowles
Clay is a guitarist and singer, and loves jamming with his
band, Lucid! They can often be found at spots like Crazy
Rooster and Ashland Coffee & Tea. He loves helping his
students explore new skills and techniques with their music.
Clay is a guitarist and singer, and loves jamming with his
band, Lucid! They can often be found at spots like Crazy
Rooster and Ashland Coffee & Tea. He loves helping his
students explore new skills and techniques with their music.
Crystal Kuti
Crystal is a mother who enjoys making all kinds of art. She studied art at VCU and received a degree in Art Education before going on to start her business, Bee Kreative. Crystal loves to teach art to anyone who is willing to learn--kids and adults alike. She also does commission work and art parties.
Crystal is a mother who enjoys making all kinds of art. She studied art at VCU and received a degree in Art Education before going on to start her business, Bee Kreative. Crystal loves to teach art to anyone who is willing to learn--kids and adults alike. She also does commission work and art parties.
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Engineering for Kids
At Engineering for Kids, educators help kids learn the skills they need to discover and understand why and how things are made. With a focus on kids ages 4-14, they hope to help build a strong foundation of skills for the future. By inspiring and engaging kids with hands-on activities, these programs help kids learn the science, technology, engineering, and math skills they need to thrive later in life. |
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Grow Community RVA
Mary and Eli Green are dedicated to helping their community grow in connectivity through offering fun interactive youth and adult programs inspired by their passions. Together, they are artists, farmers, teachers, yoga enthusiasts, nature lovers, and life long learners. In addition, Eli is the Farm Director for Full Pocket Farm, an art and agriculture-based day support program for adults with intellectual disabilities, while Mary is the Creative Program Director. |
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Janice Nicewanner
Janice is the owner and founder of her company, Feels Like Sunshine. Located in Central Virginia, her business is centered around her passion for hand lettering. She teaches hand lettering workshops, creates custom hand-lettered signs, and is also available for commissioned hand lettering projects. Her business name comes from her favorite quote: "Surround yourself with people who feel like sunshine." |
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Rebecca Poole
Rebecca is an artist living in Central Virginia with her husband and two kids. She finds most of her inspiration in the garden or around the homestead. When not printing, drawing, or painting, Rebecca loves to wander through her garden, tend to her tiny farm, and make messy art projects with her young kids. Summer is her favorite season and although her favorite color changes regularly, she often gravitates towards pink (for her hair). |
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Sarah Renner
Sarah was a founding member of the first ever REFIT class in the Richmond area in 2016! In May 2017, she attended Instructor Training with no intentions of leading her own class...but in October of that year, she began leading classes at a local dance studio. Fall 2018, she began REFIT for the Family through Hanover Parks and Recreation. She looks forward to introducing you all to the REFIT community...where Every BODY Belongs! |
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Valerie Forde-Galvin
Valerie has been teaching mind and body therapies for 35 years, mostly in New England. A mother of eight, she began her studies in 1972 for self-healing. The focus of her teaching is living consciously and opening to inner wisdom.
Valerie has been teaching mind and body therapies for 35 years, mostly in New England. A mother of eight, she began her studies in 1972 for self-healing. The focus of her teaching is living consciously and opening to inner wisdom.
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Virginia Rep is the largest professional theatre and one of the largest performing arts
organizations in Central Virginia. They embrace the art form in its entirety, presenting
plays of all genres and national origins, serving an audience of all ages and
backgrounds, with an emphasis on audience access. In keeping with their legacy, the
hallmark of their nonprofit company is community engagement.
Virginia Rep is the largest professional theatre and one of the largest performing arts
organizations in Central Virginia. They embrace the art form in its entirety, presenting
plays of all genres and national origins, serving an audience of all ages and
backgrounds, with an emphasis on audience access. In keeping with their legacy, the
hallmark of their nonprofit company is community engagement.
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Wendy Phillips
Wendy has been teaching in the Hanover area for 15 years, a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) since 2003, and has been teaching classes at the Center for several years. In her ongoing training, Wendy has practiced under a number of renowned instructors including Rodney Yee, Baron Baptiste, Dharma Mitra, David Life, and Shannon Gannon. |
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INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
If Hanover County Schools or afternoon activities are closed, we do not have classes. Please contact your instructor with any questions.
We also post updates on our Facebook page.
If Hanover County Schools or afternoon activities are closed, we do not have classes. Please contact your instructor with any questions.
We also post updates on our Facebook page.