We all have a million things on our lifetime "to do" list, but too often we put them off because it's never the right time to embark on a new educational journey. News flash: there is no right time. And paradoxically, the right time is now.
There are countless educational opportunities in Rochester. Below you'll find a directory with basic descriptions; hopefully one will offer what you're looking for and you can get started on your new path.
NOTE: The list features mostly classes for adults. This is by no means a comprehensive guide to local classes; for more check out the ever-expanding list at rochestercitynewspaper.com.
Colleges/Universities
Colleges and universities offer a wealth of educational opportunities, some of which are limited exclusively to enrolled students, some of which are open to the public. Check each school's website for details.
Bryant & StrattonCollege (150 Bellwood Dr | 1225 Jefferson Rd, bryantstratton.com)
ColgateRochesterCrozerDivinitySchool (1100 S Goodman St, 271-1320, crcds.edu)
EmpireState College (1475 N Winton Rd, 224-3200, esc.edu)
Finger LakesCommunity College(4355 Lakeshore Dr, Canandaigua, 394-FLCC, fingerlakes.edu)
GeneseeCommunity College(1 College Rd, Batavia, 343-0055, genesee.edu)
MonroeCommunity College (1000 E Henrietta Rd, 292-2000, monroecc.edu)
NazarethCollege (4245 East Ave, 389-2525, naz.edu)
RobertsWesleyanCollege (2301 Westside Dr, 800-777-4792, roberts.edu)
Rochester Institute of Technology (1 Lomb Memorial Dr, 475-2411, rit.edu)
St. John Fisher (3690 East Ave, 385-8000, sjfc.edu)
SUNY Brockport (350 New Campus Dr, Brockport, 395-2211, brockport.edu)
SUNY Geneseo (1 College Circle, Geneseo, 245-5211, geneseo.edu)
University of Rochester (275-2121, rochester.edu)
Arts & Crafts
The Animation Workshop at Animatis Studio Basic and intermediate animation, independent study, studio production and specialty workshops. (34 Winthrop St, 232-1740, animatusstudio.com)
Art & Soul Studio Classes for children and adults in beading, jewelry making, knitting, collage, and more. (135 Packetts Landing, Fairport, 223-4560)
Bisque and Brush Paint a piece of pottery to be glazed and fired. (713 Park Ave, 461-0550, bisqueandbrush.com)
Booksmart Studios Offers workshops on a variety of specialized printing topics. (250 N Goodman St, 598-9322, booksmartstudio.com)
Color Me Mine Ceramic painting technique class. (3349 Monroe Ave, 383-8420, pittsford.colormemine.com)
GeneseeCenter for Arts and Education Classes and workshops in pottery, printing and book arts, and photography. (713 Monroe Ave, 244-1730, geneseearts.org)
Hyatt's All Things Creative Classes include airbrush basics, calligraphy, acrylic mediums, mat cutting, introductory watercolor, and more. (937 Jefferson Rd, 292-6500, hyatts.com)
JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts "Creative University" offers classes in sewing, quilting, home décor, cake decorating, knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, jewelry-making, more. (915 Holt Rd, Webster, 872-0300 | 3333 W. Henrietta Rd, 292-1160 | 3042 W. Ridge Rd, 227-2040)
MemorialArtGallery Creative Workshop Classes and workshops in drawing, jewelry-making, pottery, art history, weaving, sculpture, much more. (500 University Ave, 276-8959, mag.rochester.edu/creativeworkshop)
MendonVillage Quilt Shop Quilting classes for all skill levels. (9 N Main St, Honeoye Falls, 624-3130, mendonvillagequiltshop.com)
Michael's Variety of classes in cake decorating, bead making, more. (40 Square Drive, Eastview Square, 425-2140 | 3349 Monroe Ave, Pittsford, 381-1670 | 300 Hylan Dr, Jay Scutti Plaza, 424-3340 | 500 Greece Ridge Center Rd, 368-0820 | michaels.com)
Mill Art & Center Gallery Painting classes, jewelry-making, drawing, mixed-media, more. (61 N Main St, Honeoye Falls, 624-7740, millartcenter.com)
More Fire Glass Studio Classes in bead making, mosaics, kiln forming, fusing techniques and more. (80 Rockwood Pl, 242-0450, morefireglass.com)
Patricia's Fabric House Variety of quilting classes offered. (333 W Commercial St, East Rochester, 248-2362)
RochesterArtSupplyCascadeArtCenter Classes in book binding, pastels, impressionism, water-based media, pencil drawing, painting, calligraphy, and more. (150 W Main St, 546-3450, fineartstore.com)
Rochester Folk Art Guild Woodturning lessons, apprenticeships, pottery residencies available. (1445 Upper Hill Rd, Middlesex, rfag.org)
TurkHillCraftSchool Pottery, wheel throwing, sculpture classes and workshops. (1000 Turk Hill Rd #195, Fairport, 223-1930, turkhillcraftschool.com)
Visual Studies Workshop Courses in photography, digital imaging, film, more. (31 Prince St, 442-8676, vsw.org)
Weavers Guild of Rochester Classes in weaving, bead-making, paper-making, fabric-dyeing, knitting, more. (254 N Goodman St, Village Gate, 461-1770, weaversguildofrochester.org)
Woods Unlimited Craftsmen Carving classes. (18 Scenic Circle, 594-WOOD, woodsunltd.com)
Cooking
New York Wine and CulinaryCenter Technique-based, multi-class workshops; single-session "signature" classes; tasting workshops. (800 S Main St, Canandaigua, 394-7070, nywcc.com)
Seasonal Kitchen Home-cooking and hospitality classes by Dick and Ginger Howell. (610 W Bloomfield Rd, Pittsford, 624-3242)
TopsCookingSchool Demonstration-based and hands-on classes, plus special classes for kids and healthy eating. (3507 Mt. Read Blvd, Greece, 663-5449, topsmarkets.com)
Wegmans Hands-on classes focused on specific dishes or ingredients, plus kids' classes. (3195 Monroe Ave, Pittsford, 249-0278, wegmans.com)
Dance
Arthur Murray Instruction in swing, salsa, waltz, cha cha, rumba, fox trot, hustle, mambo, samba, tango, merengue. (1164 E Ridge Rd, Irondequoit, 266-4540 | 1225 Jefferson Rd, Henrietta, 424-4310 | cutarug.com)
Barn Shakers Clogging classes held weekly. (Gates Presbyterian Church, 1049 Wegman Rd, 426-1186, barnshakers.clogdancing.com)
Bush Mango Drum & Dance West African drum and dance classes. (34 Elton St, 235-3960, bushmango.com)
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Weekly Irish dance workshops. (McGinnity's, 534 W Ridge Rd, 342-2756, irishrochester.org)
Country Dancers of Rochester Dances every week, with lessons preceding. (1124 Culver Rd, rochestercontra.com)
Dance Biz Tap, jazz, ballet, ballroom, hip-hop, Irish step, wedding prep, country line, more. (1742 Long Pond Rd, 254-0300)
Dance Encounters Co-Op Classes, private lessons, workshops, and group instruction in various ballroom, hip-hop, swing, and nightclub styles. (1115 E Main St, 473-8550, dancencounters.com)
Garth Fagan Dance Classes for children, teens, and adults. (garthfagandance.org)
Goddess Hour Dance & Fitness Studio Classes in belly dance, hip-hop, cardio strip/exotic dancing, and yoga. (1470 Monroe Ave, 224-0277, goddesshour.com)
Inikori Dance Studio and Fitness Private and group lessons in salsa, cha cha, mambo, bachata, Afro-Latin jazz. (1060 University Ave, 271-6840, rocsalsa.com)
Park Avenue Dance Co. Modern dance learned through choreography and performance. (15 Vick Park B, 461-2766, parkavenuedancecompany.org)
Rikud Rochester Israeli folk dancing; beginners welcome. (JCC, 1200 Edgewood Ave, 442-1670, home.rr.com/rikudrochester)
Rochester Area Federation of Western Square and Round Dance Club Various locations for all levels of lessons. (squaredancingrochester.org)
Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network Monthly events held with lessons preceding. (58 E Main St, Webster, 727-4119, rochesterzydeco.com)
Rochester Scottish Country Dance Group Workshops held every week. (South Presbyterian Church, 4 E Henrietta Rd, rochscottishdancers.org)
Rochester Swing Dance Network Wedding dance instruction, private lessons, group swing, and more. (Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church, 1200 S Winton Rd, 244-2815, rochesterswingdance.com)
Snowbelt Morris Ritual dance; beginners welcome at weekly practices that lead to performances. (Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Ave, snowbeltmorris.org)
Spins Dance Studio Classes in tap, ballet, jazz, Broadway theatre dance, hip-hop, and more. (2503 Browncroft Blvd, 248-9330, spinsdancestudio.com)
Tango Café Dance Studio Tango, swing, salsa, ballroom, belly dance, more. (389 Gregory St, 271-4930, tangocafedance.com)
General Interest
GeneseeCountryVillage Adult and youth classes covering arts and music, gardening, nature, textile arts, and more. (1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford, 538-6822, gcv.org)
Greece Community Education Huge variety of classes, from dog training to karate to tatting. (865-1010, Greece.k12.ny.us/commed)
Jewish Community Center of Rochester Classes in Yiddish, painting, theater, folk dancing, more. (1200 Edgewood Ave, 461-2000, jccrochester.org)
Monroe BOCES Variety of classes, including professional development. (377-4660, Monroe.edu)
PenfieldParks and Recreation Programs Classes ranging from real estate sales to tai chi to wine tasting. (340-8655, penfield.org)
Rochester Info Courses Diverse set of classes, from personal fulfillment (speed reading, overcoming anxiety) to web design to financial planning, taught either in-person or online. (256-1960, ed2go.com/infocourses)
RochesterMuseum & ScienceCenter Variety of adult education opportunities ranging from arts and crafts to more scientific pursuits. (657 East Ave, 697-1942, rmsc.org)
Rush-Henrietta Continuing Education Classes range from fitness to home and garden to computer to sports. (359-7805, rhnet.org)
YMCA of Greater Rochester Classes in sports and fitness, crafts, performing arts, more. (546-5500, rochesterymca.org)
Health & Wellness
Absolute Yoga and WellnessCenter Multi-level yoga instruction offered in private, group, and therapy sessions. (800 Ayrault Rd, Perinton | 713 Monroe Ave, 223-4290, absoluteyoga.info)
Atman Yoga Studio Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga. (34 Elton St, 305-0406, atmanyogastudio.com)
Breathe Yoga & Juice Bar Vinyasa and hatha yoga; pilates. (19 S Main St, Pittsford, 248-9070, breathe-yoga.com)
Downtown Fitness Club Group fitness classes, yoga, pilates. (50 Chestnut St, 756-4090, downtownfitnessclub.com)
GymnasticsTrainingCenter Offers adult and child gymnastic classes. (2051 Fairport Nine Mile Rd, Penfield, 388-8686, gtc-rochester.com)
IyengarYogaSchool of Rochester Specializes in Iyengar yoga. (80 Rockwood Pl, 442-4080, iysr.com)
Kinections Teaches dance/movement therapy. (718 University Ave, 473-5050, kinections.com)
Molly's Yoga Corner Hatha yoga, tai chi, qi gong, reflexology, and more. (220 Turk Hill Pk, Faiport, 223-8270, mollysyoga.com)
Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage Full-time and part-time instruction in licensed massage therapy. (302 N Goodman St, 241-0070, massage-school.com)
Open Sky Yoga Multi-level hatha/iyengar yoga taught in groups or in private. (5 Arnold Pk, 244-0782, openskyyoga.com)
Penfield Fitness & Racquet Club Group exercise classes, swimming lessons, pilates. (667 Panorama Tr, 586-7777, penfieldfitness.com)
Physikos Movement Body and movement classes. (302 N Goodman St E-201, 271-8293, physikosmovement.com)
The Purple Door Offers a variety of healing-based and spirituality-based classes and workshops. (1707 Crittenden Rd, 427-8110, purpledoorsoulsource.com)
Retreat House Yoga and alternative health classes and seminars. (693 East Ave, 271-7690, retreathousemassage.com)
WebsterAquaticCenter Classes for kids and adults, including water exercise programs. (875 Ridge Rd, Webster, 670-1087, webstercommunitypartnership.com)
Language/Literature
Language Intelligence Training in many languages. (16 N Goodman St, 244-5578, languageintelligence.com)
Writers & Books Wide variety of classes and workshops for writers and editors. (740 University Ave, 473-2590 x108, wab.org)
Music
Atlas Music Private lessons available on all instruments, all styles of music. (1764 Empire Blvd, 671-2020, atlasmusic.net)
Bella Voce Studio for the Performing Arts Voice and piano lessons for all ages. (66 N Main St, 377-1720, bellavocestudios.com)
EastmanCommunityMusicSchool Offers private, "buddy," group, and ensemble classes in most instruments, including voice. (26 Gibbs St, 274-1400, esm.rochester.edu/community)
Echo-Tone Music Lessons in guitar, drums and bass. (571 South Ave, 454-2160)
GilCoterieAcademy Offers singer-songwriter classes, private composition, more. Teaches music as a language in addition to courses in five foreign languages. (3300 Monroe Ave, 264-1120, thenewconservatory.com)
HochsteinSchool of Music Music and dance instruction, from private lessons to jazz studies, conducting, and composition. (50 N Plymouth Ave, 454-4596, hochstein.org)
House of Guitars Music instruction, various instruments. (645 Titus Ave, 544-3500)
HungnessSchool of Music Instruction in voice, guitar, piano, drums, bass, sax, harmonica, mandolin, more. (161 Norris Dr, 506-9437, hungness.com/school.htm)
JammersSchool of Music Instrument instruction for individuals and small groups, plus classes in theory, composition, recording and more. (2316 Lyell Ave, Gates, 247-9180, jammersmusic.com)
The KanackSchool Variety of lessons available to kids. Adults can take traditional private classes in violin, cello, piano, voice, guitar, flute. (2077 S Clinton Ave, 244-6910, kanackschoolofmusic.com)
Miss Kate's Piano Studio Piano lessons and private instruction in music composition. (Brighton, off Elmwood near Twelve Corners, 244-5556, misskatespianostudio.com)
Music Lovers Instruction on various instruments. (2229 Monroe Ave, 242-0980, mlovers.com)
The Music Store, Inc Weekly music lessons in bass, guitar, drums, piano, violin, viola, cello. (18 E Main St, Webster, 265-1210, themusicstoreinc.com)
Northfield Music Studios Classes in guitar, bass, piano, and drums. (50 State St, Pittsford, 586-4662, northfieldmusicstudios.com)
Stutzman's GuitarCenter Lessons in acoustic, electric, and bass guitar, mandolin, fiddle, violin, and harmonica. (4405 Ridge Rd West, 352-3225, stutzmansguitarcenter.com)
*If your business offers educational opportunities and you would like to be included in the directory, contact Features Editor Eric Rezsnyak at eric@rochester-citynews.com.