Ballroom Dancing (Todos Dance & Fitness Studio, Natick, MA)
“In the lessons, I learned various ballroom dances including Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot. By taking these lessons, I have improved my dancing skills and increased my confidence in social dance parties.”
Country Western Line Dancing (Arlington Community Education)
“I am frequently reminded of how fortunate I am to be able to do this demanding exercise at the age of 80. We learned some new combinations of steps that demanded a lot of memorization and coordination, so the course continues to give me an excellent form of cognitive exercise as well. I am very grateful for the Dickson Fund’s supporting me in pursuing this highly enjoyable and healthy activity.”
Fiddle Hell Massachusetts (Westford, MA)
“With hundreds of participants and a wealth of workshops to choose from, it was an incredible environment for learning, practicing, challenging one’s self, and connecting with others. My time at FH not only exposed me to a range of new tunes from diverse traditions, but also motivated me to continue practicing and playing more consistently.”
Ballroom Dancing (Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Burlington, MA)
“I have learned to dance with grace and style. Also, to move with elegance and poise. My biggest accomplishment is that it has helped me with my fear of going to a social event on my own.”
Saxophone (Lexington Community Education, Lexington, MA)
“The instructor tells me my playing has definitely improved over the course of the year. I know I can play faster than I used to, and I am doing a better job at sight reading, and at following the rhythm indicated by the score. At the end of this year, I joined a community band where all of these skills have enabled me to play up to the standards of the group.”
Guitar (Guitar Center, Nashua, NH)
“The music course I’m taking at the Guitar Center is an ongoing course. I have been learning music theory, writing and composing bass lines for songs using scales, modes, arpeggios (we have 2 unnamed songs thus far), left hand fretting technique, right hand plucking technique, articulations and dynamics, and ear training.”
Piano Lessons (private instruction)
"We focused on three areas: sight reading, with attention to tempo, fingering, and coordination between left and right hands; Ear-training and transposing; and intervals and chords."
Baroque Ensembles (Longy School of Music, Cambridge)
"Through taking this course I was able to improve my knowledge and skill in interpretation of French Baroque music, which demands a special style and playing technique. Also, I enjoyed becoming acquainted with the work of a composer previously unknown to me."
Jin Yun Dance (Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association)
"Yun is the inner feeling behind a movement. It is deeply connected to the dancer’s breathing and state of mind and uniquely reflects a performer's personality."
Country Western Line Dancing (Arlington Community Education)
"Country Western Line Dancing is good for preventing cognitive decline and improving balance and coordination in older people…It taught the basics but students mastered about ten dances over the course of the nine weeks. The instructor was very experienced in teaching people of limited talent."
"We learned five challenging new dances in six weeks. The course continues to give me an excellent form of both physical and cognitive exercise."
Ballroom Dance (Todos Dance and Fitness Studio, Needham, MA)
"During the lessons, I learned the basics of dancing Jive and Quicksteps. I enjoyed the lessons very much."
Chamber duo sessions (Powers Music School, Belmont, MA)
"My baroque flutist partner and I played several of Chauvon's Duets...my appreciation of, and knowledge of French Baroque music continues to grow."
Line Dancing (Cambridge Center for Adult Education)
"Line Dancing has continued to provide stimulation, physical challenge, exercise, and balance training...I have noticed a significant increase in skill over the time I have been taking it."
Viola da gamba lessons (Powers Music School, Belmont, MA)
"In my lessons, I worked on pieces for pardessus (originally for flute or recorder) and basso continuo...I am still learning how to adapt flute and recorder music...to that of a bowed string instrument."