Course Listing - by Instructor

Name	Biography
MSFS, CLU ®, ChFC ®, CFP ®, R
Elizabeth Alakszay	Liz is an avid organic gardener, naturalist, quality systems engineer in the pharmaceutical industry, and educator who has been gardening for over 40 years. The Penn State Extension Chester County Master Gardener Coordinator for over 6 years before retiring in 2017. She has also worked at Longwood Gardens continuing education instructor and course designer on vegetable gardening. Liz continues to lecture and hold numerous workshops throughout the region on horticultural topics including growing vegetables, pollinator gardens and landscaping with native plants.
Charlotte Ann Albertson Cooking School	Charlotte Ann Albertson has been directing cooking classes in Philadelphia and Florida for twenty-seven years. In operation since 1973, her school's enviable status as the area's longest standing, owes much to her unique combination of talent, training and total dedication. A Master's degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania plus graduate studies at Penn's Annenberg School of Communication and Wharton School of Business gives her the skills to both recognize and recruit the finest teachers from the world of food. Extensive travel coupled with classes at prestigious international cooking schools, among them La Varenne and Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, in kitchens in the top European restaurants, a summer at the American Embassy in Switzerland, and Beringer Vineyards in California's Napa Valley, provide her with insight into current food trends. Her position as consultant to food and wine companies, libraries and cultural institutions is further evidence of the high professional esteem in which she is held. She earned the Delaware Valley Restaurant Association's Panache award for her significant contribution to promoting education within the food industry.
Chester County Art Assn
Mita Barot
Mark Bergkvist	Mark is an accomplished, international award-winning photographer. Over 40 years ago Mark got hooked on photography developing black and white film in the darkroom. Today Mark's personal passion is for Landscape Photography and his work is available at many local art shows and galleries. Mark has extensive experience in all areas of photography from Macro, Sports, Portraits, Travel, Nature and video. Mark also teaches photography at several local camera clubs and community groups. Mark is certified if Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED.
Jason Bishop
Bobby Bohrer	Head Golf Professional and Director of Golf at Pickering Valley Golf Club, Phoenixville, since 1987; responsible for all professional golf lessons provided at the club.
Molly Borgese
Tom Borgese
Karen Boyd	Karen Boyd is a Realtor Agent, with the national Accredited Seller Representative designation. She is also a professional certified Accredited Staging Professional (ASP), and helps clients to prepare and market their homes for sale or redesign. Additionally, she is a Pennsylvania Real Estate Board-certified licensed instructor, teaching professional development courses to other PA realtors and brokers. Over the past 8 years Karen has created and hosted home staging workshops for community education programs and has been a featured speaker at several state and regional conferences and colleges, including New York University. Karen is also a published writer on real estate and home staging topics.
Joe Buglio, Piano Instructor
Rich Buoni
Members of the CC Astronomical Society
Kenneth Cadogan	Fourth degree Black Belt Certified by the U.S. Aikido Federation; Certified Women's Self-Defense instructor; 16 years of Martial Arts teaching experience.
Barbara (Bobbi) Caley	For the past 35+ years, Barbara (Bobbi) Caley has taught sign language to people of all ages-- infants, elementary students, high school students, adults, and grandparents. Bobbi has a Master’s degree in Deaf Education and was a teacher of deaf children for ten years before homeschooling her own children. She now works part-time for DeafCAN! a social service agency serving deaf and deaf-blind individuals. In addition, she teaches American Sign Language at Gwynedd Mercy University. Bobbi is deaf from measles she had as a baby.
Richard Calla	Richard Calla has traveled extensively to Italy and has organized and led tour of 3 cities. He is President of Italian language and culture club of 100 members; teacher of Italian at Widener University, Exton; teaher of Italian small group; ESL English tutor of immigrants; public speaker and published author of "Father Injustice."
Francis Caracappa	Francis Caracappa is the senior student (Sihing) at the Martial Arts and Fitness Center in Malvern, PA. He has 10 years of experience in Wing Chun.
Halyna Church	Teaching Night School classes since 1979. Gardening knowledge is from hands on experience, plant merchandising, and Master Gardening certification. Enjoys company of people, plants, and natural world.
Gina Cincotta	The first handmade bracelet Gina Cincotta made was for her Cabbage Patch kid doll. She never stopped creating jewelry from found objects, beads, and wire. She graduated from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, in Silversmithing and Art Education. She owned Silver Wings Studio in Chester Springs for 10 years. She currently makes jewelry in her home studio.
Mark Cole
Linda Collier	Cellar Mistress, Collier's of Centreville
Maureen Collins	Fun and energetic AFAA certified group instructor with 32 years of fitness training experience and 10 different certifications.
Tony Dahm, Associate Broker	Tony Dahm is a Broker/Associate with eXp Realty, LLC. He has been a full-time real estate professional since 2004, having closed over $70 million in sales and more than 240 transactions during that time. Mr. Dahm's background is in Contracts and Contract Negotiations. Prior to making real estate his full-time profession, he spent 21 years writing and negotiating contracts for an engineering firm and a major international software firm. He has also managed rental properties in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Education: - B.S. Widener University, Business Management - M.S. Widener University, Industrial Management. Tony is a real estate instructor at Chester County Night School and Delaware County Community College.
Shawn Dempsey
Jeff Dippel	Jeff is a career art instructor and lifetime calligrapher and designer, involved in signpainting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, and everything art. He is a retired art teacher, having taught for 27 years at East High School in West Chester.
Edmund Dracup	Masters Degree in Financial Services (MSFS), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Financial Planner Practitioner (CFP®), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP), Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC), and Investment Advisor with MML Investors Services, LLC. Ed has over 34 years of relevant experience. Ed Dracup is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC, 100 Sterling Pkwy, #307, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, 717-76791-3300 Edmund J. Dracup, MSFS, CLU ®, ChFC ®, CFP ®, RICP ®, CLTC Partner “Making a Difference for Clients and Communities” 111 East Uwchlan Ave. Exton, PA 19341 484-348-6211 Direct Dial 610-458-7907 (FAX) 717-791-3300 Supervisory Office www.ufinancialgroup.com https://massmutual.box.com/s/1lv7yg6sh1ow94eooh6xj377agtmpce5 https://coverpath.massmutual.com//?fg=Edmund-Dracup-130241 Please note: Orders to buy or sell securities will not be accepted by email or voicemail messages. Registered Representative of and securities offered through MML Investors Services, LLC. (MMLIS). Home office located at 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 (413) 737-8400. Member SIPC (www.sipc.org).
Jay Erb	Jay Erb, a Chester County park ranger and adventure education facilitator, is also the chair of the North Coventry Parks & Recreation Commission. Jay has been involved with challenge course facilitation, environmental education, and resource management since 1998. He's also the founder and Chief Instructor of the Tae Kwon Do Academy, a not-for-profit martial arts school established in 1987.
Roger Gaskill
Brooke George
Craig Greiner	Craig Greiner graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia in 1983. He has been working as a graphic designer and art director in the advertising industry for the past 30 years. In 2000, he started Greiner Communications, a design firm serving various Philadelphia area companies and advertising agencies. Craig has been painting since he was a teenager, studying different methods of painting under many local artists. He has had his paintings displayed in local art shows and had two solo shows in 2014. After many years of being a student, Craig believes he knows what differentiates a good class from a great one, and he looks forward to providing that experience to many new artists.
Phil Haddad	Tai Chi instructor since 2009; studied under Master Charles Brynan of the Pear Garden School of Tai Chi, where he learned the Yang style long form, along with the sword and fan forms. He has been teaching in the adult education program for Chester County Night School for the last five years.
Jan Herbster
Rebecca Hobbs, Esq.	Rebecca A. Hobbs is a Principal with the law firm O?Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C. with offices in Pottstown and Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She focuses her practice on elder law, special needs planning, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and Veteran?s benefits. Rebecca is Certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Political Science from Eastern University. She received her Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law. She is licensed to practice in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Rebecca is an accredited attorney for the preparation, preservation and prosecution of claims for veterans? benefits before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 Rebecca was selected for inclusion by the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in the field of elder law. As the National Director of ElderLawAnswers, she hosts a monthly Podcast and Webinar on elder law and marketing topics. She is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PAELA). She is an Editor on the Editorial Board for the NAELA Journal. As a member the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), she serves as a Liaison for the Young Lawyers Divisor to the Elder Law Section Council. Rebecca is also a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association and the Elder Law Committee.
Julia Inslee	Julie is an English tutor at Delaware County Community College and a dairy sheep farmer in Chester County. For the past couple of years, eager crafters have come to the farm to learn the art of needle felting. My needle felted critters, table mats, and other fiber arts can be found around the county at various craft shows and farmers markets.
Carousel Instructor
Going Fit Instructors
Brannon Johnson	Brannon Johnson has been rowing for over a decade and coaching for the last 6 years. She is a former City National Jr. Champion and was a four-year Division I Collegiate athlete at the University of Texas.
Russ Jones	Russ Jones is a past commander of the Main Line Sail and Power Squadron. He holds a Senior Navigator rating from the United States Power Squadron, a US Coast Guard Captain's License, is a Navy veteran, and also has extensive experience in sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and elsewhere.
Erin Kane
Larry Kaufman	Larry Kaufman has bee teaching Comedy Improv for seven years. He is lso a Driving Instructor who has used Improv on the road with his students. He has learned to think fast with beginner students! He has been performing since 2000 with groups such as Full Circle Improv, Second Circle, and has been the leader of Open Circle for the past eight years. He brings a relaxed but enthusiastic attitude to the teaching of improvisation.
Don Knabb
Robert Korbonits	Bob has a MS in Agriculture Economics and has worked as a Director at the Department of Agriculture in Harrisburg. He has been raising chickens at his home for the past 3 years.
Katie Lembo	Senior Creative Director of Voice Coaches, John Gallogly has been involved in acting, voice work, singing, and performance since he was featured in the "New York's Finest" ad campaign at age nine! John's industry experience, including his work as a professional announcer, allows him to provide broad perspective to our clients. John has been part of the Voice Coaches team since our beginning and has trained and developed demos for aspiring Voice Actors across the country.
Reggie Loper
Mary Ann Maggitti
Isabelle Mattie	Isabelle is a native French speaker from Normandy. She has been a private teacher and tutor in French since 1998 and is currently working as a French tutor at the University as well as a translator and private teacher for various companies in West Chester. She teaches French in elementary schools for after-school programs and is a substitute teacher in local high schools.
Bryan McCloskey	Bryan McCloskey, MS, CASL & W. Marshall Pearson, Attorney at Law Phone: 484-517-4422 Email: bryan@revisionistwealth.com Address: 107 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 102, Downingtown, PA 19335 Website: https://revisionistwealth.com/ Jointly taught from two perspectives. Legal perspective by Marshall Pearson, attorney who has been practicing in the area for over 20 years. Financial perspective from Bryan McCloskey, local retirement and investing advisor, specializing in Retirement accounts and Tax Strategy in retirement, over a decade in the business, local to Downingtown.
Cindy McMenamin
David Megay	David Megay David Megay has been an attorney in Pottstown and Phoenixville for over 31 years. David is currently with O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C. Law firm and specializes in Real Estate and Business Planning
Nick Montalto	United States Power Squadron (USPS) Senior Navigator, Certified Instructor, and assistant Education Officer. Courses taught include Sail, Piloting, Weather, and America's Boating Course. Mr. Montalto has crewed or captained on boats from 17 ft. runabout to 46-foot sailing catamaran.
Velda Moog
Alisa Oswalt	Alisa Oswalt, Reiki Master/ Practitioner/ Speaker/ Workshop Facilitator Alisa is a certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher/Practitioner who teaches all 3 Levels of Reiki. She is a practitioner at RainDance Life Center in Royersford, and started a free monthly Reiki Share Community a few years ago to provide support and opportunities to connect for Reiki practitioners. Alisa started in the health and wellness industry in 2014, and is happy to share her gifts of light, healing, and balance. Alisa has a compassionate presence, and her intuition guides her hands and heart to channel energy where assistance is needed in people and animals to support the body's own healing abilities. Along with traditional Reiki practices that can help bring peace, calm, and relaxation, Alisa includes sound therapy and crystals for in-person as well as distance Reiki sessions. Alisa has also taught personal enrichment courses at local adult night schools in Delaware and Chester Counties for over 15 years. Part of her passion is sharing her knowledge and experiences with others through teaching workshops, with a holistic body, mind, emotions, and Spirit approach, applied in practical ways to everyday life.
Marshall Pearson	W. Marshall Pearson, Attorney at Law Phone: 484-517-4422 Address: 107 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 102, Downingtown, PA 19335 Website: https://revisionistwealth.com Jointly taught from two perspectives. Legal perspective by Marshall Pearson, attorney who has been practicing in the area for over 20 years. Financial perspective from Bryan McCloskey, local retirement and investing advisor, specializing in Retirement accounts and Tax Strategy in retirement, over a decade in the business, local to Downingtown.
Joseph Poon	Chef Joseph Poon's Wok 'n Walk tour of Philadelphia Chinatown has been named one of the best culinary tours in the country on Food Network's "The Best of." His warmth and exuberance have earned him appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the Food Network. Poon has risen from impoverished immigrant to national culinary fame, known for his Asian fusion fare, his ability to carve bulbous watermelons and pumpkins into delicate swans, and his role in opening the center of the region’s Asian community to the outside world. An article in The James Beard Foundation newsletter stated, “The story of how Philadelphia Chef Joseph Poon got to where he is today could be the script of a Hollywood movie.” Philanthropy is a top priority for Chef Poon and he has been recognized for the time and energy he devotes to charitable organizations. In addition to the Asian American Award for Outstanding Community Service, he received the March of Dimes Guy Przybycien Award for commitment to the community through volunteerism and excellence in culinary arts in 2004, as well as the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relation’s Human Rights Award for Community Service, the Center City Proprietors Association first Real Small Business Award for Community Service for his philanthropic work, the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Community Service Honoree, the “Nice Touch Award” from the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, a Harvest Award from Philabundance and in April of 2011 Chef Poon was honored to receive CCP’s Community Philanthropist Award.
Monica Rhoten	AHA Certified Instructor with 13 years CPR teaching experience
Camilo Rodrigues	Angela has a bachelor degree in Education of Languages from La Salle University in Colombia and a Master Degree in Human Resources and Employment Relations from Penn State University. I have been working for banking / finance as small business consultant for around five years in Philadelphia area and California Orange County Market.
Art Roman	Art Roman - While attending The University of Delaware studying Botany, yes, Botany… Art worked as a prep-cook and server in a nearby retirement home. This is where his journey with and the love of food began… both while studying propagation techniques and the acidity of the soil in which zinnias thrive. He was bitten by the “food bug” and for the next several years gained knowledge in many aspects of the food world. Art worked at a bagel shop, gourmet pizza restaurant, and possibly a dozen or so other restaurants in between. For the past four years, he owned along with his business partner Mark Bergkuist, The Corner Store Café in Unionville, Pennsylvania. Art was the chef creating everything from homemade breakfast treats (he really likes to bake), to gourmet soups, salads, and sandwiches, including a very popular Brunch menu where on Sundays, reservations were highly recommended at The Café. Always eager to learn all there is to know about food and the like, Art surrounds himself with almost two-thousand cookbooks in his library and several dozen different magazines delivered monthly in which he cooks from, honing his skills and furthering his passion.
Matt Schillizzi	Co-owner and Tour Director, City Food Tours. Eric Matzke is a self-proclaimed food nerd. From his study of sustainable agriculture and economic botanicals in college to advanced pastry courses at The Philadelphia Restaurant School, he has an insatiable appetite to learn about delicious foods. Eric has a solid background in not only wine, beer, cheese, and chocolate, but also Brazilian Rodizio cuisine and Aphrodisiac foods. Eric has extensive tour-guide experience and has planned events for non-profits and convention groups across the US. He received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Zoology from Eastern Illinois University and his Masters in Fine Arts at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Mike Simmons
Michael Skiff	Michael Skiff, CFP®, ChFC® is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory, and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC • 5001 Louise Drive, Suite 300, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 • 717-791-3300.
Tom Temple	Owner-Operator, Woodcraft of Downingtown, PA
Touriffic Travel 610-544-6222
Linda Valdiserri
Heather Wadsworth	Heather Wadworth is a certified group fitness instructor who has worked in the field of group exercise for over 17 years. She is also a certified pilates instructor, a licensed Zumba instructor, a certified water aerobics instructor and an Arthritis Foundation exercise and aquatics group instructor. Heather is owner and director of GOING Fit, Inc., a company that sends certified, trained and insured group exercise instructors to different sites to teach exercise classes, particularly to retirement communities for the 55 + and elementary and pre schools for children's programs. All of GOING Fit exercise classes are based are Arthritis Foundation-friendly.
Pam Walsh
Linda Watjen
Tina Welsch	Tina graduated with a college degree in translation from the University of Saarland in Germany and has been working as a freelance translator in German, French and English and has translated for various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. She is also a private German tutor. She has lived in Germany for over a decade and is a native speaker.
Nancy White	computer instructor at Main Line School Night in Radnor, PA and Delaware County Community College in Media, PA and loves to teach others how to make the very best use of technology for life and work. Find Nancy's contact info at www.partnercomputing.com. Call her at 610-357-1525 or email nwhite@partnercomputing.com
Paul Wilburn	Professional dance instructor since 1985. Owner of Cut-A-Rug DJ Dance Enterprises since 1993.