INSTRUCTORS
ART INSTRUCTION
Dottie Stanley
Art Instructor
Dottie Stanley has always loved to paint dramatic lights and shadows to achieve an atmospheric quality in my work portraying the time of day, temperature and mood. Her paintings have been exhibited in museums in San Diego and Palm Desert, California, and in collections in Mexico, Europe and throughout the United States. Dottie is a Fellow of the American Artists Professional League and a member of other national organizations including The Allied Artists of America and the Oil Painters of America. She is a past board member of the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild; past president of the La Jolla Art Association; president emeritus and founder of the Allied Artists Association of San Diego; and a past member of other art organizations including the Art Students League of New York, The Market Street Society of San Diego, and the San Diego Art Institute. Dottie was selected as one of the four best artists in the Artists Guild of the San Diego Museum of Art and featured in an exhibit at the museum. Her art has won awards in regional, national and international juried shows, including New York exhibitions and the of Artists Council exhibition of Palm Springs Museum of Art. Dottie is a featured artist in the book Best of American Oil Artists (Vol.II) and one of ten leading San Diego art stars for 2018, selected by San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine in its January 2018 edition.
Beverly Brock
Art Instructor
Whether in photography or acrylic pour painting, my
work brings my vision of nature vividly to life. My
favorites: nature and creative — a hummingbird searching for dinner, pouring paints together to create an abstract, or the luminous detail of a flowering cactus.
I am active in photography clubs where we work
together to help each other. Sharing creative ideas and taking input has helped me grow and win many awards.
I started a business, Kidnapper of Images,
photographing wedding and parties. I received a
Certificated from New York Institute of Photography
2020.
Beverly Brock: bbrock55@yahoo.com
BRIDGE/MAHJONG
Scott Farr
Bridge Instructor
Scott Farr has been instructing students on all levels of bridge playing since 2006. He joined the Center as an instructor in 2008 and offers three levels of instruction---from the basics of bidding to intermediate instruction including hand evaluation, competitive bidding--and finally to advanced bidding methods, cue bids and defensive bidding and playing. Scott has taught at numerous venues in San Diego including San Diego State University, La Jolla Country Club, Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club and Fairbanks Ranch Country Club. Since 2008, he has been the Duplicate Bridge Director at the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club. Scott is an attorney and received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1974. He is an avid tennis player and manager of the La Jolla Tennis Club. His eclectic talents also include the fact that for the past 30 years he has been a touring magician.
Carol Cohn
Mah Jongg Instructor
Carol Cohn learned Mah Jongg as a young girl in high school. She has been instructing students since 2014 and offers beginning and intermediate classes. Carol has taught at the Nobel Recreational Center in La Jolla and teaches private lessons at her home. She participates in many of the local tournaments; has gone on several Mah Jongg cruises to the Caribbean; and plays in tournaments in Las Vegas, New Orleans and Scottsdale. Carol often plays at the community centers and Meet-Ups in San Diego. Carol is a retired teacher and uses many techniques she has learned as a teacher to teach the game of Mah Jongg.
COOKING
Nikki Schaeffer
Chef
Chef Nikki Schaeffer brings over 30 years of culinary experience, including working at Wolfgang Puck’s ObaChine in Seattle and the four-star Silks at the Stonehedge Inn in Massachusetts. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Baking & Pastry Science, she is known for her refined techniques and approachable style. Nikki has partnered with the La Jolla Community Center on senior meal programs and teaches engaging, hands-on cooking classes for all levels. Her classes focus on seasonal California cuisine, holiday menus, and elegant pastry. Passionate about empowering others in the kitchen, Chef Nikki makes every class a warm, fun, and delicious experience.
CULTURAL ADVISORS
Dottie Stanley
ART: Artists Exhibits
Dottie Stanley has always loved to paint dramatic lights and shadows to achieve an atmospheric quality in my work portraying the time of day, temperature and mood. Her paintings have been exhibited in museums in San Diego and Palm Desert, California, and in collections in Mexico, Europe and throughout the United States. Dottie is a Fellow of the American Artists Professional League and a member of other national organizations including The Allied Artists of America and the Oil Painters of America. See full bio above under Art Instruction.
Patrick Anderson
OPERA: Co-Director Opera Wednesday
Patrick co-directs Opera Wednesday along with Derek Legg. A native of Los Angeles, California, he has been a professional opera singer for many years. Previously, he performed for several seasons with Opera a la Carte, Los Angeles’ premier Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company. Recently, he participated in operatic productions by the Pacific Lyric Association. Since relocating to San Diego, Patrick has sung with several notable choral ensembles, including Pacific Camerata and Bach Collegium in San Diego. He is the director of the North County Opera Soiree, a group of professional musicians who present classical concerts to benefit local charities.
CULTURAL EDUCATION
Chris Burns
Music Appreciation
Chris has taught “history through music” for over 35 years, originally focusing on world history through the lens of classical music. At Valley Center Pauma Unified School District he served as a Music Demonstration Teacher, Mentor Teacher for Music, and Music Teacher for the Advanced Learner Program. He also taught classes at UCSD and SDSU Extension; classes included “Using Music to Enhance Learning,” ”Basic Musicianship,” and “Classical Music for the Educator.”
DANCE
Zumba
Ruth Karhu
As a teacher of dance for more than 20 years, and a certified Zumba instructor for 10 years, I believe that dance is in everyone. It just has to be brought to the surface. You must continually challenge yourself and pursue your passions. Dance, for me, is a form of pure sensual self-expression which brings joy, and a feeling of well-being. My passion for dance enables me to be the very best I can - training, teaching, or performing. Sharing my passion is my philosophy. If you share passion, your students will perform with passion.
I believe in starting each day with a positive thought. My other interests include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, learning Spanish & spending time with my granddaughter, Abbey. I live in La Jolla with my husband John and my English Cream Golden Retriever Mila.
FITNESS
Camille de Baranoff
Stretch Ballet
Miss Camille’s international professional ballet experience in Europe and The United States includes training and performance under:
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-Kathryn Irey, Prima Ballerina, Deutsche Ballet am Rhine, and Master Teaching Artist, School of Music and Dance at San Diego State University;
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-Thor Sutowski, Principal and Member, National Ballet of Norway, Hamburg State Opera Ballet, Ballet de Geneve, US National Ballet, and San Diego Ballet; and
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-Trystan Merrick, Principal, Member, and Artistic Director, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Paris Opera Ballet, and American Ballet Theater.
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Miss Camille is a certified Professional Ballet Instruction Partner of Repetto Ballet Global HQ, 2nd Arrondissment, Paris, in collaboration with Opera de Garnier, Place Vendome, Paris.
Taylor Newcomb
Strength and Balance
Taylor Newcomb is a clinical kinesiologist at Reneu Health with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, specializing in movement science. She is passionate about helping people move their bodies at any age or ability level. In her classes, Taylor encourages participants to move at their own pace while still challenging themselves. Her approach is rooted in making movement accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and dancing. Taylor brings energy and compassion to every session, aiming to inspire confidence through movement.
IPAD/IPHONE
Hollie Berry
Tech Instructor
Hollie Berry is a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a background in business, education, and creative arts. Raised by a tech-savvy father, she grew up comfortable with computers and digital tools, which naturally evolved into a passion for helping others navigate technology with ease. Hollie has built and streamlined multiple businesses by leveraging tech to work smarter, not harder, and now teaches others to do the same. Her teaching style is warm, encouraging, and highly practical—focusing on making tech approachable, not intimidating. Whether she’s guiding seniors through the iPad or helping them feel confident using their iPhones, Hollie meets each student where they are. She also teaches yoga and wellness classes at the center and believes learning should feel empowering and fun.
LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION
Paola Baracco
Italian: Beginner & Intermediate
Paola Baracco was born and raised Torino in northern Italy and graduated from the Universita degli Studi di Torino with a Literary Arts Master’s degree. She also received a Master’s in Communications Technique from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Paola held positions for 12 years as director of client relationships for several worldwide advertising agencies in Italy. She moved to San Diego in 2004, where she taught Italian at the Italian Cultural Center, in elementary schools and for La Jolla Community Center. Paola enjoys reading, painting and yoga.
Olga Fabrick
Spanish 1, 3 &
Café Español
Olga is a native Spanish speaker and was born in Cuba. She was introduced to several languages under the age of 10 and acquired English in New York City. Curious about how the brain acquires language, she majored in Linguistics with a minor in Cognitive Psychology and immersed herself in psycholinguistics. She graduated from University of California and was awarded a Ford Foundation scholarship for graduate study in Linguistics. Taking a turn in her career, she discovered the dilemma of profoundly autistic children and their inability to acquire age appropriate language and trained in special education to address these children. During that time, she had the distinction of teaching the first Spanish maintenance bilingual class for upper elementary grades in the Los Angeles School District and was eventually promoted to Director of Bilingual Education for a large school district in southern California. After 13 years in education, she decided to pursue law, graduated from law school and open a law firm practicing family law. Olga practiced law for 30 years and recently retired. She enjoys teaching conversational Spanish—returning to her love of language acquisition.
Brock Fisher
French Conversation
My wife and I are retired. We travel to Paris often. We are learning French as adults. We find that conversing in French is the best way to learn the language. We welcome anyone interested is speaking French at any level to our conversation group each Tuesday for a no-pressure ninety minute conversation in French.
MEDITATION
Sasha Sebald
Brain Health Course
Sasha is a brain longevity therapy specialist who received a certification from the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation and has a B.S. in Cognitive Science. Sasha’s meditation class focuses on the practice of meditation and methods to ensure deep relaxation and stress reduction. This class is offered separately but components of it are also offered in her five-part “Brain Health” series that presents medical and scientific research behind brain health and includes information on how dietary and lifestyle changes to help reduce and perhaps prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As well as stress reduction, she provides practical information on exercise, diet, gut health and interactive brain stimulation methods to help reduce and/or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Jeanne Rawdin
Brain Health Course
Professional Video Producer and Narrator
Former TV News Journalist
16-Time Emmy Award Winner
Writing Coach
Senior Volunteer and Advocate
B.A. English
Jeanne has more than 30 years of experience as a journalist, video storyteller, writer and editor. For most of her career, she worked as a newscast producer and on-air reporter for the San Diego network affiliates of NBC, ABC and CBS, as well as Cox Communications Channel 4. She garnered 16 Emmy Awards throughout her career as a TV journalist.
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As a freelance video producer and freelance writer, she’s worked with a variety of clients including book authors, entrepreneurs, nonprofits and corporations. As her career progressed, she developed a passion for senior issues and health maintenance for older adults. That passion drove her to volunteer work as a hospice and senior volunteer, while pursuing personal studies in anti-aging and wellness research. That led to a deep desire to educate others in brain health and lifestyle changes to increase healthspan in older adults.
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Her most recent position as Communications Manager for UC San Diego’s Sanford Stem Cell Institute has exposed her to the vast possibilities of anti-aging and stem cell research that may very likely extend our lives to 100 years and beyond.
BRAIN BOOST
Sofía Puerta Webber
Sound Bath Healing
Sofía Puerta Webber is a bilingual mindfulness and yoga instructor with extensive training in trauma-sensitive practices. She specializes in working with seniors and parents, teachers and teenagers, creating gentle, inclusive spaces for healing and inner calm. Her sessions integrate guided meditation, breathwork, and sound healing using crystal bowls and traditional instruments. Sofía is passionate about supporting emotional resilience, better sleep, and nervous system balance through simple, accessible tools. She draws from years of experience teaching in wellness centers, schools, and hospitals. Join her to explore mindfulness and sound in a way that nurtures both body and spirit. www.sofiapuerta.com
T'AI CHI
Sherlie Miller
Qi Gong Style T’ai Chi
Sherlie has been practicing T’ai Chi since the 1980s and began teaching T’ai Chi and Qi Gong in 1998. Her classes feature the short form of T’ai Chi—a gentle, meditative movement form that is easily learned and practiced.
Victor Nguyen
T'ai Chi
Victor has been working in the holistic health, wellness and spiritual field since 2006 and is a California certified massage therapist, KRI certified Kundalini yoga teacher, Litios Christ light priest, holistic chef and Tai Chi instructor. His holistic health approach addresses not just the physical body but also the emotional and mental bodies as well thus affecting the whole spirit as a whole. He’s been trained to be psychologically sensitive when working with others. His classes can be challenging at times yet still approachable, fun and transformative.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with dog Scout, scuba diving and taking naps on the beach.
WRITING
YOGA
Ann Marie Welsh
Deep Flow Yoga
Anne Marie is certified as an instructor at the 500-hour level by Deep Yoga School of Healing Arts and the National Yoga Alliance in 2010. She continues to train with Bhava Ram and Laura Plumb, the founders of Deep Yoga. She has also trained extensively in Yoga therapeutics, Vedic therapy; and Happy Back Yoga with Ram, physical therapist Rachel Krentzman, Gary Kraftsow, and others. Anne Marie has been practicing yoga since 1999 and is an author, editor and writing coach. She received an M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature and drama. She also was the San Diego Union Tribune’s dance and theatre critic for 25 years until Deep Yoga transformed her life and work. Ann also teaches Meditation for Deep Healing at the Center.
Victor Nguyen
Chair Yoga
Victor has been working in the holistic health, wellness and spiritual field since 2006 and is a California certified massage therapist, KRI certified Kundalini yoga teacher, Litios Christ light priest, holistic chef and Tai Chi instructor. His holistic health approach addresses not just the physical body but also the emotional and mental bodies as well thus affecting the whole spirit as a whole. He’s been trained to be psychologically sensitive when working with others. His classes can be challenging at times yet still approachable, fun and transformative.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with dog Scout, scuba diving and taking naps on the beach.
Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa
Kundalini Yoga
Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa is a yoga teacher, trainer and healer. She directed an Ashram in Mexico City with her husband, SS Babaji Singh and became a Kundalini Yoga teacher/trainer in 2002. She is a Reiki Master, certified in EMF and is a 3rd level Sat Nam Rasayan teacher and healer. As a trainer, she had a privilege to participate with a great team of teachers in Mexico and the US. The most important and honorable participation she has had in Sikh Dharma worldwide was to help in the revision of the translation in Spanish of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, who was accepted in the different Thakats of India, including the Golden Temple. Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa was part of the board of directors of 3HO in San Diego. She has a Master degree and PhD in Philosophy (Suma Cum Laude) and was also a professional ballerina.
Hollie Berry
Gentle Hatha Yoga
Hollie Berry is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and is currently completing her 500-hour advanced certification. She specializes in gentle Hatha yoga with a focus on breath awareness, mindful movement, and deep relaxation. Hollie has extensive experience teaching seniors and is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive spaces where every student can feel successful and at ease. Her classes often incorporate accessible breathwork, guided meditation, and thoughtful modifications to meet students exactly where they are. With a background in holistic wellness and ongoing training as a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Hollie brings a calming presence to each class, encouraging students to move with intention, breathe with awareness, and leave feeling more balanced—physically, mentally, and emotionally.