General Info

In this course you will be presented with an overview of the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692, one of the most intriguing, yet chilling periods of American history. The presentation will include discussion of what may have led to the witch trials, as well as the victims, the accusers, the leaders of justice and the town of Salem itself. We will also explore how modern-day Salem has become a popular travel destination known as “The Witch City” along with helpful tips for visiting.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

This one-hour program explores the broader meaning of the Underground Railroad—a secret network that helped enslaved individuals escape to freedom—and highlights Bucks County’s essential role. You will learn how the railroad was organized and hear about the heroic people who made it possible. You will also learn about the railroad’s hidden stops in our region (including some you can still visit in nearby Yardley, Pennsylvania) and gain an understanding of the significance of the historic Slate Hill Cemetery in Lower Makefield Township, PA.

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This class, with one session per month, is designed to offer community—a place to break bread together and to discuss the pressing issues of the day. Each session will feature a delicious, freshly prepared meal (check website for details), courtesy of Pastiamo Pasta Bar, followed by a lecture from a renowned speaker, and then a group discussion. We hope you will join us for this timely class.

Session A: Oct. 5: DOUGLAS G. MORRIS, law professor and author, will speak on resistance before and during the Nazi regime, 1933– 1945. The Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer rejected Nazi racism. In his talk, Douglas Morris will show that Bonhoeffer’s political resistance was flawed. He neglected the principle of equality under secular law, which the Nazi regime relentlessly attacked. And his ambivalence towards Jews risked exposing them to increased dangers. The dilemma was that Bonhoeffer’s faith stirred his anti-Nazism but also set its limits.

Session B: Nov. 2: MICHAEL BERNSTEIN, President, The College of New Jersey, will speak on the current state of public higher education. Public higher education faces mounting pressures: a “demographic cliff ” is shrinking enrollments, state disinvestment has undermined college operating budgets, tuition and student debt continue to rise, and public confidence in higher education has eroded. With special attention to New Jersey, this talk examines the intersecting financial, political, and historical forces reshaping the mission and future of public institutions of higher learning.

Session C: Dec. 7: RET. JUDGE PHILIP CARCHMAN will speak on the history of school segregation and key Supreme Court decisions that shaped the nation’s path toward desegregation. In 1896, the Supreme Court, in Plessy v. Ferguson, endorsed segregation and established the doctrine of “Separate but Equal.” Fifty-eight years later, the Court, in Brown v. Board of Education, declared that doctrine unconstitutional. The road from Plessy to Brown was not straight but involved a carefully designed strategy to attack Plessy and ultimately overrule it and rid the nation of court-sanctioned segregation. This lecture will trace the history of the Supreme Court’s journey and the strategy employed.

NOTE: Lectures will be held at Pastiamo Pasta Bar & Café, in the Princeton Shopping Center, 301 N. Harrison St. Princeton NJ.

Following on from the previous English garden history talk on the landscape garden movement (1675–1750), this talk will focus on the following garden design movements from 1750 to 1935: (1) The Picturesque, (2) The Gardenesque, (3) The Regency, (4) The Victorian, (5) The Italianate and (6) The Arts and Crafts. The Picturesque and Gardenesque garden movements were opposite reactions to the widespread influence of the Landscape Garden movement and sought to re-introduce naturalism and a scale that was more appropriate to well-off homeowners who did not own estate-sized properties. (1750– 1825). These trends led to the Victorian era and the creation of public parks and gardens. Concurrently, the briefly glorious Italianate Garden style arose during this period and, while short-lived in England, had a substantial impact on notable American gardens. (1825–1890). The Arts and Crafts movement section takes particular interest in the long partnership between the remarkable Gertrude Jekyll and the celebrated architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. (1890–1935).

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

You’ll learn about the centuries-old Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile historical “pilgrimage,” which begins in St. Jean Pied du Port, France, traverses northern Spain through Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon, and ends at the Cathedral de Santiago. In 2023 and 2024, nearly 500,000 “pilgrims” from all over the world completed the Camino. A brief history of its origins, traditions, and topography will be accompanied by photos taken recently on Karen’s 12th Camino with her husband, Rich. You will also learn about the practicalities of planning for a trip and why it’s so compelling for so many.

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This semester, the course will discuss philosophers of the distant past as well as those of more modern and contemporary times. We will begin with a number of Medieval philosophers such as Augustine, Maimonides, Avicenna and Averroes, and some contemporary women philosophers whose unique philosophies were inspired by these Medieval philosophers. We will then go into two 20th-century women philosophers, Rosa Luxemburg whose philosophy is rooted in Marxism, and then Simone Weil, a French philosopher whose focus was on the development of a deep spiritual awareness. The course will make the philosophies clear and understandable and show how their perspectives are relevant to our lives today. No need to have taken a previous philosophy course with the instructor.

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Looking to ease your anxieties about public speaking and speak with more confidence and clarity? This highly interactive course provides a safe, supportive space to strengthen your presence and find greater ease in front of an audience. Each week, you will practice both prepared and impromptu speaking, ranging from professional presentations to special occasion remarks and storytelling. Along the way, you will develop techniques in relaxation, vocal variety, body language, and audience connection, supported by warm-ups, improvisation, and delivery exercises. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained practical tools to use at work, in social settings, or wherever your voice needs to be heard.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Looking to ease your anxieties about public speaking and speak with more confidence and clarity? This highly interactive course provides a safe, supportive space to strengthen your presence and find greater ease in front of an audience. Each week, you will practice both prepared and impromptu speaking, ranging from professional presentations to special occasion remarks and storytelling. Along the way, you will develop techniques in relaxation, vocal variety, body language, and audience connection, supported by warm-ups, improvisation, and delivery exercises. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained practical tools to use at work, in social settings, or wherever your voice needs to be heard.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

This class explores the four different personality styles that govern how we view the world. Through the use of a personality assessment profile called the Strength Deployment Inventory, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of each personality style and how it impacts how we address issues in our personal and professional lives. This class also explores how different personalities view conflict and how to deal effectively with difficult people. This class can help you deal more effectively with people in all facets of your life. It will not only help you understand others but it will help you realize what motivates your own personal behavior.
NOTE: If interested in completing an individual personality assessment profile, copies of the profile will be available in class from the instructor for $65 per booklet. The course will cover the fundamentals of these four basic personality types. If you want to understand what motivates your own behavior, you can complete the profile and retain your own personal profile.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

This session will cover the eight Emotions of the Green EI Lens for the Change-Maker. You’re welcome to review and revise all these emotions if you’ve already taken the sessions for this lens or join in and immerse in new ways with the emotions shepherding change in your life, acknowledging the darker dimensions of change and the more constructive experiences of transformational change. Sometimes, we yearn for so much change. It could be the milieu, the work, the leadership, the relational context or ourselves. Sometimes, change seizes our lives and shifts the parameters of our world. In the midst of such transitions, what are the emotional and cognitive signals we need to intuit better and understand more? Are weaker signals as critical as the stronger ones? Which signals may we anchor ourselves to in order to find our way forward? In these sessions, we will grow our understanding of emotional intelligence, in a philosophical, neurobiological, and psychological sense. We will share in the conversations about how our humanity finds such a distinct voice in emotional intelligence, distinct from AI.

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It’s a new world of funerals these days. “Life celebrations” should be full of personality and unique touches. Come learn what’s new in funeral options and explore how to say goodbye in ways that are deeply moving and memorable. Whether for yourself or another, we make getting one’s last wishes down on paper easy. Just as you only live once, you only die once! Contemplating your own funeral is not for the faint of heart, but getting some thoughts into the hands of a trusted loved one can be the best move you never considered making. In this fun and lively workshop, you’ll get an easy-to-complete packet that includes everything that needs to be decided. With humor, support, and discussion, a dreaded task becomes not only easy, but creative and meaningful. It’s a huge gift for your family, and there are so many more interesting options for funerals than ever before. Come learn about them and plan yourself an awesome farewell and have fun in the process.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

What do you want your next stage of life to really look like? Perhaps you haven’t given it much thought yet. Retirement can bring freedom, but also uncertainty. Without the structure of work, many people ask themselves: How will I fill all that new free time? What gives me purpose now? This group discussion-based course is designed for those approaching retirement or already living it. Through guided conversation and reflection, participants will explore ways to discover a new purpose, create meaningful routines, stay connected to friends who are still working, and build new connections—perhaps even within the class. Come ready to share, listen, and learn from others on a similar path. You’ll leave with greater clarity and ideas for shaping a next chapter that truly fits you.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

The Lenape are the people who inhabited New Jersey when Europeans first came. This class will explore what is known about Lenape life before European contact, and the history of the Lenape in the last four centuries.

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We will discuss the kind of information found in historical newspapers, how American newspapers changed over time, and ways to access and examine them for historical research. We will focus on databases that are freely available for New Jersey residents. We will have time for you to try out your own searches with help from the instructor.
NOTE: Students should bring their own internet-capable devices.

Princeton High School 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

In 1945 George R. Stewart published Names on the Land, a study of American history through the names given to the places in our country. This course will take the same approach to place names in New Jersey, learning about the events in the Garden State that led to names as diverse as Passaic, Pennsauken, Perth Amboy, and Princeton.

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Vexillology is the study of flags. We will discuss how and why people started using flags, ways that flags both shape and reflect history, common symbolism used in flags and popular ideas about flag design.

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Historians often portray Eleanor Roosevelt as indifferent to religion or as someone who overcame her “narrow religious upbringing” to become a great humanitarian. This course will challenge those interpretations by looking at how religion shaped Eleanor Roosevelt’s conscience, informing her work as a settlement house volunteer, labor activist, advocate of racial equality, and ultimately as an architect of the international human rights framework. Additionally, it will show how religion can influence public affairs in non-coercive, nonsupremacist ways.

Join Beth Allan and Jesse Gordon Simons at Morven Museum and Garden for a behind-the-scenes experience at this National Historic Landmark. In addition to a private curator-led tour of the current exhibition, Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, Beth and Jesse will share insights into how the exhibition came to life, the research process, and untold moments from behind the scenes. This landmark exhibit includes over one hundred historic artifacts, including manuscripts, paintings, furniture, and personal objects on loan from collections across the country. This enhanced experience offers a unique glimpse into the ongoing work of collecting and curating history at Morven.

The Centennial Countdown: 1928–2028. As the Princeton University Chapel approaches its 100th anniversary in 2028, it stands as more than just a masterpiece of Collegiate Gothic architecture; it is a silent witness to a century of American history. This program peels back the layers of limestone and stained glass to reveal the “Living Stones”—the human experiences, shifting theological tides, and cultural milestones that have defined this sacred space.

Session One: New Jersey: From Indifference to Independence, 1765– 1776—New Jersey lagged behind Massachusetts, Virginia, and the other colonies in moving toward independence until Princeton leaders Richard Stockton, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, and Rev. John Witherspoon helped awaken revolutionary sentiment. Centered at Princeton’s college and First Presbyterian Church, these efforts transformed New Jersey from complacency to commitment to the Revolution. Session Two: Occupied Princeton: Prelude to the Storm—Before the Battle of Princeton, the town endured 26 days of British occupation as soldiers looted homes and businesses, defaced sacred buildings, and terrorized residents. This session explores how Princeton came under occupation, what life was like during those weeks, and how the crisis set the stage for the coming battle. Session Three: The Day Independence Was Saved: Princeton, January 3, 1777—After months of retreat across New York and New Jersey, George Washington’s exhausted, hungry army faced possible collapse. While Trenton restored hope, the decisive strategic victory came on the fields south of Nassau Hall at Princeton. Discover what happened and why the Battle of Princeton helped save the Revolution. NOTE: After the class is completed, students will receive a voucher by email for a guided Battlefield tour. The voucher will be good for tours during May–August 2027.

Session One: There is But One Option for the Winter—Valley Forge—Why did the Continental Army encamp its main force at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777–1778? What was the impact of the choice of this physical location on the army? Rather than focusing on what transpired during the winter and the hardships faced by the army, these questions will be examined revealing a complex set of social, political, economic, and strategic factors dictating that Valley Forge would be the only viable option for the army’s encampment at that time. This geographic choice proved to be of great value to the patriot cause from strategic military and foreign policy perspectives. Session Two: Naked and Starving as They Are—The Experience of the Continental Army During the Valley Forge Encampment—What was the actual experience of the Continental Army during the winter encampment at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777–1778? How was the army that departed Valley Forge in June of 1778 different from the one that arrived there in December of 1777? The physical and the mental hardships endured by the Continental Army during the Valley Forge winter will be examined. The efforts undertaken to supply, care for, and train the army during its six-month encampment will be detailed in order to demonstrate how the Continental Army was transformed into a professional fighting force in a European sense. Care will be taken to examine the diverse constitution of the army during this time period.

Did you know that the United States Constitution is the oldest written constitution in the world? In this course, we will cover recent leading Supreme Court cases—(1) Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which reversed Roe v. Wade—a precedent that held that a right to abortion could be found in the Constitution; (2) Citizens United v. FEC, which opened the door to unrestricted spending on political campaigns; (3) the decision in Trump v. United States, granting broad immunity to the President from criminal prosecution; and (4) the tensions arising from hate speech (upheld in Brandenburg v. Ohio as permissible under the First Amendment) and the growing echo chamber of social media.

The myth of the Old West was created in small part by its actual history, but in large part by the movies. In this class, we will trace the development and the history of Western films from its beginnings to modern times. Students will get to learn about this uniquely American genre and watch some of its greatest films.

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When most people hear the word documentary, they tend to think of heavy films on important topics that deal with serious issues. Of course, it is true that a great many documentary films do just that, but there are also a number of them that tell true, but fun, stories, tackle serious issues in lighthearted ways, or simply provide entertainment. This class takes a look at four great, light documentaries that are as exciting and entertaining as the best fictional feature films.

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Do Broadway divas still exist? You already know the answer if you’ve ever witnessed Bernadette Peters hold a note, Bette Midler own a stage, Hugh Jackman command a crowd, or Sutton Foster stop a show cold. Join us as we explore some past divas and spotlight the rising stars who carry the torch.

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He didn’t look, sound, or act the part, yet Humphrey Bogart was probably the world’s biggest movie star at one time, and remains one of the twentieth century’s most familiar figures today. In this
online course, we will take a close look at this beloved American icon by watching, discussing, and enjoying some of his greatest performances.

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“That Scottish play!” One dare not speak its name backstage, yet Shakespeare’s Macbeth has fascinated and captivated audiences for centuries. The daring blend of murder, sex, witchcraft, and tyranny runs through our cultural bloodstream today, as the timeless Tragedy of Macbeth continues to occasion countless performances and adaptations; its lead roles are at the top of every actor’s bucket list. In this course, we explore the play through various lenses: The historical sources for the eleventh-century King Mac Bethad mac Findlaích; the practical realities of Renaissance Theater; the complexity of the protagonist’s character; the modern appeal to great actors as a touchstone of success; and the richness of the text itself—with its nuances, ambiguities, and literary devices—which has heightened the play’s impact, as a milestone in literary and theatrical history, and when viewed in the socio-political context of Jacobean London. Each session focuses on an act (or part thereof), with excerpts of films and video-recorded stage performances. Following each class (gratis to course registrants), there’s an optional ½-hour session, in which participants may perform (or just listen to) a dramatic reading of the part discussed in class.

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Giuseppe Verdi’s lifelong obsession with Shakespeare resulted in one of the most celebrated creative relationships in music history: Macbeth, the first of Verdi’s Shakespearean trilogy, is a dark psychological dive into unbridled ambition, guilt, and paranoia. In this course, we explore Verdi’s rendition of the Scottish king—driven by Witches’ prophecies and haunted by the ghosts of his murderous political ascent, with his power-mad Lady Macbeth, together determined to seize the throne at any cost. We’ll view and discuss the 2014 videorecording of the Metropolitan Opera’s star-studded performance (Anna Netrebko, Željko Lučić): The simultaneous Italian and English subtitles will help to reinforce (or introduce) Italian-language skills, while deepening appreciation of that interrelationship between music and text which is unique to opera. There are (optional) class trips: to Lincoln Center, NYC, for the Metropolitan Opera’s new production, starring Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen (Sunday, Oct. 11, 3:00 pm); and at the Regal Cinema, North Brunswick, NJ (Oct. 17, 1:00 pm).

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“Sacred, scandalous, and irresistibly alluring!” The Metropolitan Opera’s description of its Samson et Dalila aptly explains why Camille Saint-Saëns’ masterpiece has remained in the standard repertoire for 150 years. This grande finale to French Grand Opera frames the classic biblical conflict between a hero of legendary strength and the seductive Philistine whose beauty ultimately overpowers him. In this class, we’ll study a complete video-recording of the Met’s milestone 2014 production, starring Plácido Domingo as the invinciblewarrior- turned-vulnerable-lover, who quite literally brings down the house in the spectacular conclusion. The simultaneous bilingual (French-English) video-subtitles and libretti will help to reinforce (or introduce) French-language skills, while deepening appreciation of that interrelationship between music and text which is unique to opera. There are (optional) class trips, for the Metropolitan Opera’s flamboyant new production: live-in-HD screening, at the Regal Cinema, North Brunswick NJ (Dec. 5, 12:00 pm); and on stage, at Lincoln Center, NYC (Dec. 12, 8:00 pm).

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You probably know Ancestry.com but are you making full use of FamilySearch.org? This free genealogy website is often overlooked, yet it offers billions of historical records (including some not available on Ancestry), a powerful catalog, a collaborative family tree, a rich research wiki, and newer tools like Full-Text Search that can help uncover records you might otherwise miss. In this four-week Zoom course, you’ll learn how to use FamilySearch alongside Ancestry to strengthen your online research. We’ll cover effective strategies for searching FamilySearch’s historical record collections and catalog, using the FamilySearch Wiki to better understand the time and place of your research, and recognizing when FamilySearch can point you to additional records and repositories beyond its own site. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced researcher, this course will help you use FamilySearch more confidently and effectively.

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A four-week journey through the Romantic era’s forgotten composers, from Ukrainian nationalists silenced by empire, to women whose symphonies went unperformed, to Romantics erased by modernism. Week One defines what made Romantic music Romantic. Week Two explores how geography and nationalism shaped sound. Week Three examines women composers who defied gender confines. Week Four asks who
the canon actually served and what we’ve been missing ever since.

Princeton High School 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Beethoven remarked that “Not ‘brook’ [in German: Bach], but ‘sea’ [Meer] should he be called, because of his infinite, inexhaustible richness in tone combinations and harmonies.” We will dip our toes into this amazing body of music by sampling Little Preludes, Inventions, Preludes and Fugues, Suites, Partitas, and more, while listening to recordings on piano, harpsichord, and clavichord. There is something to be enjoyed by amateurs of all levels in Bach’s music!

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Join us for a Zoom travelogue of fresh encounters with art on view, including Cézanne and Us at the Grand Palais in Paris; Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; Walker Art Center Design Triennial in Minneapolis and more. An informal and informative tour of modern and contemporary art. Tour these exhibits with us and be back in an hour’s time. All levels are invited to join.

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Thinking about buying art but not sure where to start? This course is a practical, insider-friendly guide whether your goal is to build a small but meaningful collection or confidently purchase your first major piece. The focus will be on modern and contemporary art but the principles apply to all periods. You will learn how the art market really operates: how galleries price work, how artists’ careers affect value, how to build relationships with dealers and galleries and what you should consider before making a purchase. We will break down different mediums (painting, sculpture, prints and photography) and how they affect cost and long-term value. We will look at where to buy art whether it be dealers, auctions, or online. We will also cover provenance and why it matters, the importance of condition reports, and how appraisals are done. By the end, you should feel far more confident navigating galleries, art fairs, and auctions and you will better understand how to buy art you love without making costly beginner mistakes.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

The course will examine the history of museums in Europe and the United States beginning with early private collections and cabinets of curiosity. The class will explore the histories of the Louvre, British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Museum of Modern Art, as well as selected history, natural history, and smaller art museums. The course will conclude with a discussion of some of the issues facing museums today including repatriation of artifacts, decolonization, thefts, museum protests, and AI.

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This course introduces modern Chinese poetry through the theme of love, with no prior knowledge of Chinese required. Students will explore key poets and works while learning how to read and appreciate poetry in translation alongside selected original texts. Through guided discussion, the course situates these poems within their linguistic and historical contexts, making them accessible and engaging for a general audience.

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Best known abroad for his commanding novels, Dostoevsky (1821–1881) is the author of equally powerful novellas and stories that showcase his psychological acumen and fierce engagement with sociopolitical issues debated across Europe and Russia in his time. This course focuses on a set of stylistically varied works that span Dostoevsky’s creative career and demonstrate his mastery of the short form. Recommended text: Great Short Works of Fyodor Dostoevsky (Perennial Classics, 2004).
NOTE: Please come to the first meeting prepared to discuss “The Double,” the first and longest work on our list.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Henry James’ The Portrait of a Lady, set in the twilight of the Victorian age but heralding the (troubled) dawn of the modern novel, follows the adventures, if that is what they are, of Isabel Archer, arguably the first American heroine determined to look
at life for herself. We will be as leisurely in reading as James is in recounting what she sees, what she misses or overlooks and what she makes of the chances life offers her.

NOTE: We will read and discuss the novel gradually across four classes. Please read through chapter 14 for our first meeting. No prior knowledge of James’s fiction is required. If you are purchasing the novel, I recommend and prefer Oxford World’s Classics.

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In this interactive six-week course, students will engage with story fundamentals, such as conflict, story structure, and deep point of view. Character goals and motivation will be discussed, as well as how to develop voice and effective dialogue for a novel or a short story. Students will master show versus tell. There will be fun writing prompts and workshopping with other students. Writers of all levels will learn something new and improve their skills. Good habits will be taught and invaluable ways to get words on the page.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

If you want to dive into the screenwriting craft and learn the lessons that they leave out of the books, then this is the class for you. This course explores the screenwriting craft and the conventions of the medium, with the curriculum covering screenplay structure, formatting, characterization, arcs, dialogue, theme, and plenty of other storytelling considerations that factor into the writing process. Students will develop and workshop their own projects, receiving guidance to help them construct their pitches, outlines, and script pages. A list of screenwriting software options will be provided to students, including free programs that can be used for the course.

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039 Writing with Photographs (Virtual) NEW!
Alex Bertram, writer, educator and the
author of Unequivocal Magic (2026),
her debut work of creative nonfiction
Thurs., 6:30–8:30 pm, Oct. 22, 6 sessions
(No class Nov. 26)
$180

Photographs are evocative objects that offer rich, insightful material for the nonfiction writer. In this course, we will explore the work of a wide range of authors, discuss why photographs are important to them, and learn how to use visual inspiration to tell our own stories. Students are encouraged to bring a selection of their own photographs for in-class writing exercises. Suitable for all levels.

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040 Intro to Creative Writing (Virtual)
James D’Angelo, Esq., MFA,
published author, college 
writing instructor, attorney and mediator
Thurs., 7:00–9:00 pm, Oct. 8, 10 sessions
No class Nov. 26
$230

This course introduces the basic elements of writing fiction such as tense, point of view, the balance of exposition, dialogue, and action, as well as story structure. Lessons will include short lectures, class discussions on select sample stories provided, writing from prompts, and critique sessions. Students will undertake the entire writing process from brainstorming and outlining, to drafting, then workshopping, and finally revising. Students will draft, workshop, and revise one or two short pieces and leave the course with strong writerly habits.

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041 Picture Books 101 (In-Person) PHS NEW!
Pooja Makhijani, author of Mama’s Saris
and Bread Is Love. Her work appears in major
outlets, and she’s a 2026 NJ Arts Fellow
Tues., 6:00–7:30 pm, Oct. 13, 4 sessions 
$95

Picture books may be short, but they’re not easy to write! A picture book is a unified artistic whole in which text and pictures, covers and end pages, and details of design work together, and provide an aesthetically satisfying experience for young readers, their teachers, their caregivers, and others. Picture books are also an art designed to be read aloud — to be performed. This four-week workshop explores the form through fiction and nonfiction. Writing exercises focus on characterization, story structure, setting, and point-of-view. Participants are encouraged to expand their creative thinking to develop their own unique narrative voice. The goal is to leave with 3–5 ideas for picture books, 1 draft, and a working understanding of the publishing process.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

042 LIFELINES: Life Story Writing (Virtual)
Linda Lanza, author and credentialed
therapeutic writing specialist
Wed., 6:30–8:00 pm, Sept. 30, 8 sessions
$180

Not the whole forest, just a few leaves. In a safe, nonjudgmental space, our creative activities will help you honor your unique life experiences and preserve your memories one vignette at a time. No special writing skills are necessary. Sharing what you write is optional. All you need is a notebook and pen.

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Are you craving a change, facing early retirement, or feeling unfulfilled in your current job? Do you have the itch to travel? Come discover the possibility of a second career as a flight attendant, a path open to men and women from a broad spectrum of ages, backgrounds, and educational achievements. In fact, airlines welcome the experience and stability of older workers in these important on-board roles. Becoming a flight attendant offers a new lifestyle with good pay potential, great benefits, and scheduling flexibility. Join us to learn more and get all your questions answered.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Noticing more small planes overhead? This educational session explains what’s flying above us and why. We’ll look at how general aviation works, who regulates it (and why towns have limited say), how flight schools differ from commercial airlines, and the questions communities are raising about noise and leaded aviation fuel. You’ll see how flight-tracking data reveals what’s happening in local skies, and survey approaches other communities have explored. No background needed—just curiosity about the airspace overhead.

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Explore the universe in this engaging introduction to astronomy. Come away with a lasting appreciation of the night sky by identifying constellations, reading a sky map, understanding comets, meteor showers, eclipses, nebulae, galaxies, dwarf planets, black holes and more. Learn also about internet astronomy resources to observe orbiting satellites and current sky events. All presentations are done in a relaxed manner and supported by breathtaking imagery.

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Have you ever dreamed of writing with elegance? This beginner-friendly calligraphy course will unveil the secrets to beautiful lettering! We’ll explore basic strokes and techniques, guiding you from hesitant lines to confident flourishes. Get ready to transform your handwriting and create stunning artwork, one letter at a time.
NOTE: Please bring a notebook and pencil, eraser, ruler and brush pen to class in addition to a bottle of water for the calligraphy.

PHS - Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

This intensive course is designed for students who already have a solid foundation in the basic principles of calligraphy and are ready to take their skills to the next level. Throughout the program, we will delve deeper into the art of expressive letterforms, focusing on advanced techniques such as flourishes, diverse lettering styles, and intricate embellishments. With an emphasis on skill development, students will have the opportunity to master new methods, explore creative possibilities, and learn how to refine their personal style. The course also promises an inspiring journey of artistic expression, encouraging participants to unleash their creativity and produce stunning, unique masterpieces.

PHS - Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Building on foundational drawing skills, this class challenges students to deepen their understanding of the human figure through observation and interpretation. Emphasis will be placed on drawing the figure from live models with increasing attention to anatomy, proportion, and expressive intent. Students will explore more advanced concepts including lighting the model, staging dynamic poses, creating contrast and dramatic value relationships, and using light and shadow to define form and mood. Exercises will emphasize gesture drawing, dynamic compositions, and expressive mark-making to strengthen both technical ability and personal style. The class will include group discussions designed to refine observational skills and encourage creative growth. On the first day of class, please bring one sample of artwork that you admire.
NOTE: Supplies—charcoal or Conte crayon, newsprint, clipboard, and kneaded eraser.

PHS - Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Designed for beginning students, this class introduces the fundamentals of figure drawing while helping students cultivate their own way of seeing. Through a balance of observational study and expressive interpretation, students will explore essential drawing techniques. Emphasis will be placed on drawing the human figure from live models, anatomy, and proportion. Exercises will focus on gesture drawing, blocking in forms, and exploring page composition. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate proficiency in observational and expressive drawing techniques and apply principles of composition, proportion, and anatomy to figure drawing. The class will include group discussions designed to refine observational skills and encourage creative growth. On the first day of class, please bring one sample of artwork that you admire.
NOTE: Supplies—charcoal or Conte crayon, newsprint, clipboard, and kneaded eraser.

PHS - Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Building on foundational drawing skills, this class challenges students to deepen their understanding of the human figure through observation and interpretation. Emphasis will be placed on drawing the figure from live models with increasing attention to anatomy, proportion, and expressive intent. Students will explore more advanced concepts including lighting the model, staging dynamic poses, creating contrast and dramatic value relationships, and using light and shadow to define form and mood. Exercises will emphasize gesture drawing, dynamic compositions, and expressive mark-making to strengthen both technical ability and personal style. The class will include group discussions designed to refine observational skills and encourage creative growth. On the first day of class, please bring one sample of artwork that you admire.
NOTE: Supplies—charcoal or Conte crayon, newsprint, clipboard, and kneaded eraser.

PHS - Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

This class is designed for sculptors and other makers. It will deal with the many ways you can use molds to make and reproduce objects and forms. Some methods will be familiar to you, and some you will never have seen before. It will be a grand overview of techniques and materials you can replicate in your studio. We’ll talk about plaster molds, one of the most versatile and economical types of molds. Alginate molds are perfect for making safe molds of hands and faces and give incredible detail. Moulage molds are a more economical alternative to alginate. Rubber molds, the real workhorses of molds, allow you to mold intricate objects and can be used to cast plaster, wax, resin, etc. Sand molds allow you to cast metal in a simple backyard foundry. These can be simple one-piece molds or complicated multi-piece molds. We’ll cover chemically bonded molds and green sand molds. Then there are metal molds, found-object molds, and more. Time will be devoted to showing how large and small sculptures are made in a variety of materials: stone, concrete, bronze, etc. This class will lean even more toward metal-casting molds than previous classes, and the instructor will talk more about home foundry set-ups. The instructor will also discuss strategies to help you decide which type of mold is right for which kind of object.
NOTE: There will be a lot of information given out, so bring a pad to draw on and take notes. 

Students will be emailed the private address of the class in Pennington a week before the class begins.

053 Introduction to Woodworking
Section A: Wed., 6:30–9:30 pm,
Oct. 14, 2 sessions 
Section B: Wed., 6:30–9:30 pm,
Oct. 28, 2 sessions section
Section C: Wed., 6:30–9:30 pm,
Nov. 11, 2 sessions
$215 each

Everybody starts woodworking as a complete novice. Introduction to Woodworking is the first step toward making woodworking a part of your life. This class puts you to work right away learning about tools and materials and how to use them. You will walk away with your first project too. This course is held in a professional-grade woodshop and led by a woodworking expert. You will be using jointers, planers, bandsaws, router tables and sanders. In addition, you will create
a gorgeous 8” × 12” hardwood cutting board of your own. Come and have fun in this full shop exploration!
NOTE: There is a $20 materials charge for walnut and/or maple
payable to the instructor on the first night of class.

Both woodworking courses are conducted at a professional woodworking shop 2.5 miles from the Costco located on Quaker Bridge Road. (Willard Brothers Woodcutters, 300 Basin Road, Hamilton Township, NJ).

FOR BOTH CLASSES: Students should bring their own eye and ear protection. Hearing protection and goggles/glasses are recommended. Choice of exotic hardwoods for your project will cost extra. Masks will not be required but are recommended for both woodworking, and to slow the spread of Covid-19.

054 Intermediate Woodworking
Wed., 6:30–9:30 pm, Dec. 2, 3 sessions
$315

Intermediate project: Joinery Foot Stool. This project builds upon the foundational skills introduced in the beginner class to include mortise and tenon joinery utilizing basic workshop tools. Students will layout and prepare their material, cut and fit their parts to create a useful object from a selection of beautiful hardwoods.\
NOTE: Prerequisite: Intro to Woodworking or experience working with a table saw or jointer/planer. There is a $40 materials charge payable at the first class.

Both woodworking courses are conducted at a professional woodworking shop 2.5 miles from the Costco located on Quaker Bridge Road. (Willard Brothers
Woodcutters, 300 Basin Road, Hamilton Township, NJ).

FOR BOTH CLASSES: Students should bring their own eye and ear protection. Hearing protection and goggles/glasses are recommended. Choice of exotic hardwoods for your project will cost extra. Masks will not be required but are recommended for both woodworking, and to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Welcome to your new fun hobby! In this class, you will learn basic knitting such as casting on, binding off, knit stitch, and purl stitch. In addition, you will learn about different types of yarn, gauge, tension, reading a yarn label, and reading a pattern. You may have the opportunity to learn to correct problems as you make simple practice swatches. Together we will start a scarf project of your choice; three options will be provided. No prior experience required.
NOTE: Please bring a pair of knitting needles, size 7 or 8 (4.5mm or 5mm) and one skein of worsted weight yarn in a light or bright color to practice knitting skills. Your local store is a great option to provide you with some great beginner yarn and needle suggestions.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Can you cast on, bind off, knit, purl, and read a simple pattern? Then this class is for you. We will take your knitting to the next level. Please bring your current project to the first class along with project patterns that seem a little beyond what is comfortable for you so that we can talk through some of the terms or directions that give you pause. We will make The March Hat starting the second class. The pattern is free on Ravelry and I will provide paper copies during the first class, for those who do not have a Ravelry account. The hat project will introduce you to knitting in the round, decreasing, and using double pointed needles. Along the way, we will talk about common mistakes and how to fix them.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

In this four-week class you will learn the basics of knitting. Every week you will learn stitches, knit, purl, cast on and bind off. You will also review the previous stitches, learn to read a simple pattern and then learn about the different weights of yarn and how to select a pattern. By the end of the class, you will be ready to knit your first scarf. The instructor will help you select and purchase a pattern for your first project. Practice materials will be provided by instructor.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

You can knit and purl and read a simple pattern, what’s next? In this class, you will continue your knitting journey while enhancing and improving your skills. During the class, you will continue to practice knit and purl stitches, learn to read more complex patterns, discover how to select your next project, and learn how to increase and decrease stitches. You will also be introduced to gauge and learn how to knit in the round. As you apply these new skills, you will begin knitting a hat or cowl using a pattern provided by the instructor.
NOTE: Please bring one skein of worsted weight yarn and a US 7 or 8 needle or your current knitting project and pattern to the class.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Courses are held at Pennington Quilt Works, 7 Tree Farm Road, Pennington, NJ 08534. Please bring a pair of scissors and reading glasses, if needed.

Courses are held at Pennington Quilt Works, 7 Tree Farm Road, Pennington, NJ 08534. Please bring a pair of scissors and reading glasses, if needed.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Learn the ancient art of Shibori dyeing! Use beautiful indigo dye to make lovely scarves, pillow covers or a large tote. Create for yourself or to give as gifts! Four different patterns will be taught—you’ll choose two techniques to prep your fabrics. Students will create TWO silk scarves—an over $100 retail value—from start to finish! Participants may opt to create two cotton pillow covers or one large cotton tote instead of two scarves. Registrants will receive an email in mid-September about project choice and workshop location.

NOTE: Workshop is held OUTSIDE at Blue Fox Studio in Titusville, NJ (near Washington Crossing State Park). Dress for mess and the weather as the dye will stain clothing.

Class will be held at All Saints’ Church, 16 All Saints Road, Princeton, NJ

Design and make a California-inspired boho chic bracelet out of a sorbet selection of real semi-precious stones, such as quartz, aventurine, turquoise, jasper, amethyst, jade, lapis, agate, freshwater pearls, crystals and accent beads. Learn basic wire wrapping techniques on how to attach stones onto the chain. Gain skills using three essential tools, flat nose, round nose and cutters. Be enlightened by the healing properties and the meanings behind the stones. Create patterns and a color scheme for your boho chic bracelet that fits your individual personality. No tools are needed. The instructor will provide everything you need. This workshop is for all levels and beginners are encouraged.
NOTE: All materials and tools for this course will be available in class from the instructor.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Princeton High School 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

From the silk roads of Kanchipuram to the cotton fields of Gujarat, learn the history, craft, and story of Indian textiles. Feel the fibers, view the looms, understand the alchemy of the dyes. Learn about the drape of the sari and the dhoti. Students will use hand-carved blocks to print their own repeating pattern—no drawing skills necessary. The class culminates with an in-class fabric salon—a bazaar of 15–20 textiles—in which the students decode fabric tags and share stories.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

In a collaboration between the Princeton Adult School and the Arts Council of Princeton, local artist Ryan Stark Lilienthal presents this discussion and workshop about his recent German- American Fulbright Commission project exploring participatory approaches to remembrance. The project studied how new thinking around public memory processes can bring people from diverse backgrounds together and cultivate a sense of belonging through shared participation in collaborative memory artwork. In the spirit of memory-making, following the discussion attendees will make the illuminated porcelain bricks, just like the students made in Germany. Once fired, the bricks will be exhibited together at the Arts Council of Princeton and then returned to the participants. The brick mold Lilienthal will use is cast from a brick from his family’s home in Germany—the last trace of relatives deported in 1942.

NOTE: This class is held in the Burke Studio at The Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ. To learn more about Lilienthal’s memory project in Germany, see the June 10, 2026 issue of the Town Topics newspaper.

Step into a world of calm and creativity in this 1.5-hour guided workshop, where the participants will handcraft their own serene lotus pond using resin, clay, origami and a soothing palette inspired by color therapy. In this immersive session, one will learn how to create tranquil water effects with resin, and design a miniature pond that reflects balance, beauty, and inner peace. Alongside hands-on crafting techniques, one will also explore how specific colors can influence mood and promote emotional well-being. Perfect for beginners and creatives of all levels, leave with a stunning handcrafted piece and a refreshed sense of tranquility one can carry with them!

Princeton High School 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Tired of leaving your cherished memories trapped on your phone or computer? The Shutterfly Photo Books course is a hands-on guide designed to transform your digital photos into beautiful, professional-quality printed keepsakes. Learn the entire process, from organizing your photo library to mastering the design tools, ensuring your final photo book perfectly tells your unique story.

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

This is a beginner-friendly course designed to unlock the world of digital photography. Over three intensive weeks, students learn essential skills: camera operations, composition techniques, lighting basics, and photo editing. Engaging, hands-on sessions encourage creative exploration, while practical assignments reinforce learning. Ideal for photography enthusiasts, this course lays a solid foundation, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art. No prior experience is required, just a passion for capturing life’s moments through a lens.
NOTE: Students must bring a digital camera (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Leica, Fuji, Panasonic, etc.) to every class.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Unlock the timeless art of film-based photography in our hands-on class, “The Old-School Click: An Introduction to Hybrid Film/Digital Photography.” This introductory class will focus on getting started with a modest budget and without a darkroom. Learn the basics of using film, using your phone or DSLR as film scanners, and techniques to perfect those images. Perfect for beginners and seasoned digital photographers alike, this course revives the foundational skills of capturing images on film and digitizing them.

NOTE: Students are invited to bring a film camera if they would like to ask Chris about it.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Take a photography stroll in historic Bordentown, NJ — the home of revolutionary Thomas Paine, Clara Barton’s first School House, and one of America’s first railroads. Enjoy all the charms of small-town New Jersey with beautiful architecture from the waterfront to the historic downtown. Filled with amazing photographic opportunities, this learning adventure will help you develop your vision as a photographer while gaining experience with your equipment.

NOTE: Meet at 11:00 am at the NJT River Line parking lot at 138 West Park St., Bordentown, NJ. All levels of photographer with any camera are welcome.

Take a stroll through the vibrant landscapes of Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey, for an immersive nature photography experience set against the backdrop of peak foliage. This course is perfect for photographers of all levels who want to explore the seasonal beauty of nature through their lens. This hands-on learning adventure will help you sharpen your eye and strengthen your understanding of composition, natural lighting, and how to capture the rich textures and colors of the fall views of Colonial Park together! This class is iPhone and DSLR/Mirrorless friendly. Students should have a basic understanding of their cameras and settings.

NOTE: Students should meet the instructor in Parking Lot D. Students are expected to be available for both the scheduled class date and the published rain date. Refunds cannot be issued for conflicts with the rain date.

In this five-week workshop, participants will explore the magic of alternative photography and learn about the cyanotype process. The cyanotype is a historical photographic process that develops a brilliant blue when exposed to UV light. Together, we’ll learn how to create unique cyanotypes with natural objects and found materials, create digital negatives, and experiment with toning your prints using everyday household ingredients. By the end, you’ll walk away with a small collection of unique, handcrafted cyanotype prints, a deeper understanding of the process, and the confidence to continue exploring alternative photography on your own. This workshop is for all levels and beginners are encouraged.
NOTE: Materials needed for this class are estimated to cost between $60–80, and a complete list will be available from the instructor at the first class.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

In this five-week workshop, participants will explore photography as a creative practice through lectures, hands-on projects, and discussions. Together, we’ll learn the basics of using a camera, create original photographic work, and engage with historical and contemporary artists. By the end of this course, you will walk away with a deeper appreciation for the medium – and the power of visual storytelling. This workshop is for all levels and beginners are encouraged. This class is iPhone and DSLR/Mirrorless friendly.

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

Ready to move beyond the rule of thirds and start creating stunning photos? Join our Photography Composition Workshop designed specifically for novice photographers! In this hands-on session, you’ll learn about different composition styles, including leading lines, abstracts, minimalism, and more. We will review your photography, focusing on your individual style with gentle critiques. Class is open to DSLR and mobile phone cameras. You should know the basics of photography, with an eye towards printing, selling and/or displaying your creative photographs.
NOTE: Class is limited to six students.

Visit the roads less taken in scenic Frenchtown. Your guide will provide helpful tips and techniques, including composition styles and introduce you to Mindfulness, where you learn to “take fewer yet better” pictures. The best way to learn photography is to practice, and Hidden Frenchtown is a wonderful setting. This class is for DSLR/ML and Mobile Phones—and is kept small for an interactive experience.

Visit the roads less taken in historic Lambertville. Your guide will provide helpful tips and techniques, including composition styles and introduce you to Mindfulness, where you learn to “take fewer yet better” pictures. The best way to learn photography is to practice, and Hidden Lambertville is a wonderful setting. This class is for DSLR/ML and Mobile Phones—and is kept small for an interactive experience.

Take a photographic tour through Princeton University, with iconic buildings and wonderful landscapes. Your guide will provide helpful tips and techniques, including composition styles and introduce you to Mindfulness, where you learn to “take fewer yet better” pictures. The best way to learn photography is practice, and Princeton University is a wonderful setting. This class is for DSLR/ML and Mobile Phones—and is kept small for an interactive experience.

NOTE: The instructor will send information about parking and a meet-up spot in Princeton.

Take a special photography walk through and around Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton. This iconic landmark—often described as one of the most photographed spots in the country—offers endless creative possibilities. We’ll explore the museum grounds, interior spaces, and surrounding historic buildings, including a live demonstration of the rock sorter. This will be during their Christmas Festival, so the mill will be quite festive. This workshop is designed to strengthen your camera skills through hands-on guidance, practical tips, and creative challenges—including techniques for working in low light. This hands-on class will help you compose compelling, expressive images using your DSLR, mirrorless, or mobile phone camera.

NOTE: The instructor will send information about parking and a meet-up spot at the Red Mill, Clinton.

Pinhole photography, one of the earliest forms of the medium, has been revived as an exciting art form. Learn how to make pinhole cameras out of light-proof containers, such as a cookie or tea tin or a shoebox. Because there is no viewfinder or lens on a pinhole camera, every shot is a mystery, and that is part of the draw. Each photo is like a memory—some truth of what was seen, with a dream-like blur and subtle haziness. Students will learn to make a pinhole camera, take photos, and develop paper negatives using household ingredients. No prior darkroom experience is necessary. Pinhole photography affords a chance to slow down and see the world from a new perspective.

NOTE: The field trip meeting location will be discussed at class.

The best way to learn is in the field, hands-on and be able to go to new places. By taking the Photos in the Field class, you will be traveling to multiple locations to understand various photography skills and techniques. You will be taught to photograph landscapes, night photography, street photography, architecture and many other techniques. Field trips will be approximately two hours (not including travel) and will be within 45 minutes of Princeton University. Please be advised that this class will be geared towards students who have a basic knowledge and understanding of how exposure and manual settings work. DISCLAIMER: We will be walking through a handful of locations and some might be hiking trails.

Class Requirements (not needed for first class Oct. 15):
• Basic knowledge and understanding of exposure and manual settings
• Camera that operates in Manual Mode (DSLR or Mirrorless preferred)
• Tripod (that holds the weight of your camera and lens together)
• Shutter trigger cable (will be used for long exposures)
• Camera backpack or bag (make sure it is comfortable to walk with and maybe a tripod holder).

Oct. 24, 4:30–6:30 pm—Princeton/Princeton University,
68 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 08544*
Nov. 7, 10:00 am–12:00 pm—Sourland Mountain,
421 E Mountain Rd., Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844*
Nov. 14, 11:00 am–1:00 pm—Marquand Park,
68 Lovers Ln., Princeton, NJ 08540*
Nov. 21, 9:00–11:00 am—Chestnut Point Manasquan Reservoir,
337 Georgia Tavern Rd., Howell, NJ 07731*
Dec. 5, 10:00 am–12:00 pm—Sayen Gardens,
155 Hughes Dr., Hamilton Square, NJ 08690*

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

A singing course of JOY. Forget your difficult day and sing it away. A different kind of singing lessons, using vocal and breathing exercises, improv, movements and much more. Free up your VOICE and SPIRITS. All levels welcome. (This is not a choir class.)

NOTE: We will meet in a private, well ventilated, large studio in Princeton. Address will be provided by instructor after registration. Materials suggested for class will be given to students at class time.

Now it’s your time to learn to play the piano. All you need is a piano, acoustic or electric, and the wish to do it! Students meet at their own keyboards in front of Zoom. Beginning in perhaps a new way, assuming everyone has never played anything before, we’ll go from there to decoding the signs that enable learning to read music and play it! By doing this, you grow  in understanding of any kind of music. You can learn to play anything you want, regardless of your age! You can’t start any younger, so go for it!

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

Whether you are a beginner or seeking to improve basic skills, this class will help you learn guitar in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. You will learn basic techniques for the left and right hands, pick and finger style, reading music notation, reading chord diagrams, and basic strums. Handouts will be provided. You must have your own acoustic guitar. The instructor is available for consultation if you need to purchase an instrument. Class is limited to eight students.

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

This course is meant as a continuation for those who have completed Guitar I and for those with equivalent basic skills. These include the ability to play basic open position chords, simple strum and fingerpicking patterns, and rudimentary knowledge of reading music notation. The course will begin with a review and continue with strumming and fingerpicking popular songs as well as elementary classical guitar pieces. Enjoy learning this beautiful and versatile instrument in a fun and informal atmosphere. Class is limited to eight students.

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

This class will consist of approximately 90% practical guitar playing and 10% instruction in music theory and the history of classical guitar. Students of all levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced players. We will learn how to tune the guitar using different methods, and students will develop their playing skills through short pieces by Spanish, Italian, and Latin American composers. We will also work on reading music specifically for the guitar, using both original repertoire and simple transcriptions from other instruments. In addition, we will explore the characteristics of different musical periods by studying and performing short representative works. Students are required to bring their own classical or acoustic guitar to each class.
NOTE: Please have your acoustic guitar with you on the first night of class.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Did you play the flute in grade school once upon a time? Are you longing to clear off the cobwebs to see how much you remember, or how much you forgot? “Back to the Flute” will help you revisit some of the basic skills needed to play the flute and will focus on tone development, scales, proper technique, and new repertoire. Please bring your flute and a music stand.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Princeton High School 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Come learn to play a beautiful instrument whose origins reach back to ancient times. Open to beginners and beginner/intermediates, this class will teach the rudiments of mandolin playing and music reading, providing students with a good introduction to picking and tremolo. Based on the success of the class, we’ll continue in the following spring with a mandolin ensemble class. If you don’t own a mandolin, the instructor can advise you on how to find one.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

This FUN eight-week course is perfect for beginners! Learn how to tune your ukulele, play basic chords, practice simple strumming patterns, and transition smoothly between chords. You’ll also learn a few familiar songs to build confidence and enjoy making music. No experience needed. Join us online and keep making music from the comfort of your home! The ukulele is a wonderful instrument and playing one is good for the soul—guaranteed.

Zoom Online Video Conference

Ready to keep going? This fun and relaxed eight-week course is the perfect next step after Beginner Ukulele. We’ll build on basic chords, improve transitions, learn new strumming patterns, and play familiar songs to grow your confidence. Join us online and keep making music from the comfort of your home!

Zoom Online Video Conference

The harmonica is one of the most popular instruments in the world. A convenient musical instrument that fits in your pocket and packs a powerful punch. Whether it’s rock ’n roll, country, folk, classical, jazz or blues, this six-week beginners’ course will give aspiring students the confidence to sit in with a band, play around a campfire, and entertain your guests for years to come.

NOTE: Students should acquire a diatonic harmonica in the key of C (10 holes). A list of suggestions for harmonicas can be found in the class details of our website as well as a detailed syllabus of the class.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

Harmonica II takes you beyond the fundamentals and gets you away from the music stand and up on stage. If your goal is to sit in with other musicians, play more advanced songs, improvise to the blues then this session is for you. Explore various styles including the blues and learn more advanced methods to help make you sound like a pro. Harmonica II gives you the confidence and skills to get out there and play.
Prerequisite: Harmonica I.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

088A Acting for Beginners (Virtual)
Hannah Tamminen,
theatre, film and television actress, M.F.A.
Wed., 6:00–7:30 pm, Oct. 14, 8 sessions
No class Nov. 25
$180

This course is your introduction to the craft of acting, designed for those who want to explore skills that apply to both stage and screen. Each week, you’ll take part in interactive exercises in relaxation, improvisation, sense memory, listening, objectives, and imagery, all aimed at helping you discover the building blocks of performance. Individualized feedback and a supportive group setting make this class both fun and practical. No prior experience required—just bring your curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to play!

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

088B Got Laughs? Now You Will! (Virtual)
Susanna Spies, actor, comedienne 
Mon., 7:00–8:30 pm, Oct. 19, 6 sessions
$135

Join actor/comedienne and founder of Comedy Playground, Susanna Spies in learning how to find the funny from everyday life! You will learn how to develop, write, craft and hone the art of stand up, in a six-week session culminating in a live show on Zoom! Join from anywhere to learn how the benefits of humor go way beyond the mic! No performance experience necessary, life IS the experience! Gain confidence and enhance public speaking skills through the platform of comedy! As my motto goes: “Why sit... when you can STAND UP!”

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

 089 Improv Think Fast! (In-Person) NEW!
Cat London, Creator of Yes Anthem Improv. 
Mon., 5:30–7:00 pm, Sept. 28, 6 sessions
$150

Improvisors in this class will develop their sense of play and learn to trust their instincts. Through accessible games and exercises, build your confidence to take risks onstage. You will laugh a lot. The course will be taught by Cat London, creator of Yes Anthem Improv, originator of Cat & Vegas and Temple of Boom Improv, alumnus of UCB NYC, and previously professional performer with the Bit Players and Howdy Stranger.

NOTE: This class will be held at Hopewell Valley Stage, 5 S. Greenwood Ave., Hopewell 08525  

Have you Bot-any houseplants only to find yourself unsure of how to care for them? This class will enable you to understand the needs of houseplants, choose the best container, soil medium, and use correct watering practices. Participants learn to analyze their indoor space (light, heat, humidity) and choose plants that can thrive under these conditions, including during the dry winter months. The instructor will provide handouts and a list of suggested resources.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Create a live plant gift for yourself or a loved one and add character to any living space! Participants will create two (2) kokedama, using the Japanese tradition of surrounding the cutting with moss for a simple and natural plant display. All necessary tools are provided including plant material, display bases, moss, jute, fish wire, and special kokedama soil mix. The materials fee is included in the course fee.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540
NOTE: The field trip will be held at a Hopewell Township residence and the address will be provided to students at class time.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore st. Princeton NJ

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

Princeton High School 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

NOTE: Students will be emailed the private address of the class in Princeton a week before the class begins.

Princeton High School - 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

NOTE: Classes meet outdoors at Weber’s Training School, 3440 Brunswick Pike (Route 1 North). Dogs must be at least five months old.

Zoom Online Video Conference

Zoom Online Video Conference

This course will cover chess from the ground up. We will learn rules, notation, and basic strategies in the opening, middlegame, and endgame. Sessions will include various exercises and interactive puzzles. Geared towards players who have no experience, but open to players who have some exposure to chess before (U800 rated)!

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

This course is designed to be a continuation of 099A. These sessions will be geared towards the implementation of the skills taught in Part I via actual gameplay. Further instruction will be provided in basic opening theory (e.g. the London System, French Defense, Sicilian, and Queen’s Gambit) and intermediate middlegame/endgame strategy.

Virtual - Zoom Online Video Conference

This course is for people who want to learn some basic poker games or expand their existing repertoire of games. We will learn by playing. Although we will learn some dos and don’ts of betting, the course is not designed for online players. If you already enjoy friendly social poker or want to participate in a poker group, this is for you. The instructor cannot remember a poker evening that he didn’t enjoy!

Princeton High School 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ

101 Mah Jongg with Neilia (Virtual)
(includes all materials fees)
Neilia Makadok, professional educator and
management consultant who has taught
Mah Jongg and Canasta
for over 20 years
Section A: Wed., 6:00–8:00 pm,
Nov. 18, 4 sessions
Section B: Wed., 6:00–8:00 pm,
Jan. 6, 2027, 4 sessions
$150

Mah Jongg is an exciting and engaging game using tiles to form hands, much like rummy. Learn to play the American version using the National Mah Jongg League rules and card. An experienced educator will explain the basics in simple terms and guide you as you play. It would be helpful to have a Mah Jongg set available to use during class. All other necessary materials are included.

Zoom Online Video Conference

102 Mah Jongg: Join the Mah Jongg
Revolution (In-Person) (includes all materials) PHS
Marcia Rabinowitz, avid player and teacher
Section A: Tues., 6:00–8:30 pm, Oct. 13, 4 sessions
Section B: Tues., 6:00-8:30 pm, Nov. 17, 4 sessions
$150

Ready to dive into the wonderful world of American Mah Jongg? The four-class series will teach you this beloved tile game according to the National Mah Jongg League Card. All rules will be fully explained, and asking questions is strongly encouraged! You will learn the different suits of tiles and how to arrange them in order to help you formulate a hand and achieve the ultimate goal of the game: to have the winning hand and say “Mah Jongg”! We will also have a lot of fun playing actual hands, spotting patterns and refining your game. After the four-week session you will be able to join any beginner game with ease and enthusiasm.

Princeton High School, 151 Moore St. Princeton NJ 08540

103A Bridge (In-Person)
Judy Kutin, a successful local
duplicate bridge club owner and director
Tues., 5:45–7:15 pm, Oct. 13, 8 sessions
$175