Class Listing - by Instructor

Name	Biography
Frances Alloway N/A	I have been teaching cooking and nutrition classes for many years as a consultant and employee. As a consultant, I have worked with hospitals, child care sites, senior centers, and libraries including the Free Library of Philadelphia. I have presented programming on Radnor 21 and WGTV television stations that included seasonal food and health topics. As an employee of Penn State Extension and Early Head Start, I co-authored Dining with Diabetes, Totally Veggies, The Mediterranean Cuisine Comes to You curricula and taught hundreds of classes for all age groups. I am a registered dietitian and nutritionist, a certified ServSafe instructor and have child abuse clearances.
Pamela Aloia pamela@blossomingeveryday.com	Pamela Aloia has been a writer since youth, writing short stories and poems, instilling a passion for crafting written compositions. In her professional work, she has penned corporate communication, articles, books, newsletters, and more. For the past 20 years she has served as a personal development coach using meditation, reflection, mindfulness, and energy work to assist others in achieving greater versions of themselves. Her interactive and imaginative workshops include relaxed self-exploration through writing. Additionally, Pamela supports fellow authors and new and seasoned writers reach higher levels of self-expression and discovery through the written word. Visit her website: blossomingeveryday.com. Email: pamela@blossomingeveryday.com.
I Amalia amalia@amaliadance.com	As a performer, Amalia has appeared at venues and dance events along the East Coast and in her home state of California. Highlights include performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Queens Theater, and opening for the Belly Dance Superstars Philadephia Show at World Cafe Live. She has taught for the past 15 years throughout the Philadelphia area and coached the belly dance club of Swarthmore College. She is passionate about helping people find confidence, fluidity and ease in their bodies through this beautiful dance form.
Amy Anna N/A	Amy B Anna is an artist and attorney living in Media, PA. She is a contributing writer for the film website, www.cutprintfilm.com, which is a Philadelphia-based site devoted to all things related to film. Her art-related website and blog can be found at www.amyannaart.com.
David Back N/A	David R. Back, is a photojournalist with thirty-five years of experience with film cameras, and digital cameras, and cell phone photography. Media covered includes Club newsletters, weddings, social gatherings, education seminars, sports, studio, nature, technical, (three published books), and pet photography. He is also a ASE Master certified electrical instructor with 35 years of experience with teaching, diagnosing, and repairing electrical equipment and adding circuits.
Staff, Baltimore Craft Show N/A
Susannah Beckett N/A	Susannah Beckett has been a performing member of ComedySportz since 2007. She holds a theater degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. After University she toured the East coast for six months with the KingFisher Theater Company performing two original plays - both used puppets, one used fire. She has had the opportunity to teach with many great organizations including: Story-Up! as the Artistic Director 2018-2020, Open Circle as the lead instructor for the senior citizen improv group, Hedgerow Theater, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, and many more. She loves ComedySportz and for over a decade has been teaching for CSz as a class instructor, workshop leader and team building facilitator for non-profits, corporate clients and private events. Off the stage, she works as an Environmental Educator for Philadelphia Parks & Rec and teaches Landscape Ecology at TJU. She is delighted to use her improv skills everyday to help people connect to each other and the planet.
Lynn Berkowitz lberkowitz225@gmail.com	Lynn Berkowitz, MFA, BFA, with a career in art museums, has developed an array of award-winning gallery tours, experiences, and apps aimed at helping audiences of all ages and abilities engage with a diversity of art ‘isms and approaches.
Richard Berman N/A	Richard Berman, Owner, Pour Richard's Coffee Company
Amanda Blevins amanda@blevins-somm.com	Amanda Blevins is certified wine educator and sommelier who has a passion for sharing the story behind each bottle and helping others discover new wines to love. She is the owners of Blevins Sommelier Services, LLC, a graduate of Napa Valley Wine Academy and holds Level 3 Certification from Wine & Spirits Education Trust.
Jon Bock N/A
Donna Boyle donnaboyledisco@aol.com	Donna has been competing and performing as a dancer for 30 years. She was the regional dance champion on the national TV show "Dance Fever" and has numerous TV credits. She teaches dance throughout the Philadelphia region and is the proprietor of Party Pros Entertainment & Disco America.
Cynthia Branigan N/A	https://cynthiabranigan.com/about/ Cynthia Branigan’s professional involvement with the welfare and protection of animals dates to 1974, when she began volunteering with author Cleveland Amory and his organization, The Fund for Animals. In 1977, she became a full-time staff member. Through The Fund, she helped set up adoption centers across the country for over 6,000 wild burros and 4,000 mustangs rescued from public lands in the west. In 1980, on The Fund’s behalf, she bought Gamal, the last Atlantic City Steel Pier Diving Horse. The relationship that developed between the two transformed them both and is the subject of her recently released third book, a memoir titled THE LAST DIVING HORSE IN AMERICA (Pantheon, New York, 2021). The book won the 2022 EQUUS award for Best Nonfiction Equine Book. In 1987, Ms. Branigan adopted her first retired racing Greyhound, King (racing name Low Key Two), and in 1988 was inspired by him to found Make Peace With Animals, a non-profit, all volunteer, animal protection group, www.mpwa.org. Its special mission is the adoption of retired racing Greyhounds. So far, over 5,500 of these dogs have found homes through the organization. Other Books Ms. Branigan is the author of two books on Greyhounds, both published by Howell Book House, NY. The first, ADOPTING THE RACING GREYHOUND, has sold over 100,000 copies since it first appeared in 1992 and is now in an updated Third Edition. It was the first book published on the subject, and the only one written by someone who directs an adoption group. Known as the Bible for anyone considering ownership of a former racing dog, it inspired the Greyhound adoption movement worldwide. Her second book, THE REIGN OF THE GREYHOUND: A POPULAR HISTORY OF THE OLDEST FAMILY OF DOGS, traces the breed in art, history, and sport from 6000 BCE to the present. It won top prize, Best General Interest Book, in 1998 from the Dog Writers’ Association of America and is now in an expanded Second Edition. Other Publications In 1994, Ms. Branigan wrote the chapter on adoption for The COMPLETE BOOK OF GREYHOUNDS (Barrons, New York). In 2002, she edited LIVING WITH A GREYHOUND (Ringpress Publishers, Ltd., U.K.) Journalism and Media Appearances Ms. Branigan is an award-winning journalist who has written for such publications as THE NEW YORK TIMES, NEW JERSEY MONTHLY, EQUUS, and DOG WORLD. For many years, Ms. Branigan wrote a monthly column, “From The Home Front,” for the GREYHOUND REVIEW, the magazine of the National Greyhound Association. Her media appearances include ANIMAL PLANET, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, GOOD DAY PHILADELPHIA and WHYY’s RADIO TIMES. Peer Recognition In 2003, The Greyhound Project recognized her pioneering adoption work, as did Greyhound Pets of America in 2005, and the National Greyhound Association in 2007. Education and Personal Ms. Branigan was educated at Franconia College in New Hampshire and the University of Pennsylvania. She shares a home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband Charles and their adopted Greyhounds and cats. The Last Diving Horse in America The book described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a moving love letter to rescued animals,” The Last Diving Horse in America (Pantheon, NY, 2021) recounts the author’s life-changing experiences with Gamal, Atlantic City’s last Steel Pier High-Diving horse. Cruelly discarded by the pier’s owners when the act was shuttered, Ms. Branigan, on behalf of her employer The Fund for Animals, bought Gamal at a treacherous auction and, together, horse and human transformed each other.
Richard Buoni N/A
Judy Buxton dentjlb@aol.com	Judy L. Buxton, Creative Cook
Michael Castillo michaelcastilloskitchen@gmail.com	Owner, Michael Castillo's Kitchen. www.michaelcastilloskitchen.com
Mary Coe N/A	Mary Coe, Hike Leader, Willows Park Preserve
Roberta Cooks robertacooks87@gmail.com	Roberta Cooks, MD, Gokhale Method® teacher, trained as a physician at New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Cooks has been a Gokhale Method®Teacher for ten years, guiding hundreds of people of all ages away from back, neck and musculoskeletal pain through teaching healthy ways to perform our daily movements of life. Dr. Cooks is also an avid Argentine Tango dancer and Qigong Medicine practitioner.
Marie Cosgrove N/A	Marie Cosgrove is a lifestyle professional who has spent the bulk of her career working for luxury brands such as Waterford and Wedgwood. A member of Les Dames D’Escoffier, she is widely known as an expert in the culinary world, as well as an award-winning tablescaper. An avowed anglophile, Marie has a deep knowledge of the British world of tea traditions and is a collector of tableware used at afternoon teas and other culinary gatherings.
Jack Covington Premier.performances@gmail.com	Dr. Covington is an Oxford-educated historian and classically trained stage actor and lecturer. He is also the Creative Director of “Characters-on-Call” – 1 st person living history biographies. He presents dynamic first-person historical impersonations of famous literary and historical personages from the pages of history – in authentic period costume – history brought to life! He is a refreshingly innovative, enlightening, and engagingly dynamic educator, actor, and entertainer of the most creative kind – one who loves both his craft and his audience – who consistently delivers a lecture in true “that’s entertainment” style. He deliberately steps outside the proverbial box, breaking down barriers and successfully injecting spontaneity, wit, and warmth into his lecture ‘performances’. He has lectured and performed for many historical museums and cultural organizations. Performance topics he has presented are listed on his website, www.PerformancesParExcellence.com. Dr. Covington is also a world traveler, adventurer, and a former avid mountaineer. His ability to incorporate his first-hand experiences into his lecture performances serves to both enlighten and enthrall his audiences. He delights in the opportunity to share his unique concept of combining lifelong learning with entertainment that will educate, stimulate, and inspire his audiences today and tomorrow!
Lori Lorraine Crook lorraine.crook1@gmail.com	A social worker and artist, Lori teaches alcohol ink at multiple venues in the region. Her abstract florals are sold as notecards at Valley Forge Flowers and elsewhere. She is a mentor with Expressive Paths.
Jaime Davenport N/A
Jeremy DePrisco jjdeprisco@gmail.com	http://www.jeremydeprisco.com/
Staff, Delaware Historical Society N/A
Carla DiMuzio N/A	Experienced bridge player and long-time tennis coach.
Anthony Durkin delvalchessclub@gmail.com	Anthony Durkin is a certified United States Chess Federation Chess Coach and Tournament Director. He founded the Delaware Valley Chess Club and has taught young people and adults throughout the region chess for the past 15 years.
East Falls Glassworks staff@eastfallsglass.com	Staff, East Falls Glassworks
Nina Epstein N/A	Nina Epstein is known as the Digital Diva and has been an information technology instructor and consultant for over 25 years, helping individuals and small business owners use technology and solve their computing problems. Nina has been teaching technology courses in local communities for over 15 years.
Charo Evangelista charo.freespirityoga@gmail.com	CHARO EVANGELISTA CABELLO, ESSENTRICS® Level 1 Instructor, Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master and Wellness Advocate, is certified as a TriYoga instructor. She is a meditation instructor, Reiki Master, Director of Inkalight and is a primary teacher at Free Spirit Yoga. Her personal teaching style focuses on expressiveness and derives from the different disciplines she's practiced throughout the years. Charo has been teaching yoga to children, adults and seniors for the past 28 years. In her classes you will experience the kundalini-inspired sequenced flow of postures synchronized with rhythmic breath (Pranayama) and mudra (focus), which will increase your energy and bring mental clarity. Her website is www.inkalight.com.
Staff, Frick Museum N/A
Carla Gambescia N/A	Carla Gambescia is the author of the acclaimed bookLa Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A-to-Z, a rousing tribute to Italy, Italians and a culture that has contributed so much to the world. A native of Philadelphia, Carla is also a marketing executive, former restaurateur and avid traveler; she co-created the Giro del Gelato bike tour which won OUTSIDE Magazine’s Best Trip in Western Europe.
Judith Giesberg N/A	Judith Giesberg holds the Robert M. Birmingham Chair in the Humanities and is Professor of History at Villanova University. Giesberg is author of Civil War Sisterhood: The United States Sanitary Commission and Women's Politics in Transition (2000),“Army at Home:” Women and the Civil War on the Northern Home Front (2009), Emilie Davis's Civil War: The Diaries of a Free Black Woman in Philadelphia, 1863-1865 (2014) and Sex and the Civil War: Soldiers, Pornography, and the Making of Modern Morality, (2017). Her new book, Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Family, published by Simon and Schuster, on February 4, 2025. Giesberg directs a digital project, Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery, that is collecting, digitizing, and transcribing information wanted ads taken out by formerly enslaved people looking for family members lost to the domestic slave trade. This project was featured in, among other media outlets, the New York Times, Washington Post, CBS Evening News, and NPR’s All Things Considered. As of this past April (2024), the website (informationwanted.org) had been accessed more than twelve and half million times. Giesberg founded and serves as Director of the Rooted Project which is working to research and tell a history of Villanova University informed by today’s movements toward racial and economic justice. Giesberg lectures widely to audiences of genealogists, teachers, and interested members of the public at libraries, schools, museums, and churches.
Christopher Glover N/A	https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopheraglover/
Esther Gordon thegordon7@gmail.com	Esther taught French at Harriton High School for her entire career, learned Mah Jongg years ago and has enjoyed teaching it in recent years.
Staff, Gracie Mansion N/A
David Grauel dgrauel99@gmail.com	DAVID GRAUEL comes to MLSN by way of New York City where he was a Technical Support and Training Specialist in Microsoft Office products for such companies as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. David teaches classes on a variety of Microsoft products and looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with others.
Alison Hallam BoneWiseInfo@gmail.com	Alison Hallam is a BoneFit Certified physical therapist of 30 years, specializing in Bone Health and Wellness. She is an international lecturer, a member of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, and BoneFit certified. She is also the owner of BoneWise, designing customized exercise programs for individuals and classes (myBoneWise.com).
Muriel Harmon murielharmonms@gmail.com	Muriel Harmon, Native Speaker; French Instructor
Ann Hazan N/A	Ann Hazan is a food consultant and instructor and the co-author of 'The Original Philadelphia Neighborhood Cookbook,' 'The Original Baltimore Neighborhood Cookbook,' and 'The Reading Terminal Market Cookbook.' She holds a degree in Food and Nutrition from Drexel University. Ann emphasizes healthy foods and cooking in all her work, as well as in her home.
Matt Hendricks matthendricks922@gmail.com	A life long board game enthusiast, Matt has been associated with several gaming ventures both personal and professional. In particular, he advocates for the use of tabletop games in both educational and professional contexts as a way to stimulate meaningful authentic interaction.
Gina Henry N/A	Gina Henry, owner of GoGlobal, has traveled to over 80 countries and states. She takes free vacations three months every year. Check out www.goglobalinc.com for more instructor information. Gina Henry also has been a professional mystery shopper for over twenty years and wrote the digital book "Mystery Shopping - Get Paid to Shop.”
Andrew Herron N/A	Andrew Herron and Kevin Manning are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ and the founding members of Stone Pine Financial Partners located in Media, PA. They have over 30 years of combined experience helping individuals and families transition to retirement. Andrew and Kevin are experts in retirement distribution planning and have created a system called The Flight Path™ to help bring clarity to the complexities of the retirement distribution phase. They also specialize in Social Security planning and are passionate about educating people on how to best take advantage of this retirement benefit. They’ve previously taught classes and seminars on retirement planning and Social Security at local universities and they sponsor community financial education throughout the year.
Amy Hunt amy@grapewoodflorals.com	Amy received her Floral Design Certificate from Longwood Gardens and has been in the floral industry for over 20 years. She is the owner of Grapewood Florals,LLC and specializes in weddings.
I JKST Inc narberthtennis@jkst.com	Teaching Professionals, Julian Krinsky School of Tennis
Leahcim James hr@leahcimjamescoaching.com	https://leahcimjamescoaching.com/
Barnett Kamen N/A	Barnett Kamen, is a retired teacher of Bible, Literature, and Philosophy at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy. He has an MA in Biblical Literature and was a PhD. candidate
Laura Kanavy N/A	Laura Kanavy, is a Native Speaker from Venezuela with 6 years as a legal interpreter in the Administrative Court System of Philadelphia and is CoreCHI (proficient in medical terminology) and CHI(Certified Healthcare Interpreter).
Staff, Kennett Underground RR Center N/A
Katie Kriner info@thebeethebear.com	Katie Kriner, Author, Fibert Artist, Shop Owner The Bee & The Bear
Staff LL Bean N/A	Staff, L.L. Bean
Staff, Lancaster County Farm Market N/A
Sue Laskin suelaskin@comcast.net	Sue Laskin, Experienced Canasta Teacher
Jessica Liddell Gorlin N/A	Jessica Liddell is a professional artist known around the region for her architectural mosaic and fused glass installations. She has been commissioned to create artwork for parks, hospitals and corporations throughout the country. Jessica has also facilitated many community projects with schools and non profit organizations. She is enthusiastic about her craft and has taught at the Main Line Art Center, MALT and Fleisher Art Memorial. She owns Bella Mosaic Art, a studio in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Myriah Lipke info@stonepinefinancial.com
Carol Livingood clivingood@timoneyknox.com	Carol Ryan Livingood, Esq., Timoney Knox Carol joined Timoney Knox as a Partner in 2022 in the Wills, Trusts and Estates Department. She focuses her practice on all aspects of estate planning and estate administration. Carol previously was the managing partner of Davis Bennett Spiess & Livingood – a firm which had been serving individuals, families and businesses on Philadelphia’s Main Line since 1930. Along with the support of Timoney Knox, Carol continues to bring large firm services with a focus on building long-standing relationships and innovative legal solutions to the community of Wayne. Carol has represented clients in all aspects of estate and tax planning and estate administration for over two decades. Her clients include individuals and families with small to extremely sizable estates who appreciate her keen eye in trying to preserve their wealth for their intended beneficiaries while minimizing the tax liabilities. A graduate of Brown University, Carol received her law degree from Widener University School of Law. After law school, she was awarded an Estate Planning Certificate from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law. Prior to being in private practice, she served for seven years as a Deputy Attorney General in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Charitable Trusts and Organizations Section. Carol is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and is a member of the Delaware County Bar Association and the Delaware County Estate Planning Council. Carol has been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list in Estate & Probate Law since 2022. Each year no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers to receive this Honor. Carol grew up in Wayne and is a graduate of the Academy of Notre Dame, where she formerly served as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Kevin Manning N/A	Andrew Herron and Kevin Manning are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ and the founding members of Stone Pine Financial Partners located in Media, PA. They have over 30 years of combined experience helping individuals and families transition to retirement. Andrew and Kevin are experts in retirement distribution planning and have created a system called The Flight Path™ to help bring clarity to the complexities of the retirement distribution phase. They also specialize in Social Security planning and are passionate about educating people on how to best take advantage of this retirement benefit. They’ve previously taught classes and seminars on retirement planning and Social Security at local universities and they sponsor community financial education throughout the year.
Jill Marshall N/A	Jill Marshall, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), combines her executive leadership background with extensive experience in financial services and wealth management. Drawing on years of strategic planning and organizational leadership, she helps families develop comprehensive strategies for their future.
Steve Marshall N/A	Steve Marshall is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and a licensed attorney and real estate broker. He brings this knowledge to bear to offer unique insights into the practical aspects of life planning. His multi-disciplinary background ensures clients receive well-rounded guidance on complex decisions.
Staff, Masonic Temple N/A
W. Barksdale Maynard barksdalemaynard@gmail.com	Author, Lecturer, Art History, University of Delaware
John McBride N/A	John McBride has degrees from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Classical Japanese literature), Australian National University, (International Relations), and The University of Melbourne (MBA). John’s interest in travel writing in Japanese classical literature has seen him walking the old highway systems of Japan for over 40 years. For the past eight years he has been guiding history walks in Japan. In 2010, John was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his services to business and cultural links between Australia and Japan.
Eva Mergen creativefibers@gmail.com	Eva Mergen has taught handwork at several historic sites in the region. Her topics include spinning, basket weaving, broom making, embroidery and more. She particularly enjoys introducing beginners to a new craft.
Karl Middleman maestrokm@aol.com	Karl Middleman counts over 300 music courses and lectures in his repertoire. A particularly versatile performer, he is equally at home with Hart and Hammerstein as he is with Handel and Haydn. He has been hailed for the easy ways his presentations mix scholarship with showmanship. Karl has received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pew center for Arts and Heritage and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. He has lectured for the Philadelphia Orchestra over 50 times. For his work as a symphony conductor he has been cited in 19th Century Music and Philadelphia Magazine, twice winning the Best in Philly Award. He teaches at Temple University's Boyer College of Music.
Vicki Miller vicki@vinocityevents.com	Vicki Miller is the founder of Vinocity. Although Vicki has been a practicing attorney in Philadelphia for more than 15 years, she also has been a long-time student in formal wine study. Over the years Vicki has been asked to speak on wine and has developed numerous wine events for a variety of institutions, non-profits and various businesses. Vicki developed the Art and Wine event program for a corporate sponsor of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Wine and Literature event for the Raven Society of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Vinocity was born because Vicki realized that wine courses are highly information-filled, but are not socially engaging. Traditional wine tastings, while offering more social interaction, don't provide the kind of useful information to make an informed wine selection. A Vinocity event combines the best of both worlds, as Vicki weaves the facts, figures and scientific aspects of winemaking into interesting short stories and anecdotes about wine history and culture.
Nancy Miller N/A	Nancy Bea Miller exhibits her work nationally, with gallery representation in Colorado, Maine and Pennsylvania. She has degrees from Penn and PAFA and teaches at various local institutions and privately. Joseph Sweeney will teach Figure Drawing on Nov. 1 & 8, 2022. Joseph Sweeney, professional artist and instructor, has exhibited nationally and is currently represented by Gallery 222 in Malvern and Cerulean Gallery in Philadelphia. Many public and private institutions, private collections and museums own his works. He holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts) and a Master’s Degree in Printmaking from Pennsylvania State University. He teaches at PAFA and the Wayne Art Center.
Kyra Zapf Mlitt N/A	Kyra is a Philly local costume designer, history teacher and all-around art nerd. She's worked in more than 20 different countries in historical collections, including the National Museum of Scotland, the Islamic Art Museum of Cairo and the Balkan Heritage Foundation. instagram@krya.historic.costumes
Dianne Moore diannemoore@moorebetterfood.com	Dianne is a Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner, Board-Certified Integrative Health & Wellness Coach, and Certified Nutrition Educator, focusing on Nutrition and Wellness. She is certified through the Functional Nutrition Alliance, Board -Certified through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches and Institute Of Integrative Nutrition, and certified through the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. She also holds a Master of Social Work from Temple University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Staff, Museum of the City of New York N/A
Benjamin Nathans N/A	Benjamin Nathans teaches and writes about Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union, modern European Jewish history, and the history of human rights. He edited A Research Guide to Materials on the History of Russian Jewry (19th and Early 20th Centuries) in Selected Archives of the Former Soviet Union [in Russian] (Moscow, 1994) and is author of Beyond the Pale: The Jewish Encounter With Late Imperial Russia (Berkeley, 2002), which won the Koret Prize in Jewish History, the Vucinich Prize in Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies, the Lincoln Prize in Russian History and was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in History. Beyond the Pale has been translated into Russian (2007) and Hebrew (2013). Nathans has published articles on Habermas and the public sphere in eighteenth-century France, Russian-Jewish historiography, Soviet dissident memoirs, and many other topics. He is a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books and the Times Literary Supplement and an occasional commentator on current Russian affairs. From 2008 to 2012 he worked as a consultant for Ralph Appelbaum Associates, a leading museum design firm, chairing an international committee of scholars that helped design the content for the Museum of Jewish History in Moscow, which opened in November 2012. Nathans' most recent book, To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement, tells the story of dissent in the USSR from Stalin's death to the collapse of communism. It explores the idea and practice of rights and the rule of law in the setting of “mature socialism.” Rather than treat Soviet dissidents as avatars of Western liberalism, or take their invocation of rights and legal norms as natural, To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause investigates how, as products themselves of the Soviet order, dissidents arrived at a conception of law and human personality so at odds with official norms. Understanding this process - how orthodoxies contain the seeds of their own heresies, and how dissidents promoted the containment of Soviet power from within - promises to illuminate the broader problem of how citizens of authoritarian societies conceive and act on options for political engagement. Along with Prof. Gabriella Safran (Stanford University), Nathans co-edited Culture Front: Representing Jews in Eastern Europe (Penn Press, 2008), based on the 2002-03 seminar at Penn's Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, "Jewish History and Culture in Eastern Europe, 1600-2000," of which he was a co-organizer. He is co-editor, with Prof. Kenneth Moss (University of Chicago) and Prof. Taro Tsurumi (Tokyo University) of From Europe's East to the Middle East: Israel's Russian and Polish Lineages (Penn Press, 2021). He is currently editing and annotating the first English translation of the 3-volume autobiography of Russian-Jewish historian Simon Dubnov, The Book of Life: Memoirs and Reflections. Nathans has held visiting professorships at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris and at University College London. At Penn, he is a member of the Jewish Studies Program, the Russian and East European Studies Program, the Graduate Group in Comparative Literature, and the Graduate Group in Francophone, Italian, and Germanic Studies. He works with graduate students interested in the history of the Soviet Union, Imperial Russia, modern East European Jewry, and historical theory and method. Applicants who have questions about the graduate program in any of these sub-fields are encouraged to contact Prof. Nathans via email (see above) before the December application deadline. Interviews with finalists are usually conducted in January and February. If you are having any difficulty with the the Penn PhD application portal due to a military conflict or natural disaster, or because of your citizenship or country of origin, please let Prof. Nathans know as soon as possible. Selected Recent Articles, Essays, and Datasets "The Enigma of George Kennan," New York Review of Books vol. 72, no. 7 (April 24, 2025):49-51 “Go West, Comrade,” Times Literary Supplement no. 6336 (Sept. 6, 2024):22 “Bureaucrat’s Honor,” New York Review of Books vol. 69, no. 7 (April 21, 2022):10-12 “Victor Yefimovich Kelner, 1945–2021,” Jewish Quarterly Review Vol. 112, No. 2 (Spring 2022):228–233 “The Many Shades of Soviet Dissidence,” Kritika: Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History vol. 23, no. 1 (Winter 2022):185–196 "Stalin's Lawyers at Nuremberg," New York Review of Books vol. 68, no. 14 (September 23, 2021):38-41 “Time to Try the Impossible: Fighting Words in the USSR and Putin’s Russia," Times Literary Supplement no. 6149 (Feb. 5, 2021):22 “Profiles in Decency,” New York Review of Books vol. 67, no. 7 (April 23, 2020):50-52 “Rewriting Human Rights,” New York Review of Books vol. 66, no. 19 (Dec. 5, 2019):44-48 "Helsinki Syndrome: Human Rights and International Diplomacy," Times Literary Supplement no. 6038/9 (Dec. 21 & 28, 2018), The Human Rights Issue:6-7 “To Hell and Back,” New York Review of Books vol. 65, no. 198 (Dec. 8, 2018):34-36 “Bolshevism’s New Believers,” New York Review of Books vol. 64, no. 18 (November 23, 2017):18-21 “Russia: The Joyful New Activism,” New York Review of Books vol. 64, no. 13 (August 17, 2017): 51-54 “The Real Power of Putin,” New York Review of Books vol. 63, no. 14 (Sept. 29, 2016): 88-92 “Talking Fish: On Soviet Dissident Memoirs,” Journal of Modern History 87 (September 2015):579-614 "Database of Published Memoirs by Soviet Dissidents"
McKaig Nature Center N/A	Vytas Masalaitis, McKaig Park Ranger, VP KoP Historical Society (Ret.)
Staff, New Castle Historical Society N/A
Pat Nogar N/A	A native St. Louisan, in Philadelphia has made her mark as the “Diva of Lifestyle. She is the founder of “Living Well with Pat Nogar”, a company that features her interests and expertise in all things lifestyle including entertaining, cooking, gardening and in, general, bringing people together for the best possible experiences. For a number of years, Pat hosted a lifestyle show, “Living well With Pat Nogar” on LMTV and regularly shares her expertise across digital platforms. Pat is a Penn State Master Gardener, and a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, the international organization of food, fine beverages and entertaining.
Scott Noye chefdad928@yahoo.com	Scott Noye is a native Bostonian who has been living in the Philadelphia area for over 30 years. He received his BS degree in Culinary Arts and Management from Johnson and Wales University, and has been working in the retail, management, education, and customer service areas of the food industry. A father of three, Mr. Scott lives in Broomall, Delaware County Mr. Scott, as he is known by his students, is a home-cook, "foodie", and an avid fan and follower of the local restaurant scene. He is passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge and expertise, as well as using healthy, locally grown, and sustainable ingredients whenever possible. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Scott developed the idea for Chef Dad's Table. He was a teaching assistant at Widener University, a PA Certified Substitute Teacher, and a Culinary Instructor at a Lavner Summer Camp. When schools shut down due to COVID, Scott immediately answered parents' needs for homeschool assistance and tutoring. While working with his students, he also discovered that everyone was struggling to find non-traditional learning activities that were Covid-safe, yet interesting and fun. Scott's culinary training led him to develop cooking and baking classes for children. And thus "Chef Dad's Table" was born. Besides cooking and eating great food, one of the missions of Chef Dad's Table is to provide a safe and engaging place for kids and teens to learn and have fun. Whether it is to strengthen their academic skills or to explore their creative side, Chef Dad's Table offers students a variety of extra-curricular classes, activities, and camps. The classes teach life long skills, build confidence and self-esteem, and introduce students to a variety of vocations and opportunities that are available to them later in life. Chef Dad's Table continues to work with local like-minded organizations to educate people about Family and Consumer Sciences with the goal of helping those in need and reducing the burden that Food Insecurity causes. The students of Chef Dad's Table are introduced to volunteering and philanthropy through their efforts to help combat Food Insecurity and to increase social harmony in our communities.
Michelle Oosterbaan mjo3132@gmail.com	Michelle Oosterbaan’s drawings, wall paintings, and installations describe relationships between motion/stasis, and investigate ideas of cartography, memory and the idea of place, in an ever-evolving notion of the sublime landscape. Oosterbaan has exhibited internationally including the Weatherspoon Art Museum, The Drawing Center, The Delaware Art Museum, The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and Museum, The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, MO. Recent public art projects include the Democratic National Convention and the Mural Arts Philadelphia. She has a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis as a Fred Conway Scholar and an MFA from Indiana University with post-graduate studies in Florence, Italy with S.A.C.I and Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Currently she teaches at PAFA, Drexel University, Wilmington Friends, and the Fleisher Art Memorial. @mjoosterbaan; www.michelleoosterbaan.com
John Parker N/A	John Parker has grown orchids for 25 years and specializes in growing mediums and orchid care. He has worked with local organizations to revive their orchids and is particularly engaged in teaching non-specialists how to keep their orchids thriving.
Michelle Partlow N/A	Michelle is a professional educator and teaches Mah Jongg locally and around the country. She is a tournament player, lauded as an outstanding teacher who is enthusiastic and patient. https://mjwithmichelle.mailchimpsites.com/
Staff, Penns Woods Winery N/A
Robert Peters N/A	Robert Peters, Wine Specialist, Best of 'Philadelphia Magazine' has over 25 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. Wine Specialist at the Ardmore Fine Wine & Good Spirits store which is the number one store in the southeast Pennsylvania area. Rob has been working with MLSN for over 20 years.
Clayton Platt N/A	Clayton Platt’s professional background is a reflection of his diverse interests and talents. He served in leadership positions in finance and not-for-profit fundraising for over 30 years and then began what has been a very successful career as a corporate trainer and executive coach. Clayton has facilitated leadership development and performance improvement training at a wide range of organizations, including Fortune 50 companies, representing several of the most respected international learning and development companies. Clayton’s deep passion for helping individuals and teams discover and live into their true potential has been bolstered by his study of (and achievement of official certifications in) NeuroLeadership, and Emotional Intelligence. In January 2021 after practicing meditation for 20 years, Clayton completed a two-year intensive certification program to teach mindfulness meditation. In many ways this was the natural combination of his gifts and experiences; he has led over 300 hours of virtual mindfulness sessions since the beginning of 2020 and has personally participated in an annual average of four-day silent retreats since 2019. Clayton has enjoyed his previous opportunities to teach at MLSN both in-person and virtual classes. He launched his podcast Magic in the Moment – Mindfulness in Real Time and his book with the same title will be published in the fall of 2024.
Simone L. Pollard N/A	Ms. Pollard is a classically trained dancer who has studied many forms of dance from ballet to West African dance. She started dancing at age 3, when ballet slippers were placed on her feet, and then went on to wear tap, jazz, and pointe shoes, and sometimes no shoes! Ms. Pollard has been dancing ever since, with and without shoes, and has been diligent about incorporating her passion for dance into her life. A lifelong wellness enthusiast, Ms. Pollard created The Stretch Room® to bring the stretching practice she developed during her dancing tenure to others. Right brained and left brained, Ms. Pollard is keenly focused on wellness and self-care and combines those perspectives to enrich her life, and the lives of others. Ms. Pollard earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, basing her undergraduate thesis on dance and its mechanics (“An Analysis of Distributed Loads Experienced from Ballet and Gait”). Ms. Pollard also earned an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business where, among other leadership positions, she was the Director of Choreography for a major, annual school production. Prior to founding The Stretch Room®, Ms. Pollard traveled the world and thrived as an engineer, management consultant, higher education leader, and business development professional in a diverse set of industries.
Joel Price jfwp@jfwp.com	Joel F. W. Price is the Technology Outreach Team Lead at Swarthmore College. In addition, he has consulted for schools, musicians, and small businesses, including social media strategy and implementation, individual and small-group training and photography. He has spoken nationally at conferences on the topic of responsible and creative emerging media implementation.
Marie Roberts heart239@hotmail.com	MARIE ROBERTS, M.A. World Religions, M.S. Counseling Psychology, is an author, counselor, ordained Presbyterian minister, and teacher of yoga and meditation. She has taught well-being through body/mind/spirit integration for the past four decades. She can be reached at heart239@hotmail.com.
Leslie Robison leslie@masteryconsulting.net	Leslie Robison has provided coaching and organizing services 1999. She is passionate about helping you achieve more ease, credibility and satisfaction at home and at work. Master your day, master your life: Leslie@MasteryConsulting.net
Jason Rodriguez jdrodpictures@gmail.com	Jason D. Rodriguez is an illustrator who specializes in comic art and picture books for children, working digitally and traditionally. He teaches drawing and illustration to adults, teens and children. https://jdrpictures.bigcartel.com/
Cara Schneider Bongiorno caraschneiderbongiorno@gmail.com	Cara Schneider Bongiorno represented the city to travel media for more than 20 years at VISIT PHILADELPHIA® and now shares her love of the region through her entertaining Philly History Pop Ups – interactive talks on surprising parts of Philly history to inspire curiosity and future visits. For more, visit www.phillyhistorypopups.com
Julie Seville's Lifetime Fitness julie@sevillefitness.com	Julie has been leading group exercise classes for over 30 years and has been teaching classes at Main Line School Night since 1995. Fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Julie strives to make every class fun, informative and motivating, and to help her students achieve their health and fitness goals.
Cindy Shaw hello@paineshollowkitchen.com	As a child, Cindy spent time on her grandparents' 118-acre farm in Paines Hollow, a hamlet in Herkimer County, New York, three miles south of the Mohawk River. Memories of baking alongside her grandmother and family gatherings on the farm – birthday parties, holidays, and summer picnics – inspired Cindy to launch Paines Hollow Kitchen in 2021. The brand reflects her grandmother's approach to baking: small batches, made from scratch with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Learn more at paineshollowkitchen.com.
Cheri Skipworth phillyhandmadeu@gmail.com	Cheri Skipworth is the owner of the HandmadeU Studio. HandmadeU inspires creativity in others through offering a monthly craft subscription box as well as craft workshops. Cheri has been an avid crafter for more than 30 years and has been teaching arts and crafts to others for more than 20 years. https://www.phillyhandmadeu.com
MLSN Staff N/A	Staff, MLSN
Nancy Sullivan N/A	Nancy is a Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach with a lifelong commitment to healthcare and well-being. As a coach Nancy draws on her extensive experience in healthcare and passion for empowering others. She helps individuals build resilience by harnessing their unique strengths and guiding them toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Learn more at nancysullivanwellness.com.
Staff, Swedish Museum N/A
Lawrence Swesey N/A	I am a retired educator and military officer, married with three adult children. My educational experience is primarily in mentoring and instructing adult (both young and mature) students in a variety of disciplines. My professional educational career centered upon instructing juniors and seniors in a highly regarded academic public high school in Princeton Junction, New Jersey. My military career included a long assignment as a primary instructor at the U.S. Army’s Reserve Officer Advanced Course at Ft Knox, Kentucky. Additionally, my professional career included several years as an adjunct facility instructor at the college level. I have also, presented lectures, learning sessions and workshops at professional conferences and various organizations, developed and conducted educational tours of historical significant locations and mentored young professionals. After retiring from public school instruction I accepted a position as Adjunct Professor at Valley Forge Military College instructing Ethics and History. Since my professional retirement I have continued to give occasional lectures and conduct historical site educational tours. I also serve as a volunteer in the Museum Programs Department at The Benjamin Franklin Institute , Philadelphia, PA. Certifications and degrees include: Bachelor of Science The United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 1969 Master of Education Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1978 U.S. Army Instructor 275th U.S. Army Reserve School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1985 Major educational assignments include: High School Teacher Lower Moreland High School Huntingdon Valley, PA High School Teacher Lower Merion School District Lower Merion, PA Advanced Course Inst U.S. Officer Reserve Advanced Course Ft Knox, KY High School Teacher West Windsor-Plainsboro Sch. Dis trict Princeton Junction, NJ Adjunct Professor Valley Forge Military College Wayne, PA
Jood Thompson N/A	Jood Thompson is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach with a background in Psychology and Counseling and Human Relations. She co-founded a program dedicated to helping under-resourced students access independent day and boarding schools and volunteers her coaching expertise at the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy.
Ellen Trachtenberg braintreebooks@gmail.com	Ellen Trachtenberg is the owner of the Narberth Bookshop, which she opened in 2016 after more than 25 years of book industry experience. Prior to opening the bookshop, Ellen served as a book publicist and publishing consultant.
Sue Trembeth strembeth@comcast.net	Sue is an experienced teacher of Zentangle™ and paper crafting. She was recently featured on Action News for Zentangle™. She enjoys sharing the creativity and mindfulness of Zentangle™ with others. https://suezentangle.carrd.co/
Staff Tri-State Training mstewart@tristatetraining.com	Staff, Tri-State Training
Staff Union League N/A
Nury Vicens lasgreenpeas@gmail.com	Nury Vicens holds a MFA from University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Applied Art School of the University of Chile. Nury works in many different kinds of media and she currently works on portrait commissions and indoor murals. She has been noted as a PA Latino artist and was chosen to exhibit her paintings at the State Museum of Pennsylvania and The Berman Museum of Art. She has been invited to exhibit in Germany, Belgium and Chile as well as many juried exhibitions in the States. Her work was exhibited at Zone One Gallery in Philadelphia for many years.
Nancy White nancy@digitalconsultingassociates.com	Nancy White is owner of Digital Consulting Associates, LLC in West Chester PA. She is a technology course development specialist, and gives private computer lessons to individuals and business in the Main Line area. A graduate of Immaculata University, Nancy has a contagious passion for teaching adults how to make the best possible use of technology. She is also an adjunct instructor at Delaware County Community College. Nancy's company website is digitalconsultingassociates.com and she can be reached at 610-357-1525.
Anthony Wood N/A	In more than thirty years as a staff writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Anthony R. Wood has written on many and varied subjects, including taxes, coastal development, and the Gulf Stream. He is currently the policy and solutions editor at Philadelphia Media Network, publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and philly.com. His specialties, however, have been climate and weather. He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize four times and won numerous awards, including a National Association of Science Writers award for a newspaper series and a Society of Professional Journalists award for environmental writing. He writes frequently about weather, and his weather columns have long been a popular philly.com feature. Anthony also worked for several years for United Press International in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and New York as an editor/writer. He is also the author of Snow: A History of the World's Most Fascinating Flake (Rowman & Littlefield/Prometheus Books), and co-author of Crisis on the Coast (published by The Inquirer). Anthony grew up in beautiful downtown Chester, Pa., and lives in Wayne with his wife, Laura, and no pets that he's aware of. He and Laura have two sons (36 and 32), off making their own lives, and a granddaughter.
Julie Zagdanski N/A	Julie Alison Zagdanski, M.ed, is a certified wellness coach and artist with over 20 years of experience working with individuals, groups, and families to support personal growth and creative expression for healthier and happier life choices. Julie believes in the transformative power of creativity and has cultivated a teaching style that encourages exploration, imagination, and self-expression. She guides students of all ages in discovering their unique creative voices through various mediums, such as visual arts and creative writing for emotional expression and healing.