Education & Classes in Atlanta

Maestro Arkady Burdan began his fencing career in Europe. There, he earned prestigious distinctions, including the USSR Master of Sports and Honored Coach of the Ukrainian Republic, after coaching the winners of more than 40 gold medals in international competition. After opening Nellya Fencing in 1990, Burdan has trained his students—as well as U.S. Olympians at the Beijing and Athens games—in the traditional discipline of the Russian saber. The maestro was recently named Elite Coach of the Year and inducted into the US Fencing Hall of Fame for his ability to spear all five Olympic rings with a single thrust.

Every fencer at Nellya begins their training with extensive footwork and bladework, sharpening discipline and focus while learning the rigorous technique of the Russian saber. As they gain strength and point control, they will also learn to deflect attacks and plot strategies that will help them compete in national and intergalactic arenas. In the past, students have gone on to become collegiate fencers, and five have represented both their school and country in the Olympics, including three-time medalist Sada Jacobson.

The resident chefs at The Cooking School at Irwin Street model their teaching style after that of the quirky, patient Julia Child as they walk kitchen cadets through the basics of food transmogrification with a collection of helpful and laughter-filled classes held in two distinctive locations. Tucked away in the historic Old Fourth Ward, the indoor kitchen lets students loose on modern appliances amid appetite-kindling hues of pumpkin and avocado. The newly unveiled farm kitchen, meanwhile, incorporates vine-fresh produce and just-picked herbs from the surrounding soil in recipes prepared under the open sky. In both of these settings, the instructors pare cooking down to the essentials—an open mind, an eager palate, and a sharp, non-argumentative knife. Classes cater to a number of dietary restrictions, from creative vegan options and gluten-free baking lessons to smoked-meat sessions for inveterate salamivores. Most classes are BYOB, and some sessions are open to parent-child combos.

Founded by former Georgia Tech cheerleading coach Matt Cremers and his wife, Angela, a high-level gymnast, Champion Kids offers classes, camps, and open play opportunities on a padded playland of colorful obstacles. Prior to opening Champion Kids in 2006, Matt and Angela taught gymnastics and cheerleading to children for more than 15 years. Champion Kids’ programs integrate foam pits, music, and dancing to keep students motivated. Classes include parent-tot gymnastics and preschool gymnastics, which keep students moving and learning while developing the skills to navigate the bars and vaults strewn throughout most work environments. Ballet and jazz classes are also available with Champion Kids' 20-year veteran dance instructor, Miss Ashley, who began her competitive dancing career at only 7 years old.