Education & Classes in Batavia

The consortium of professional instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, which was cofounded by the legendary toe tapper himself, shepherds students of all ages and skill levels through lessons that span the style spectrum. Low-pressure private sessions allow enthusiastic teachers to fine-tune individual students' techniques and form, using their expert eyes and mechanical dancing shoes preprogrammed to do the Charleston. Patrons can learn how to cavort through classic waltz and fox-trot romps or swivel through the modern steps of salsa, swing, or samba. For dancers hoping to hoof it up in a social setting, the group practice parties provide a one-night extravaganza of instruction, demonstrations, and amateur firewalking.

In his band AudioInflux, lead guitarist and backup vocalist George Miller works atop the deep grooves of soul, funk, and jazz styles. He's equally well equipped to get his guitar and bass students playing their favorite blues, rock, metal, or classical pieces, and even write and record solidly constructed pieces of their own. Armed with a degree in music performance and a decade and a half of teaching experience, Miller helps pupils with all kinds of goals unleash their inner B.B. King or Les Claypool, whether they want to front a band or simply harmonize with the bonfire during outdoor sing-alongs.

From May to October, the white sails of keelboats dot the waters along the shore of Lake Erie. There, head instructor Captain Pierre Wallinder leads the ASA-certified staff of Sail Buffalo Sailing School in a handful of courses to demystify the art of wind navigation. Watchful instructors help students earn their basic keelboat certification, explore the nuances of the lake's waters, or learn to properly recite passages from Moby Dick from the bow of a ship. Tender-footed youths can take part in nautical day camps that teach kids both the basics of sailing and fundamental lessons in teamwork and organization.

Reading, writing, and mathematics don't come easily for everyone. At Canadian Learning Centre, dedicated staff members harness their own expertise to connect with adults and kids and guide them toward mastering their areas of difficulty. A phonics-based curriculum familiarizes students with vowels and consonants and helps them easily distinguish between silent letters and the ones that shout out loud. In writing sessions, pupils learn to apply grammatical rules and proper punctuation as they write stylish paragraphs. During mathematics sessions, students cover the basics, including addition and measurements, as well as more advanced skills such as calculus, geometry, and trigonometry.

Groove Juice Swing's nine multitalented dance instructors, many of whom also play instruments, have spent more than a decade helping novice dancers sharpen their rug-cutting skills during private and group classes, which focus on Jazz Age and swing-era styles. In their quest to master the art of swing, students shuffle their feet through three levels of dance classes that build on one another, beginning with level-one classes covering the basics. Level-two classes, which focus on the lindy hop, teach participants to float on air as if they were standing on a floor of industrial fans, and level-three classes delve into more advanced techniques, such as doing the Charleston with a partner.

Outside of Groove Juice Swing––located at Tango Cafe’s dance studio––passersby can hear jazzy tunes by Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Nina Simone emanating from lively dance classes held every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night. Aside from classes, students can flaunt freshly learned skills during Groove Juice Swing’s annual Stompology workshop or events with live bands hosted by dance experts Steven Mitchell and Virginie Jensen.

Tops Cooking School is nestled inside Tops grocery store, one of a chain of stores known for its fresh produce and skilled butchers. Their state-of-the-art kitchens, decked out with gleaming Viking appliances, set the stage for both hands-on cooking classes and professional demonstrations. During demonstrations, a chef prepares entrees in front of students, carefully displaying techniques and offering advice for prepping dishes at home or in bomb shelters located under homes. Hands-on classes put the students behind the counter, giving them a chance to practice preparing anything from Indian cuisine to healthy meals designed for people with diabetes, heart concerns, or gluten allergies. Local craft beer and wine accompany adult classes, and games and candy accompany children's cooking classes for tots ages 3 and up.