Education & Classes in Bixby

Labzara Ranch’s headmaster, Roseann Lobser, has been a riding instructor for more than 40 years, imparting the finer points of equestrian operation to students both young and old. Under Roseann’s watchful eye, students learn the proper form of riding in the Australian style, English style––which requires that riders keep both hands on the reins––, or Western style––which uses only one hand so the other is free to prospect for gold. Also a certified art teacher, her summer camps invite kids 5 years old and up to meet the ranch's ten horses; ride them in parades; and work on painting, pottery, and other art projects once the day gets too hot for riding.

Founded in 1985, Theatre Arts, Inc. has continued to honor its core mission of supplying Oklahomans with performance education and opportunities. Within a 7,900-square-foot facility, students train tapping toes in more than 10 styles of dance—including tap, jazz, and hip-hop—and channel their inner thespian in acting classes or private lessons that focus on both improvisation and script work. Private instruction and classes also accommodate vocalists who receive personalized tips on stage presence from the faculty and practice harmonizing by singing duets with humming radiators. Numerous alumni have harnessed their training into careers, working locally and nationally on television and Broadway, and two—Lauren Nelson and Shawntel Smith—have gone on to become Miss America.

Students at Dance Dynamics, a registered member of the Canadian Dance Federation, may recognize the director, Herb Clarke. The veteran dance teacher and Dance Saskatchewan board of directors member has starred in his own teaching series on Shaw Cable and has appeared alongside Juliet Prowse on PBS’s Championship Ballroom Dancing. He harnesses his fleet-footed expertise and choreography experience to lead students of all skill levels through lessons in a variety of dance styles, such as rumba, salsa, swing, and waltz. In doing so, Clarke and his teaching staff help students reap the benefits of dance, such as stress relief, weight loss, and the ability to summon Fred Astaire by whispering his name into a candlelit mirror.

With an emphasis on safety, Oklahoma Safety & Security Source's owners Bart and Donna Batman aim to educate the Tulsa community on the fundamentals of handgun ownership and operation. The facility's weapons experts lead courses on various subjects, including the operation, maintenance, and dietary requirements of handguns, including NRA-certified courses. Inside the range, five bays open up to marksmen for sessions that test skills and targeting prowess. The team's professionals also advise law-enforcement agencies and consult on personal and business security needs.

A reservation at du jour is more than just an intimate meal with friends. A rotating mix of house and guest chefs work in the kitchen crafting four to eight courses with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, all while fielding questions from rows of diners watching their every move. Guests indulge their culinary interests with du jour's curriculum of interactive and observational lessons.

Hands-on cooking sessions allow students to practice basic kitchen techniques, teaching them how to whisk together classic sauces, make their own soft cheeses, and add the perfect amount of heat to Cajun dishes. Demonstration classes, on the other hand, allow the attendees to sit at the kitchen's bar and watch while a chef explains how to cook with garden-fresh herbs or pair beers with football teams. These observational classes end with at least a four-course meal and can include recipes to take home or wine pairings to enjoy with the entrees.

Believing that learning and behavioral disorders stem from improper communication between brain hemispheres, Brain Balance Achievement Centers offers a drug-free, multi-faceted program to boost brain function. Physical and cognitive exercises combine with easy-to-follow dietary changes to address social, academic and behavioral issues associated with ADHD, Asperger's, and other social and learning disorders without the use of medication. Now more than 50 Brain Balance Achievement Centers practice this Hemispheric Integration Therapy, with professional teams tailoring programs to help kids improve focus and behavior, academic performance, communication, and social skills.