Education & Classes in Mercerville

Working as a journalist and media executive didn’t give Moses Frenck the view of the world that he wanted. He wanted to fly. So he began pursuing his passion for aviation by enrolling in Royal Karina Air Service’s instrument-training program, and was so impressed that he eventually took over the company in 2009. Along with his vice president, Dara Frenck, he rents airplanes and offers training classes to all types of pilots, ranging from professionals to recreational flight enthusiasts.

For more than 23 years, the company’s fleet of IFR-certified Cessna aircraft has brought budding aviators closer to their private piloting licenses, with GPS-guided practice flights in the scenic airspace between Philadelphia and New York. Frenck’s instructors––many boasting tens of thousands of flight hours and world-class air-traffic-control experience¬¬––teach pilots to soar above the Big Apple’s skyline or dip down to snatch the candy bar clutched within the Statue of Liberty’s hand.

Brooklyn Bead Box arms crafters with beads and findings that run the gamut from simplicity to statement pieces, with prices starting at pennies to accommodate diverse project budgets. Semiprecious stones, unlike boulders covered in glitter, make for classic jewelry shining next to Swarovski crystals on strands and hanging solo. Clasps and beading tools finish jewelry makers' handiwork, and instruction books and large-holed beads give beginners a foothold in the art.

Beaders can also mingle with peers in one of Brooklyn Bead Box's 10 classes, each capped at four students to allow instructors to individualize attention and curb the antics of class clowns. The curricula cover topics ranging from introductory techniques to the more complex arts of crafting wire cuff bracelets or beading hoop earrings. For further beading camaraderie, up to 12 kids can celebrate a birthday at the shop while hand making their own accessories.

In 1998, School of Rock's first location was built in Philadelphia to strengthen kids' self-confidence, develop their musicianship, and most importantly, spark an insatiable enthusiasm to learn. Today, the School of Rock franchise has branched out to more than 65 locations throughout the United States and Mexico. During the school's music lessons, encouraging instructors well versed in methods of rocking and rolling—such as strumming guitars, tickling keyboards, and causing avalanches with yodels—demystify music theory for mini Mick Jaggers of all skill levels.

School of Rock's Rock 101 program acquaints beginners with the instrument of their choice using a curriculum of weekly private lessons and group band rehearsals. Virtuosos ready to hit the stage can participate in the performance program, which prepares students for live performances that pay homage to beloved rock icons such as Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Mount Rushmore.

Mixology Wine Institute's oenophilic classes teach aspiring mixologists and mixonomists how to craft a diverse roster of libations while regaling students with the rich history and social function of the cocktail. The seasoned staff—which includes a resident sommelier and beer experts—dispense thoughtful nuggets of drink-dispensing wisdom, such as ways to add flair to a bartending routine, various wine-and-food pairings, and how to win a cocktail-sword duel. Each session takes place in the institute's well-equipped classroom, which simulates a real bar setting with working soda guns, sinks, and a full catalog of liquors. Pupils leave classes with the knowledge necessary to help bargoers make informed drink decisions.

In A’ La Art’s walk-in studio, art-savvy staffers share technical tips and aesthetic advice as they mingle with visitors painting pottery, molding clay, and arranging fused-glass projects. Patrons can customize plain bisque pieces—selected from an array of hundreds—with stencils and stamps before daubing on food-safe paints and glazes. Alternatively, they can layer iridescent patterns of colored glass beads onto clear glass bases, creating fused glassware such as bowls, plates, or one-use hammers. Experts kiln-fire completed work, which patrons can pick up roughly a week after their studio time.

“Have you ever wanted to fly?” It’s an imaginative question, and a proposition that becomes more realistic after you learn the kiteboarding skills that uKite.Pro's instructors teach. During lessons, the experts teach students to launch their gear from Plumb Beach's waters, eventually building up to skills that let them soar through the air. After beginners complete on-land lessons, they can venture into the water, where they learn to balance atop boards and speed behind fully powered kites. The team at uKite.Pro also schedules private lessons, during which kiteboarders have the chance to learn advanced skills, such as telling the wind where to blow.