Education & Classes in Tucson

A small group of explorers stands beneath an open dome of night sky as pinpricks of starlight glitter against the expanse's dark blues and blacks. Each spot of light even seems to look much clearer from here—likely because the group is standing 9,157 feet above sea level. At the Stewart Observatory inside Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter at the mountain's summit, scientists guide visitors through the use of gear such as a 32-inch Schulman telescope—the state's largest public viewing telescope—to probe the far reaches of space to learn about celestial phenomena and take in magnified images of the universe just above.

Days and nights at the center bring a slew of learning experiences to budding astronomers. Accompanied by University of Arizona scientists, Discovery Days lead explorations of topics such as tree rings, hummingbirds, and meteorology, frequently beckoning students into the surrounding outdoors. During nightly SkyNights programming, groups summit Mt. Lemmon for a five-hour evening of dining and stargazing at the observatory. One-on-one time with heavenly bodies comes courtesy of Astronomer Nights, wherein site staffers grant singles or pairs lodging, private access to the Schulman telescope, and the chance to contribute directly to the field upon discovering a supernova, nebula, or handlebar mustache on the man in the moon.

Periodically, the scientific team also expounds on specific topics, such as digital celestial imaging, with the public in multiple-day workshops. Each participant builds on the Stewart Observatory's list of achievements since 1970, which include furthering infrared astronomy, surveying the moon for Apollo lunar landings, and searching for near-Earth asteroids.

Despite what owner Rachel Yaseen has discovered for herself, she knows that cooking organic, healthful meals might seem intimidating to some. At The Organic Kitchen, she works to banish those impressions and inspire students with her own enthusiasm for natural foods, whether through cooking classes or intensive workshops. “Students learn to eat outside of the industrial food chain,” noted reporter Emily Gindlesparger of Zócalo Tucson magazine, “developing instead the creativity to source from their own yards and work with ingredients available in the Southwest throughout the seasons.”

Pupils learn to improve their eating habits and concoct quick and simple at-home feasts that draw on local veggies, grains, beans, herbs, and spices. Each class features only gluten-free recipes, and the sessions focus on culinary traditions from India, the Mediterranean, and other regions. Pantry makeovers go even further, helping facilitate lifestyle shifts with cooking classes and one-on-one coaching to rid kitchens of powdered hot dogs. When not educating, the chefs handcraft gluten- and soy-free Hiker-Biker bars from local honey and dates.

Pupils learn to improve their eating habits and concoct quick and simple at-home feasts that draw on local veggies, grains, beans, herbs, and spices. Each class features only gluten-free recipes, and the sessions focus on culinary traditions from India, the Mediterranean, and other regions. Pantry makeovers go even further, helping facilitate lifestyle shifts with cooking classes and one-on-one coaching to rid kitchens of powdered hot dogs. When not educating, the chefs handcraft gluten- and soy-free Hiker-Biker bars from local honey and dates.

Elemental Artistry's performers play with fire for a living. Blending the fluidity of dance with a theatrical sense of spectacle, the troupe—which includes an NBTA gold-medalist baton twirler—whirls flaming props into fiery vortexes, dazzling spectators at events ranging from the Tucson Celtic Festival to the sweet sixteens of local volcano gods.

In addition to more than 150 performances since 2007—some of which have earned print and television attention in the Arizona Daily Star and on KOLD News—troupe members teach their craft in workshops and classes that lead students of all ages through movements, such as poi spinning, staff and baton twirling, and hula hooping, using unlit props, at least to start. The art form's constant movement and careful coordination can help to tone muscles, awaken ambidexterity, heighten kinesthetic awareness, and occasionally open interdimensional doorways. Elemental Artistry's dance architects can also develop flame-free spectacles using props ablaze with LED lights.

Drum & Drummer instructor Erik Truelove knows how to improvise. When the country-rocker and four-time winner of the National Association of Music Merchants' World's Most Accurate Drummer title found himself at a TV gig with no cymbals, he simply pulled the license plates off his car and attached them to his kit, he reported to the Tucson Citizen in 2009. This spirit of flexibility and quick thinking is something he passes along to his students in both group and private lessons. Other instructors—all working musicians—join in that goal backed by expertise in hand drumming, R&B grooves, jazz improvisation, and competitive marching percussion.

To mark progress and keep motivation levels kicking, the school uses a program of Truelove's own devising. Modeled on karate's belt system, sets of colored drumsticks provide a vivid reminder of the skills students have conquered. To advance in rank, they must master their level's set of grooves, fills, and concepts, then perform a predetermined song at the school's performance center. Class sizes are typically capped at 10 students to ensure lots of one-on-one assistance and keep the downstairs neighbors from constantly calling the cops with noise complaints.

The Practical Chef schools fledgling foodies in an approachable environment with the added benefit of certified executive chef Craig Nassar's years of gourmet know-how. Hands-on classes ($65¬–$90) include all necessary ingredients and equipment—saving you the trouble of transporting your industrial-grade meat tenderizer by city bus—and offer a delightful repertoire of beginner and intermediate techniques open to all experience levels. Basic Cooking Techniques gets newbies up to speed on the nitty-gritty of browning meats, whipping up sauces, cooking grains, roasting root vegetables, and cooking leafy greens, while the katana-sharp Knife Skills class trains slicing sempais to mince, dice, and julienne with dignity and honor. Upcoming tutorials include pasta workshops, where students learn to fashion a variety of fresh noodles and seasonal sauces from scratch—an ethereal substance made from leprechaun hair, comet dust, and the residue of one’s first kiss. The Enticing Tapas class, meanwhile, covers an array of small plates provocative enough to inspire even the most bashful schoolmarm to flamenco her way across the gas range. At the end of each class, ravenous students get to feed on their freshly prepared meal before toting the recipes home for later replication.

CYT Tucson immerses kids in a supportive environment that nurtures discipline and self-confidence while instructing the future thespians in the arts of the stage. Their introductory Rising Stars program acquaints children aged 5–7 to the magic of drama through games, dance, and the lesson that emotions can be faked to influence people other than relatives and mall Santas. Older students can enroll in specialized classes and devote their attention to the triple-threat disciplines of singing, dancing, and acting. They may also branch out into specialty courses on such topics as improv and stage fighting. Leading its charges through the production of a fully realized musical, the center also stages several shows, including past productions of Pocahontas and Annie in recent years.