Virtual Class Instructors and Facilitators

David Dring

Technology Instructor and manager of BRC's online programs

David is Director of Innovative Programs for Older Adults at Bay Ridge Center

Julie Ross

Brain Games, Thursday at Noon

Julie Ross is a new staff member at Bay Ridge Senior Center and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and adjunct faculty member at the Silberman School of Social Work.

Rachael Marotta

Kwarantine Kitchen, Scattergories, Trips & Travel, and more!

Rachael's love of worldwide travel and intergenerational friendships has led her to develop these classes. She loves the interactive nature of the classes: not teaching but interacting with members. Rachael loves when she can develop a class based on member suggestions, so please reach out with your best ideas! (Pictured, young Rachael with her beloved Grandma Joan.)

Whitney Hamilton

Drawing & Watercolor

Whitney is a working artist in Bay Ridge and  has a BFA from Birmingham Southern College and an MFA Pratt Institute. She is also a writer, director and actor with three of her own feature films out on various streaming platforms.

Gail Karpf

Books on the Ridge Book Club

Gail is a long-time resident of Bay Ridge. She taught for 40 years (her favorite grade to teach was 7th) and is a avid reader.

Lily Moldan

Living Well

Lily Moldan is a Bay Ridge Center intern and MSW candidate at the Silberman School of Social Work.

Charley Eichler

Trivia, Mondays at 4 pm

Charley is a Bay Ridge Center member, member of the Senior Advisory Council, and a long-time Brooklyn resident.

Margaret Rau

Living Well Series

Margaret is a Master's student at Silberman School of Social Work. She values creativity, adventure, authenticity, and compassion.

Michael Schumer

Bay Ridge Heroes

Michael is Director of Strategic Initiatives on the Bay Ridge Center staff.

Migdalia (Miki) Vargas

Art of Listening

Migdalia (Miki) currently works as a Patient Navigator in the department of Oncology at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. She also is a student of social work at Sacred Heart University. Her passion is helping people find their way in life through improving their quality of life through health education.

Ruth Benn

Nature Talks

Ruth is Outreach Associate for Bay Ridge Center. She updates the website calendar and sends the program emails.

Mary Ann Coughlin

Stretch, Tone, Cardio, Tai Chi and health talks with nursing students

Mary Ann is a Physical Therapist and Bay Ridge Center's Health Management Specialist. She has been a consultant and exercise instructor at BRC for more than 15 years and lives in Bay Ridge.

​Nissha Marksman

Zoomba Intro & Zoomba Gold

A native Brooklyn resident, Nissha is energetic and enthusiastic about having fun while working out. She is a licensed Strong Nation & Zumba Gold instructor who enjoys dancing.

Lorraine Perricone - Dazzo

Meditation and Mindfulness and Yoga Relaxation

Lorraine is a Bay Ridge native, yoga teacher, and nonprofit professional dedicated to sharing the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of yoga with all people.

​Jennifer Gibson

Chair Yoga and Yoga Meditation

Jennifer has been a Yoga Instructor since 2005, specializing in Chair Yoga for seniors since 2011. She is passionate about making the practice of yoga accessible to everyone.

Rosemary Shabouk

Connecting with Crafts

Rosemary joined Knitting Corner at Bay Ridge Connects in 2019. She has been doing needlepoint for about 40 years and assorted crafts over the years.  "Having met the talented ladies in the Knitting Corner, I am now learning new ones and making great friends."

Kristal Greenlea

Connect Through Theatre; Game Day

Kristal interned at Bay Ridge Center in 2019-2020 and continued to lead these two programs for members.

Katarina Bartel

Bay Ridge Heroes

Katarina is a first-year social work student and intern at the Bay Ridge Center. 

Jennifer Panicali

Lunchtime Chats

Jen Panicali, a graduate student at the Silberman School of Social Work. She is a fan of all forms of art and has worked with a variety of media and materials, from pencils and paint to metal and clay. 

Melanie Dessommes

Virtual Gardening

Melanie Dessommes is a social work intern from New York University and loves literature.

Indra Narayan

Seeking Safety in a Time of Uncertainty

Indra is an intern from Boston University where she is pursuing a Masters in Social Work. She has worked as a counselor, case manager and teacher.