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
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.
Aura Blanco
Good Morning, Bay Ridge!
Aura is a Bay Ridge Center intern and a student at the Columbia University School of Social Work.
Andrew Tivon Orenstein
Rhythm & Beats; Emerging Artists
Andrew Tivon Orenstein is an intern from the Silberman School of Social Work. He has a filmmaking background and love of creative arts
Charley Eichler
Trivia
Charley is a Bay Ridge Center member, member of the Senior Advisory Council, and a long-time Brooklyn resident.
Katarina Bartel
Mindfulness Mondays; 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.
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."
Lily Moldan
Living Well
Lily Moldan is a Bay Ridge Center intern and MSW candidate at the Silberman School of Social Work.
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.
Leslyn Waldron Bascom
Women's Empowerment
Leslyn is a final year MSW student at LIU with concentration is gerontology; she has worked with the older adult population approximately 5 years and developed an interest in their well-being and livelihood.
Margaret Rau
What's Driving You Crazy; , Living Well
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.