Virtual Class Instructors and Facilitators

David Dring

Technology Instructor and manager of BRC's program schedule

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

Julie Ross

Mapping Your Family History

 Julie Ross is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and adjunct faculty member at the Silberman School of Social Work.

Rachael Marotta

Kwarantine Kitchen, Trips & Travel, Yahtzee & more!

Rachael loves the interactive nature of classes: not teaching but interacting with members. She loves to develop a class based on suggestions, so please reach out with your best ideas! (Pictured, Rachael with her beloved Grandma Joan.)

​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 Bay Ridge Connects in 2019. She has been doing needlepoint for about 40 years and assorted crafts over the years. 

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.

High Priestess Saviii Anxelina

Sound Healing Meditation (Connects)

High Priestess Saviii Anxelina is fascinated by how primal (song) + verbal (language/poetry) sound can design inclusive landscapes for all.

Matthew Lyon

Smartphone for Beginners, For and Age Friendly Bay Ridge

Matthew is an intern from theSilberman School of Social Work at Hunter College
He is passionate about coffee, biking, and the climate crisis.

Maryah Thompson

Music and Coloring

Maryah is an intern and an MSW student at Columbia University. She is passionate about music and helping people live their best life.

Mary Ann Coughlin

Stretch, Tone, Tai Chi,  health talks, Outdoor walks

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.

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 (Connects)

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.

Kristin Miller

Chair Yoga (Connects)

​Kristin Miller is a certified yoga instructor with many years' experience teaching restorative yoga.

Sydney T. Inger

Veterans Program (Connects)

Sydney is a current MSW candidate studying at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Her research and activism focuses on food and housing insecurities across various age populations and minorities.

Cynthia La China

LaBlast Cardio Dance  Fitness

Cynthia La China is the Founder of NYSalsababy Dance Company, a profes-sional Salsa Dancer, instructor, choreo-grapher and a performer since 2004.

Kathleen Walker

Fun and Fit (Connects)

​Kathleen Walker has been an athlete, coach, Physical Education teacher, Supervisor, University adjunct professor, consultant and Hatha Yoga instructor.

Tanisha Singh

Short Stories

Tanisha is an intern from Columbia University where she is an MSW student. She is passionate about health and wellness and loves working out.