If your idea of fun is learning new skills or honing old ones, these links will be of interest to you. New Bern offers a wide variety of adult education, from workforce development and traditional academic courses, to lifetime learning skills courses on a wide variety of subjects from computers to art to photography to music and dance.

For children through to teens, New Bern NC also has an extensive variety of classes in dance such as ballet or tap lessons, to music classes (need piano lessons?), to karate and art.

Review the venues and schools below for classes that interest you and your family:

ADULT ENRICHMENT CLASSES IN NEW BERN NC

• Craven Community College (CCC) Continuing Education www.cravencc.edu: In addition to traditional academic courses, CCC offers Continuing Education courses for anyone in the community. One one side, they offer courses in workforce and occupational development, distance education, computer skills, and free small business seminars and entrepreneurial assistance at the Small Business Center.

Additionally, they offer a wide range of interesting, fun and hobby and skills courses for the entire community in their Lifetime Learning Center. Some lifetime learning courses labeled Senior Exempt (SrEx) are free for seniors 65 years or older.

Check the schedule for all Continuing Education classes at: www.cravencc.edu/educational/continuing.cfm.

ART CLASSES IN NEW BERN NC

• Art & Materials www.artandmaterials.com: The top art supplies store in New Bern, Art & Materials offers a wide variety of courses to budding and experienced artists, from pottery and water colors to oil painting, silk scarf painting and even beadwork. They also have art classes for children. Visit them at 219 Middle Street in downtown New Bern, NC or call at 252-514-2787  Check their schedule of current and upcoming art classes.

• Craven Community College Lifetime Learning Courses: CCC offers many art classes from photography to drawing to painting and more. Check their schedule.

DANCE CLASSES AND DANCE SCHOOLS IN NEW BERN NC

• Rivertowne Ballroom: Offers ballroom dance classes in downtown New Bern at 305 Pollock St, New Bern, NC. Call (252) 637-2003. They are pleased to offer the services of The Broadway Dance Company and Emanuel Vaceanu from Raleigh who offer: "Private lessons, Group and master classes, seminars in American smooth and Rhythm, International Standard and Latin, Theatre Arts, Performing Arts, Technique for man and ladies. Ballet beginning to advanced. Turns, jumps, choreography, pas de deux, point training for ladies. Coaching for competitions."

   

• Down East Folk Arts Society Contra Dances: Dances include live music (jigs, reels and old time tunes) and a caller who teaches and prompts every dance. Held at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC, beginner lessons start at 7pm (call first), and the regular dance runs from &:30-10:30pm. Check their web site for a Schedule of  Contra Dances and Bands. For directions or information please call (252) 504-2787.

• Craven Historical Dancers: Being fortunate to boast the colonial era Tryon Palace, New Bern would naturally have historical dancing classes. Craven Historical Dancers is an adult historical dance troupe performing 18th-century social dances, including reels, country dances, minuets, cotillions and jigs. They entertain IN COSTUME at holiday performances, festivals and other events, particularly at the Tryon Palace's annual Holiday Candlelight Tours. An offshoot youth group, the New Bern Dancing Assembly, is a costumed Baroque dance performing group for both girls and boys from 4th grade through 12th. For more information, visit their web site at www.baroquedance.com/classes.htm.

  • All Baroque dance classes and workshops are offered at Down East Dance studio (see below).

  • Craven Historical Dancers: 724 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC. Call (252) 636-0476 for information.

• Down East Dance: Offers classes for all ages in ballet, pointe, jazz and tap. Performance Groups include:

  • Down East Dance ballet faculty and students stages The Nutcracker every other Christmas season with guest artists.

  • The Contemporary Dance Exchange, a non-competitive youth contemporary dance group.

  • The New Bern Dancing Assembly, the Baroque historical dance troupe for grades 4th-12th.

  Location: 2500 Trent Rd., Suite 4, New Bern, NC. Call (252) 633-9622.

• Dance Theatre Performing Arts Studios, Inc.-  Offers dance classes for all ages and skills, including classical ballet and pointe, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, tap and jumpstart. Location: 2107 S. Glenburnie Rd., New Bern, NC. Visit their web site www.dance-theatre.com or call (252) 637-1818.

• Get the Pointe: Ballet dance studio for young and old.2307 US 70 Hwy East, New Bern, NC. Call (252) 633-0641.

• Margaret Fletcher Dance Studio:  Run by a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, this studio offers dance classes for all ages from the little ones to adults. Includes ballet, tap, jazz, and for adults, ballroom as well. Community shows and recitals are held for all ages. For more information, visit her web site www.margaretfletcherdancestudio.com or call (252) 633-4902.

• New Bern Ballet: Offers ballet classes from the little ones to adult. Performs at many local events, including Mumfest and offers a performance of The Nutcracker. Location: 102 Market St.; New Bern, NC. Visit their web site at www.newbernballet.com for information of call 252-633-5800.

• Wanda Kay's School of Dance: Offers classes for all ages in ballet, pointe, jazz and tap. Location: 801 Cardinal Rd., New Bern, NC. (252) 636-2811.

• The L A D School of Performing Arts:  508 Highway 17 S in Bridgeton, NC. Call (252) 638-3347

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, GUITAR AND PIANO CLASSES in NEW BERN NC

• Fuller's Music Store: The store to get all your music supplies and musical instruments from band and orchestra instruments ranging from drums and other percussion, to brass instruments, woodwinds, and strings. In addition, they repair all sorts of music, have recording and even do piano moving! They also have experienced instructors to offer individual classes from piano to guitar to other band instruments. Location: 2310 Trent Road. Call 252) 638-2811 or visit their web site www.fullersmusic.com for more information.

• Music Teachers: Fuller's offers a list of local music teachers.

ADULT, SENIOR AND YOUTH RECREATION CLASSES and GROUPS

• New Bern Recreation Centers: Various adult and youth recreation classes are held at the various recreation centers around New Bern. Activities include sports from karate, fencing and fitness to youth and teen activities from girl scouts, cheerleading, teen or middle school dances, and senior activities and group meetings. Check the City of New Bern Parks and Recreation web site for classes and activities.

• New Bern Outdoor Adventures Club: This club offers a variety of outdoor activities such as canoeing, hiking, sailing, white-water rafting, climbing and other outdoor adventures for the over 35 group to retiree and beyond. Previous experience in these activities is not required. For more information call 639-2908, 639-2920 or see website at www.nboac.org. Meetings are held at the West New Bern Recreation Center on every 3rd Tuesday, 7:00pm.