NIA® | Kevin VerEecke

Nia® is a mind body spirit fitness class designed to provide aerobic body conditioning and improved flexibility, strength, agility, mobility and stability. Nia draws from the dance arts ( modern, jazz and Duncan), the martial arts ( tai chi, tae kwon do, and aikido), and the healing arts (yoga, the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, and the Alexander Technique). No previous dance experience is necessary and any level of fitness can participate.

Kevin VerEecke is one of The Nia Technique's most popular teachers. He is known for his energetic style, sense of humor, and musicality. A resident of New York City, Kevin travels nationally and internationally offering classes, workshops, and trainings for Nia students and Nia teachers. Trained as a dancer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, he uses his movement and performance background to help inspire others to move beautifully and powerfully. Kevin is inspired by the philosophy of The Nia Technique that says “through movement, we find health, wellness, and fitness” and has been dancing Nia for over 12 years. This week at the Ranch, Kevin will be teaching the basics of this philosophy in his classes, and the week will culminate with a special Nia rendition of Tchaikovsky's seasonal favorite The Nutcracker Suite. Costumes encouraged so bring your tutu!

On the web http://www.nianow.com/kevin

Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher John Ash

John Ash was selected by Food and Wine magazine as one of America’s “Hot New Chefs” three decades ago, and he continues to have critical acclaim more than 28 years later. Voted the 2008 “Cooking School Teacher of the Year” by the International Association of Culinary Professionals, John is nationally renowned as a wine and food educator. John has served for many years as the Culinary Director of Fetzer and Bonterra Vineyards. He is the chair of a new program there for home cooks called The Sophisticated Palate.

John travels widely and enjoys teaching both home and professional cooks. The author of three books, John’s latest, “John Ash Cooking One-on-One: Private Lessons in Simple Contemporary Food from a Master Teacher,” won the 2005 James Beard award. His first book, “From the Earth to the Table: John Ash’s Wine Country Cuisine and American Game Cooking,” was awarded the IACP awards for Best American Cookbook and the Julia Child Cookbook of the Year. In 2007 a revised and updated version of this book was released titled “From the Earth to the Table.” John’s writing can be found periodically in the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Syndicate as well as publications such as EatingWell and Fine Cooking magazines.

Featured for two years on the Food Network and for the past 21 years he can be heard co-hosting a live food and wine radio talk show on KRSO in northern California. John is a passionate voice for the sustainable food movement and serves on a board of chefs who support ethical agriculture.

On the Web: www.chefjohnash.com, and www.sauvignonrepublic.com

John offers three hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. An additional class will be added depending upon demand. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our new culinary center. You also will have the opportunity to harvest produce you use from our organic garden, Tres Estrellas.

For more information and registration, please click here.

Women with a Past | Laura Dean

Women with a Past: This week's Ranch concert highlights the lives and music of three trail-blazing women composers. The program features a mix of piano music and juicy stories from Dana Suesse, Amy Beach, and Teresa Carreño. Laura will also play selections from her CD, Romanza de Amor. One selection of the performance features the beautiful bird photography of Joe Sweeney, former Ranch bird guide and fitness instructor.

Sing-along with Laura: A light-hearted class for singers and non-singers! Laura provides gentle guidance and accompaniment from the piano as participants choose selections from her song books. Repertoire includes folk songs, standards, Broadway selections, and popular songs.

Laura's music career spans twenty years and includes venues throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Mexico. She lives in Seattle where she performs, teaches, records, and collaborates on a variety of music projects including private and public concerts, school residencies, and music education workshops.

In Feb. 2013, she returns to Mexico City to perform a concert featuring the music of Manuel Ponce (1882-1948), Mexico's most beloved composer. Laura's debut recording, Romanza de Amor, features a selection of solo piano works from Ponce.
Laura is dedicated to the repertoire of culturally diverse composers and features art music from around the world. With her keen interest and experience in composers of the western hemisphere, she regularly includes Manuel M. Ponce, Ernesto Nazareth, Louis Gottschalk, Stephen Foster, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Amy Beach, and George Gershwin, to name a few.