Free classes designed for Older Adults — learn new skills, stay active, and connect with your community at Golden West College.
Contact us if you have questions.
Every Encore class is free, with no tuition costs and no prerequisites. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn.
Category: Theater Arts
This noncredit course is designed for older adults who want practical participation in acting and improvisation for the stage. Areas of study include acting and improvisation techniques. Students are expected to participate in exercises in acting, improvisation, speech, movement, and diction. Students will also learn skills to present a scene or monologue taken from published classical and contemporary comedic and dramatic plays.
Category: Music
This noncredit course is designed for older adults who want to sing in a choral ensemble. Students will work on songs in a class setting in preparation for concert performances. Emotional communication through song will be explored as students learn the ways that tone, pitch, and dynamics shape vocal expression. Students will benefit from breathing and stretching exercises to develop vocal flexibility and lung capacity. Students will also increase mental acuity through the memorization of songs and practicing sight reading skills. This class will develop self-confidence, socialization skills, and provide an outlet for creative expression.
Category: Music
This noncredit course is designed for older adults who want to play guitar. Students will work on guitar techniques in a class setting. Students will benefit from stretching exercises to develop hand and finger flexibility. Students will also increase mental acuity through practice of chords, finger-picking, and single line melodies. This class will develop self-confidence, socialization skills, and provide an outlet for creative expression.
Category: Health Education
This noncredit course is designed for older adults interested in learning more about healthy aging. This course provides students with practical skills and information about healthy aging and cover topics such as diet, nutrition, disease prevention, fall prevention, and application of principles to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Category: Computer Business Applications
This noncredit course provides students an introduction to computer hardware and software fundamentals of a computer system. In addition, terminology, file management and basic Windows features will be taught. Prior computer experience is not required.
Category: Computer Business Applications
This noncredit course prepares students for academic and workplace success by providing basic skills in Microsoft Office. Topics include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Students will learn how to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations as well as how to create and use email best practices. This course is designed for students who have little or no prior experience with Microsoft Office and Email.
Category: Music
This noncredit course is designed to develop the skills of older adults who want to learn to play piano or improve their piano skills. Students will practice technical skills and explore piano literature in a variety of styles. Students will also increase mental acuity through the memorization of song and practicing sight reading skills. This class will develop self-confidence, socialization skills, and provide an outlet for creative expression.
Category: Music
This noncredit course is designed for older adults who want to sing. Students will work on songs in a class setting in preparation for performance for their peers. Emotional communication through song will be explored as students learn the ways that tone, pitch, and dynamics shape vocal expression. Students will benefit from breathing and stretching exercises to develop vocal flexibility and lung capacity. Students will also increase mental acuity through the memorization of song and practicing sight reading skills. This class will develop self-confidence, socialization skills, and provide an outlet for creative expression.
Category: Music
This noncredit course is designed to further the skills of experienced musicians who play woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students will explore new band literature as well as techniques and methods for improving and maintaining performance success oriented toward older adults.
Click here and Fill Out Our GWC Interest Form
Phone: (714) 684-1809
Email: noncredit@gwc.cccd.edu
Location: Communications Building, Room 106
Campus: Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
