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Brain Training with Ryan Glatt

Brain Health Through Exercise: A New Frontier in Wellness
This workshop introduces the vital connection between physical activity and brain health, highlighting the role of exercise in preventing cognitive decline. Participants will explore the neuroscience behind fitness and brain health, learn to assess brain health within their scope, and discover how to develop exercise programs that promote cognitive well-being. This session is necessary for anyone looking to integrate brain health into their fitness or personal wellness routine.

Memory Enhancement Strategies: Training for Your Mind
Dive into the world of memory improvement and cognitive enhancement through targeted strategies for memory and attention. This interactive workshop focuses on practical strategies and training techniques to bolster memory retention and recall. Participants will learn about the science of memory and engage in exercises proven to enhance cognitive function, making this an ideal session for individuals looking to sharpen their mental acuity.

Dementia Prevention: Lifestyle Choices That Make a Difference
Uncover the lifestyle factors that can significantly reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This workshop provides an in-depth look at the latest research on diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and social engagement as powerful tools for dementia prevention. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and a personal prevention plan to maintain cognitive health well into and throughout older age.

Dual-Tasking: Boosting Brain and Body Performance
Dual-tasking, or the ability to perform cognitive tasks while engaged in physical exercise, has emerged as a cutting-edge approach to enhance both cognitive and physical outcomes. This session explores the science behind dual-tasking, introduces practical exercises incorporating cognitive demands, and teaches participants how to apply these techniques to improve overall brain function and physical fitness. Ideal for those interested in pushing the boundaries of what traditional exercise can achieve.

Lifestyle Medicine for the Brain: Holistic Approaches to Cognitive Wellness
Explore the intersection of lifestyle medicine and brain health in this comprehensive workshop. Participants will learn about the critical role of nutrition, stress management, sleep, and physical activity in maintaining and improving brain health. Through evidence-based recommendations and practical tips, this workshop aims to empower individuals with the knowledge to make lifestyle choices that support long-term cognitive wellness.

 

Ryan Glatt is a personal trainer and brain health coach with over a decade of experience in the health & fitness industry. He currently works alongside clinicians and researchers to study the effects of cognitively-enhanced and comprehensive exercise plans at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute. He also assists with the delivery of memory training classes.

Ryan has pursued education from the Amen Clinics, The BrainFirst Training Institute, the Neuroscience Academy, the Academy for Brain Health & Performance and, the Masters of Applied Neuroscience program at King’s College of London. He is currently in a PhD program for Leadership: Health and Human Performance.

Gyrokinesis with Nora Heiber

Nora Heiber has been teaching GYROTONIC® methodology since 1988. As one of the first specialized GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Master Trainers under the tutelage of Gyrotonic creator, Juliu Horvath. Nora has provided training to many teachers currently teaching all over the world.

After spending 25 years teaching in San Francisco where she helped start San Francisco GYROTONIC® with fellow Master Trainer, Debra Rose, Nora opened her own GYROTONIC® studio in Penn Valley, CA on a 20-acre farm, where she has been offering courses, workshops, and personal retreats for the last 10 years in addition to teaching all over the world. 

Elemental Gong Meditation & Healing the Heart: A Gong Bath Immersive Journey

Elemental Gong Meditation: EARTH
Join us for our Elemental Gong Meditation, where we’ll be combining the healing powers of multiple planetary gongs alongside their elemental energy to guide you into a meditative state that allows you to bring forth traits that resonate with that particular element.

When we embody the aspects of the EARTH element, what can we receive?

Strength & Stability to create more harmony in our life
Patience & Nurture to grow and support new intentions
Integrity & Conviction to remain rooted in our core values and beliefs

For our EARTH series, you can expect a gong meditation that will help reconnect you with your essence. The purpose of which is to help strengthen your energetic and emotional support system, so that you may become clearer in your heart about what is your purpose in life and what steps you need to take in order to bring it closer to reality.

Elemental Gong Meditation: FIRE
Join us for our Elemental Gong Meditation, where we’ll be combining the healing powers of multiple planetary gongs alongside their elemental energy to guide you into a meditative state that allows you to bring forth traits that resonate with that particular element.

When we embody the aspects of the FIRE element, what can we receive?
Courage & Determination to go after what we desire
Passion & Creativity to spark a deeper connection with ourselves
Healing & Rebirth to release old stories and ignite new beginnings

For our FIRE series, you can expect a gong meditation that will ignite the flames of new energy within you. The intention is to help strengthen your energetic and emotional support system, so that you may become clearer in your heart about what is your purpose in life and what steps you need to take in order to bring it closer to reality.

Elemental Gong Meditation: WATER
When we embody the aspects of the WATER element, what can we receive?

Cleansing & Purification to heal any internal turmoil
Flexibility & Change to adapt to the circumstances of life
Clarity & Peace to center our spirit and body

For our WATER series, you can expect a gong meditation that will revitalize the life force within you. This purpose is to help strengthen your energetic and emotional support system, so that you may become clearer in your heart about what your purpose in life is and what steps you need to take in order to bring it closer to reality.

Healing the Heart: A Gong Bath Immersive Journey
Using purely the sounds of multiple planetary gongs, prepare to immerse yourself in rich tones and heavy vibrations that soothe the body into a relaxed state. Feel the unwanted weight of emotional strain being washed away, leaving you with a calmer state of being.

Gong immersions have a combination of intensity and serenity, where we fluctuate between the two to first bring out blocked or stagnant energy from the body. The gong’s vibration permeates through the body, affecting us on a cellular level to release any tensions within them. Once brought to the surface, various tones and frequencies break them apart, leaving you in a gentle state of harmony and ease.

Combining the elements of astrology and sound therapy, our gong immersion will consist of five Paiste planetary gongs, an introduction to each planet and the role they play in our lives. We’ll open the ceremony with a collective chant to activate our connection to the angelic realm. Once we’ve set our intentions, we’ll fall back into an hour long gong immersion before closing with an integration meditation.

 

Kyle Lam is a wellness practitioner dedicated to serving the emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of the community with sound bath meditation and holistic healing events all throughout Southern California. His background in music and expertise in working with a variety of musical instruments allows him to curate sound experiences that guide participants into a meditative state, enlightening their awareness and strengthening their connection with mind, body, and spirit. His goal is for the community to develop a more intimate connection to their hearts while inspiring new dedications towards the betterment of their well-being.

“Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.”

― Marianne Williamson

Elemental Gong Meditation & Healing the Heart: A Gong Bath Immersive Journey

Elemental Gong Meditation: EARTH
Join us for our Elemental Gong Meditation, where we’ll be combining the healing powers of multiple planetary gongs alongside their elemental energy to guide you into a meditative state that allows you to bring forth traits that resonate with that particular element.

When we embody the aspects of the EARTH element, what can we receive?

Strength & Stability to create more harmony in our life
Patience & Nurture to grow and support new intentions
Integrity & Conviction to remain rooted in our core values and beliefs

For our EARTH series, you can expect a gong meditation that will help reconnect you with your essence. The purpose of which is to help strengthen your energetic and emotional support system, so that you may become clearer in your heart about what is your purpose in life and what steps you need to take in order to bring it closer to reality.

Elemental Gong Meditation: FIRE
Join us for our Elemental Gong Meditation, where we’ll be combining the healing powers of multiple planetary gongs alongside their elemental energy to guide you into a meditative state that allows you to bring forth traits that resonate with that particular element.

When we embody the aspects of the FIRE element, what can we receive?
Courage & Determination to go after what we desire
Passion & Creativity to spark a deeper connection with ourselves
Healing & Rebirth to release old stories and ignite new beginnings

For our FIRE series, you can expect a gong meditation that will ignite the flames of new energy within you. The intention is to help strengthen your energetic and emotional support system, so that you may become clearer in your heart about what is your purpose in life and what steps you need to take in order to bring it closer to reality.

Elemental Gong Meditation: WATER
When we embody the aspects of the WATER element, what can we receive?

Cleansing & Purification to heal any internal turmoil
Flexibility & Change to adapt to the circumstances of life
Clarity & Peace to center our spirit and body

For our WATER series, you can expect a gong meditation that will revitalize the life force within you. This purpose is to help strengthen your energetic and emotional support system, so that you may become clearer in your heart about what your purpose in life is and what steps you need to take in order to bring it closer to reality.

Healing the Heart: A Gong Bath Immersive Journey
Using purely the sounds of multiple planetary gongs, prepare to immerse yourself in rich tones and heavy vibrations that soothe the body into a relaxed state. Feel the unwanted weight of emotional strain being washed away, leaving you with a calmer state of being.

Gong immersions have a combination of intensity and serenity, where we fluctuate between the two to first bring out blocked or stagnant energy from the body. The gong’s vibration permeates through the body, affecting us on a cellular level to release any tensions within them. Once brought to the surface, various tones and frequencies break them apart, leaving you in a gentle state of harmony and ease.

Combining the elements of astrology and sound therapy, our gong immersion will consist of five Paiste planetary gongs, an introduction to each planet and the role they play in our lives. We’ll open the ceremony with a collective chant to activate our connection to the angelic realm. Once we’ve set our intentions, we’ll fall back into an hour long gong immersion before closing with an integration meditation.

 

Kyle Lam is a wellness practitioner dedicated to serving the emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of the community with sound bath meditation and holistic healing events all throughout Southern California. His background in music and expertise in working with a variety of musical instruments allows him to curate sound experiences that guide participants into a meditative state, enlightening their awareness and strengthening their connection with mind, body, and spirit. His goal is for the community to develop a more intimate connection to their hearts while inspiring new dedications towards the betterment of their well-being.

“Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.”

― Marianne Williamson

Dance with Galit Friedlander

Galit Friedlander
Dance Educator | Choreographer | Creator of the DanceSpeak Podcast

With over 20 years of experience in the dance industry, Galit has built a career around inspiring dancers through both technique and performance. Her journey began in New York, where she trained in Jazz, Ballet, and Modern dance while falling in love with street dance (Hip-Hop, House, Waacking/Whacking, Vogue, Poppin…). Shortly after, she was accepted to LaGuardia High School, the ‘Fame’ school, where she studied Theatre. There, she developed a unique approach that blends stage presence and authenticity in dance.

Galit’s professional career began at 16 with an Adidas job, quickly gaining recognition for her versatility. She went on to work as Assistant Choreographer for PRINCE’s Welcome 2 America Tour and has since contributed to major projects, including Pharrell’s Happy video, national and international tours, and projects with artists such as MC Lyte and Pepsi.

Currently, Galit teaches and choreographs internationally, sharing her passion for dance with students of all levels. She is also the creator of the DanceSpeak podcast, where she interviews top dancers, choreographers, and industry leaders to offer insights and inspiration to the dance community.

Galit’s teaching philosophy focuses on creating transformative, empowering experiences. Each class offers a chance to develop both technical skills and emotional expression, leaving students inspired and connected.

Dance with Galit Friedlander

One year after graduating from the ‘FAME’ school (LaGuardia) as a theatre major, Galit Friedlander moved to Los Angeles to pursue a degree from the University of Southern California.
Shortly after graduating college, Galit found that her drive gained her the opportunity to work as an assistant choreographer for Prince in the Los Angeles leg of his Welcome 2 America Tour. She has worked on projects for Pharrell and MC Lyte. She has toured China and the U.S. with groundbreaking artists, choreographed for short film, works for the WNBA’S LA Sparks as a head choreographer, and has been the SparKids head choreographer since 2017.

Within her 18+ years of experience teaching dancers, Galit discovered that one of her greatest joys and life purpose is to keep expanding dancers’ knowledge through her work as a choreographer and teacher. She is also the host and creator of the DanceSpeak podcast since 2016 which shares unfiltered and authentic interviews from dancers all around the globe.

Meditation with Jacques-Pierre Cole

Zen Master Bon Jacques-Pierre Cole practices the Ngagpa tradition of Tibetan spiritual legacies which focuses on compassion and love. His deep curiosity about the world has led him down a life-long path of wonder and beauty. Jacques-Pierre has served in the U.S. military and has built non-profits to help those in need. After many years of spiritual exploration, Jacques-Pierre was ordained a Zen Buddhist Monk in 2012 and began teaching others how to heal with Mudra Meditation, how to face their fears, and how to find their authentic purpose. He shares his wisdom on his Sunday morning radio show, “Art of Living.”

“Live everyday not as if it were your last, but for what it can be, a journey into the unknown… There is nothing better than genuine human kindness. Be that person.” – Zen Master Bon Jacques-Pierre

 

Meditation with Jacques-Pierre Cole

Zen Master Bon Jacques-Pierre Cole practices the Ngagpa tradition of Tibetan spiritual legacies which focuses on compassion and love. His deep curiosity about the world has led him down a life-long path of wonder and beauty. Jacques-Pierre has served in the U.S. military and has built non-profits to help those in need. After many years of spiritual exploration, Jacques-Pierre was ordained a Zen Buddhist Monk in 2012 and began teaching others how to heal with Mudra Meditation, how to face their fears, and how to find their authentic purpose. He shares his wisdom on his Sunday morning radio show, “Art of Living.”

“Live everyday not as if it were your last, but for what it can be, a journey into the unknown… There is nothing better than genuine human kindness. Be that person.” – Zen Master Bon Jacques-Pierre

 

Pilates with Karen Sanzo

Pilates Fundamentals Level 1 (progressive), 45 min.

Pilates Intermediate Level 2, 45 min.

 

Pilates instructor, teacher trainer, and physical therapist Karen Sanzo is internationally recognized for her innovative approaches to the Pilates method. At Pilates Unlimited, her studio in Dallas, Texas, and in her physical therapy practice, Karen sees clients of all ages and fitness levels, utilizing Pilates as an adjunct to therapy and as the next level of self-care for her patients, which includes a Dallas Cowboy recovering from injuries, a corporate executive improving his golf swing, a young dancer perfecting her posture, and a new mother getting back into shape. D Beauty, a publication of D Magazine of Dallas, included Pilates Unlimited in their 2008 list of Best Places to Work Out. Her award-winning instructional DVD, Pilates for All Bodies: Getting Started is a two-DVD set that explains and demonstrates the basic exercises, then presents a thirty-minute mat class conducted by Karen. Awarded “Best Beginners DVD” by Pilates Style magazine in the January/February 2008 issue, it was touted in their review as “perfect for those just starting out, with a clear, in-depth tutorial on principles, moves, and beginner modifications.”

Gyrokinesis with Anjali Austin

Anjali Austin is a distinguished Specialized Master Trainer in GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methodology with over 35 years of experience in the system. Trained by Juliu Horvath and Hilary Cartwright, she taught in the New York City studios, and was among the first group of teachers certified as Master Trainers.

An interdisciplinary artist whose career spanned thirteen years performing with the critically acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem, she has performed ballets Billy the Kid, Swan Lake (Act II), Serenade, Flower Festival, Dougla, Concerto Barocco, and Frankie and Johnny, among others, and PBS television specials Fall River Legend, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Creole Giselle.

Ms. Austin currently serves as Professor and Chair of Florida State University’s School of Dance, where she introduced Gyrotonic to the program. As a result, the School is now equipped with each of the five pieces of specialized Gyrotonic equipment and courses are offered to dance majors. Ms. Austin holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College.

Strength Training with Gay Gasper

Gay Gasper began her fitness career on Fit Tour, completing nine tours teaching fitness workshops in the United States. Additionally, Gay has shared her expertise by teaching at various Fitness Conventions around the world. Gay is the choreographer of over 40 fitness videos, has worked at QVC and HSN.  She currently works full-time at a (CCRC) Continuing Care Resident Community as the Director of Fitness and teaches at numerous fitness facilities around Charlotte, NC. Gay continues to travel and teach, presenting fitness education for Interactive Fitness Trainers of America. 

Strength Training with Gay Gasper

Gay Gasper began her fitness career on Fit Tour, completing nine tours teaching fitness workshops in the United States. Additionally, Gay has shared her expertise by teaching at various Fitness Conventions around the world. Gay is the choreographer of over 40 fitness videos, has worked at QVC and HSN.  She currently works full-time at a (CCRC) Continuing Care Resident Community as the Director of Fitness and teaches at numerous fitness facilities around Charlotte, NC. Gay continues to travel and teach, presenting fitness education for Interactive Fitness Trainers of America. 

Dance with Anna Matuszewski

Join us for a dance class that’s not just about movement but also about self-discovery, confidence, and building lasting friendships. Step into our vibrant and welcoming space, where we celebrate dance in all its forms. Are you ready to make unforgettable memories on the dance floor? Come dance with us!

Join Our Inclusive Dance Class: Embrace Movement, Unleash Your Creativity!

Are you ready to groove, express yourself, and have a blast on the dance floor? Look no further! Our dance class is a safe haven for dancers of all ages and abilities, where the focus is on nurturing a supportive and encouraging learning environment.

What to Expect:
Diverse Styles: Explore the world of dance through a variety of styles, from hip hop to funk, allowing you to discover your own unique dance persona.

Foundational Techniques: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, we’ll build strong foundations that will take your skills to new heights.

Choreography and Movement: Unleash your creativity as we delve into the art of choreography and free movement. This class is all about discovering and expressing your true dance spirit.

Stretch and Flexibility: Enhance your dance abilities with a focus on stretching and flexibility. We believe that every body is capable of growth and progress.

Footwork and Turns: Learn intricate footwork and master those dazzling turns that will leave you spinning with joy.

Small Combinations: Delve into the excitement of combining dance steps to create beautiful and captivating sequences. Challenge yourself and grow as a dancer.

Why Choose Our Class:
All Ages and Abilities Welcome: No matter your age or dance experience, we welcome everyone with open arms. Our class is a melting pot of diverse talents, and we celebrate the uniqueness each dancer brings.

Learn Something New Each Class: Get ready for an adventure! In each session, we’ll introduce fresh and exciting material, ensuring that you’re continuously growing and expanding your dance repertoire.

Non-Competitive Environment: This class is about self-expression and personal growth, not competition. Embrace your journey as a dancer without the pressure to compare yourself to others.

Have Fun, Feel the Rhythm: Dance is an expression of joy, and that’s exactly what we aim to provide! Expect smiles, laughter, and a supportive community to dance alongside you.

No prior dance experience required—just an open heart and a passion for movement.

 

Meet Anna Matuszewski, a trailblazing force in the world of dance and choreography. For an impressive 14 years, Anna has graced the stage as the resident choreographer and lead dancer for the renowned Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Her artistic genius has shone brightly, shaping breathtaking performances for world tours, national and international TV appearances, music videos, and commercials.

For Anna, it’s not just about the movements, but the profound connection that dance fosters. Her choreography acts as a vessel for self-expression, self-acceptance, and a heightened awareness of the body and its limitless capabilities. Through the universal language of movement and music, she weaves together a tapestry of unity and empowerment.

In the realm of dance, Anna Matuszewski is a luminous guiding star—a beacon of creativity, love, and artistic expression that continues to ignite hearts around the globe.

“At the Ranch, worries fade like distant echoes and the universe reveals its secrets, guiding you towards a radiant inner glow.” -Anna

Music for Well-Being

Sound and music impact the human experience in powerful ways: a song that makes you cry, a rhythm that makes you dance, or a single drone that clears your active mind. This week, Monique Mead explores the art and science behind these powerful sonic experiences and shares techniques to leverage sound and music for your own well-being.

  • Candlelight Sound Healing
  • Two Concerts in Oaktree Pavilion
  • Food and Musical Experience at La Cocina que Canta’s Thursday’s Chef’s Table Dinner with Jocelyn Ramirez
  • Interactive music workshop: “Sonic Seduction: seducing the mind to stillness through sound.”

 

A passionate ambassador of classical music, violinist Monique Mead enjoys a rich career as a performer, educator, and innovator. Inspired and mentored by Leonard Bernstein, Monique has devoted her performing career to nurturing new audiences and curating extraordinary musical experiences. Her programs with major orchestras and festivals in the United States and Europe have drawn international acclaim for their popular appeal and innovative approach. Interweaving live music with education and audience engagement at the highest level, her programs have reached millions through television appearances, a six-year radio series with the Munich Radio Orchestra, and over 20 years of concerts with the Cologne Philharmonic, Munich Symphony, Düsseldorf Symphony, Berlin Radio Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and the Mainly Mozart Festival. Since 2012 Monique has served as Director of Music Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, where she trains musicians in community engagement, peak performance, and professionalism as she helps them forge new paths as professional musicians. Monique performs on violin made in 1860 by J.B. Vuillaume which was gifted to her at age 19. She enjoys hiking, yoga, homegrown cuisine, and performing with her talented teens, Isabel and Tino.

 

Touted as a “gifted guitarist” by the New York Times, 2-time Grammy-nominated artist Mak Grgić [GER-gich] is a star on the worldwide stage. From the ethnic music of his native Balkans to extreme avant-garde and microtonal music, his roles as soloist, collaborator, and Grammy-nominated recording artist are fueled by curiosity, imagination, and boundless energy. As a testament to his versatility and wide-ranging appeal, in 2018 Mak was invited by legendary singer-songwriter k.d. lang to perform as the opening act for the North American leg of her Ingénue Redux Tour. Recent engagements include performances and residencies at the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus in Vienna, the Konzerthuset in Stockholm, several venues in Portugal, Teatro Cervantes de Bejar in Castilla-Leon/Spain, the Sarajevo Music Academy, several venues in Slovenia, the Paris Guitar Foundation, Zurich University of the Arts, Taipei National Theater, Shanghai Grand Theater, and the Hong Kong International Guitar Festival. Mak’s latest recordings, “Balkanisms” for Naxos Music plus “MAKrotonal” and Grammy®- nominated “Mak|Bach” for MicroFest Records, explore a vast repertoire spanning ethnic music, microtonal, new music and early music on re-fretted instruments, such as a “zig-zag fretted Bach prototype guitar” that allows him to create a “well- tempered guitar” for “Mak|Bach.” Born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 1987, Mak studied guitar in Zagreb with the revered Ante Cagalj at the Elly Basic Music Academy.  He completed a bachelor’s degree with Alvaro Pierri at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and in the fall of 2017, he began the Artist Diploma program at USC, the first guitarist in the university’s history to be admitted to this elite program. Mak currently holds a full-time teaching position at University of South Carolina, and is a founder and CEO of Notey, a startup building a mobile music education game.

Solo Violin by Pei-Chun Tsai

Pei-Chun TsaiTaiwanese violinist Pei-Chun Tsai received her Doctorate in Musical Arts from City University of New York with the publication of her dissertation on the violin writing of Richard Strauss. She also holds Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in violin performance from The Juilliard School.

Founding director of the Campanile Music Festival at San Diego State University, Pei-Chun curates innovative residencies of visiting artists from across the country for her students. As a member of the San Diego Symphony since 2006 and violin lecturer at San Diego State University, Pei-Chun performs regularly with the SDSU chamber orchestra, and released an album of solo violin entitled Chaconnes in 2021 featuring the works by Tomaso Vitali, J.S. Bach, and fellow SDSU faculty composer Joseph Waters. Pei-Chun performs on a 2020 violin by Boston-based luthier Charline Dequincy.

Pei-Chun Tsai & Friends

Pei-Chun Tsai

Taiwanese violinist Pei-Chun Tsai received her Doctorate in Musical Arts from City University of New York with the publication of her dissertation on the violin writing of Richard Strauss. She also holds Bachelor and Masters Degrees in violin performance from The Juilliard School.

Founding director of the Campanile Music Festival at San Diego State University, Pei-Chun curates innovative residencies of visiting artists from across the country for her students. A member of the San Diego Symphony since 2006 and violin lecturer at San Diego State University, she performs regularly with the SDSU chamber orchestra.

She released an album of solo violin entitled Chaconne in 2021 featuring the works by Tomaso Vitali, J.S. Bach and Joseph Waters. Pei-Chun performs on 2020 violin by Boston-based luthier Charline Dequincy and 2022 bow by Abe Liebhaber in San Diego.

 

Hailed as “… a deity of elegance” by the New Brunswick Beacon, Dr. Tina Chong is an international award-winning pianist and teaching artist.  She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music at San Diego State University. Tina’s recital career has brought her to such venues as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and Sala Chopin in Mexico City.

She has been featured in La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest, the Portland International Summer Festival, and the WFMT Series of Chicago. Under the management of Jeunesses Musicales of Canada, Tina has gone on extensive concert tours throughout Canada. She is the prizewinner of several international competitions, including the Montreal International Musical Competition and the Jacques Klein Piano Competition in Brazil.

Tina is a passionate advocate of alternatively-sized keyboards and is responsible for the acquisition of two narrow piano keyboards at SDSU, the first of its kind in a university on the west coast. She is also an active clinician throughout North America, giving frequent guest lectures, masterclasses, and adjudications. Tina holds degrees from Indiana University and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

 

Violinist Max Zorin enjoys a multifaceted career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.  Acclaimed by Strad Magazine for his “extremely compelling” interpretations and praised by Strings Magazine as “simply magnificent,” he brings authenticity, color, and conscientiousness to his performances while maintaining a sense of play and joy.

As an advocate for new music both within and beyond the classical realm, Zorin has premiered numerous works and collaborated with genre-defying artists, from jazz legend Didier Lockwood to rock guitarist Rik Emmett. He has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia, and shared the stage with distinguished musicians such as Maxim Vengerov, Itamar Golan, Henry Demarquette, Philippe Muller, and the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet.

Zorin serves on the faculty at Penn State University and is the artistic director of Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves, a summer music festival that blends masterclasses, concerts, theater, and wine-tasting.

Born in Israel into a family of professional musicians, Zorin grew up in France and began studying the violin at the age of five with his father, an illustrious violinist from Odessa (Ukraine). He holds degrees from The Juilliard School, Yale University, and Stony Brook University.

Concertante with Violin and Cello

Taiwanese violinist Pei-Chun Tsai received her Doctorate in Musical Arts from City University of New York with the publication of her dissertation on the violin writing of Richard Strauss. She also holds Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in violin performance from The Juilliard School. Founding director of the Campanile Music Festival at San Diego State University, Pei-Chun curates’ innovative residencies of visiting artists from across the country for her students. As a member of the San Diego Symphony since 2006 and violin lecturer at San Diego State University, Pei-Chun performs regularly with the SDSU chamber orchestra, and released an album of solo violin entitled Chaconnes in 2021 featuring the works by Tomaso Vitali, J.S. Bach, and fellow SDSU faculty composer Joseph Waters. Pei-Chun performs on a 2020 violin by Boston-based luthier Charline Dequincy.

 

Abe LiebhaberAbe Liebhaber, from Santa Barbara, California, has performed frequently with the San Diego Symphony, the Santa Barbara Symphony, Camarada San Diego, as well as in chamber settings domestic and abroad. He holds a tenured position in the Arizona Opera and has performed for nine seasons with the Sarasota Opera in Florida. He received his degrees in music performance from University of California Los Angeles and California State University Sacramento. Abe is a trained violin bowmaker and restorer of fine bows, and enjoys teaching the craft at his workshop on Adams Avenue “Antiques Row” in San Diego.

Indigenous Wisdom Walk

Since ancient times, native Kumeyaay peoples have lived in and around the lands where Rancho La Puerta is located today. Local Kumeyaay Norma Meza grew up in the footsteps of her ancestors, learning from childhood how to interact with plants, animals and the unique spirit of the land. Join Norma and naturalist Mike Wilken for a fascinating walk to the Kumeyaay homesite, as she shares her deep knowledge of traditional native lifeways and the nature of our local region. The very special walk is interactive, questions are welcome.

This is an easy 1.5  mile walk with stops along the way to talk about traditional uses of native plants and ways of understanding the land. Sage or other herbs may be burned as part of a special blessing ritual. Norma speaks Kumeyaay and Spanish; Mike Wilken will interpret, translating to English for her along the way.

 

Norma Meza is from the traditional Kumeyaay lands of Ja’aa, also known as Alamo (Cottonwood) Creek in Baja California. She is a widely recognized cultural authority of the Mescuichs clan, having taught special workshops on Kumeyaay Ethnobotany, language and traditional culture.

A Path for Personalized Wellness

Lifestyle Approaches to Reduce Chronic Medical Conditions
The Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases. We’ll explore tips about not only nutrition but also about lifestyle approaches.  Discover how the Mediterranean lifestyle improves health and how you can include this into your daily habits.

Hot Topics in Wellness: Wellbeing, Joy and Weight Loss Drugs
How we take care of ourselves has a significant influence on our health. We’ll have a holistic discussion about the various dimensions of wellbeing, pros and cons of weight loss drugs as well as the often-overlooked elements of fun and joy. Learn how you can incorporate unique strategies for wellness into your everyday life.

What’s Spirituality Got to Do with It?
Did you know that people with a higher sense of spirituality live longer? Spirituality in wellness embraces a sense of purpose as well as a connection to self and others. This is important at all stages of life. Find out about the research behind the significance of spirituality in wellness and discover ways you can augment your own sense of spirituality.

Pillow Talk: A Sleep Conversation
You may know that sleep impacts wellness. Do you know why sleep is important? It’s not just the amount of sleep but it’s the quality of sleep too. What can you do to get better sleep? We’ll take a deep dive into sleep for everyone and also for specific groups like women. Come hear about strategies for improving sleep.

Nicola Finley, MD, is a clinician and an innovative educator in integrative medicine with over 20 years of experience working with clients of a luxury wellness resort environment, as well as underserved communities in Arizona. She is an international speaker known for her evidence-based, engaging seminars. Dr. Finley is a board-certified internal medicine physician, fellowship trained in integrative medicine, and an adjunct faculty member at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Currently, she runs a boutique consulting business which focuses on a holistic view of wellness – mind, body and spirit.

Breaking Up with Sugar

Breaking up with Sugar
Sugar is the most inflammatory food molecule we consume today. Refined sugars are a common additive that have been linked to premature aging, inflammatory molecules that fuel cancer cells, heart disease and obesity.  Join Linda as she discusses strategies and gives practical tools to break up with sugar once and for all!

Managing Stress with Nutrition
Did you know that your food choices might be feeding your stress? In this session Linda will explain what foods might be stressing you out, what foods can create more ‘calm’ in your life, and simple things you can do each day to feel a little less stressed.

 

Linda Illingworth, RDN, CSSD, is the Registered Dietitian at Lifewellness Institute, a medical practice specializing in wellness, where she provides clinical care and nutritional guidance for patients and corporate clients. An expert in functional nutrition, Linda is known for her practical advice to find the best nutritional path to achieve specific health goals.  As a certified specialist in Sports Nutrition, Linda also has specialized training in food sensitivities, supplementation, wellness, thyroid and cardiovascular nutrition.  Linda holds a B.S. in Nutrition from California State University Long Beach and completed her dietetic internship at St. Luke’s Hospital, Wisconsin. Linda is frequently consulted for her depth and breadth of nutritional knowledge, has developed nutrition curriculum for popular destination health spas, National University, consults for non-profit nutrition programs, and can be found in print and online media.

The Heart of Americana

Claudia Russell, a celebrated California troubadour, and her husband Bruce Kaplan, a master of electric guitar and mandolin, form an enchanting duo that brings a tapestry of Americana sounds to life. With Claudia’s angelic voice and Bruce’s intricate accompaniments, they create music that resonates with both the heart and soul.

Based in the Bay Area, Claudia and Bruce take their audiences on a musical odyssey through the diverse landscapes of American music. Their journey pays homage to the iconic sounds of Laurel Canyon, the historic folk of Greenwich Village, the soulful essence of blues divas, and the rustic charm of Bakersfield’s country scene. At the core of this journey is Claudia’s evocative voice, her skillful guitar playing, and their shared talent for storytelling through music.

Since their debut in 2000, this dynamic duo has captivated listeners in over 1000 performances across the United States, from intimate clubs to major festivals and everything in between. Their music, known for its genuine emotion and captivating melodies, has not only thrilled live audiences but has also been celebrated in esteemed circles. Claudia has twice been a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk competition, and their artistry has been recognized in American Songwriter, Sing Out, and even on NPR’s All Things Considered.

As they prepare to grace the stage at Rancho La Puerta, Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan promise an unforgettable musical experience that harmonizes the spirit of Americana with the charm of this Mexican paradise. Their performance will be a journey through song, inviting listeners to explore the richness of American music and the intimate stories that make their artistry so unique.

Join us for an evening of soul-stirring music and discover why Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan are not just performers but true musical storytellers.

Explore their captivating world of music on their Youtube Channel.

Hands-On Cooking Classes and For the Love of Baja Dinner with Marcelo Hisaki

Marcelo offers hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our culinary center on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 4pm. In addition, Chef Marcelo will collaborate with La Cocina Que Canta’s Executive Chef Reyna Venegas and her team to create a special feast (with wine pairing!) on Thursday at 4:45pm.

Hands On Cooking Classes and Chefs Dinner Sign Up

 

Tuesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Wednesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Thursday For the Love of Baja Farm-to-Table Dining Experience 4:45 PM
Celebrate the abundance of our organic farm and the connection to community with a Farm-to-Table dining experience – a perfect blend of health, tradition, flavor, and fun! Cost is $150 per person, tax and wine pairing included. The maximum number of guests is 30. Sign Up at the Appointments Desk or through the link above.

 

Born in Mexico City to Japanese parents, Chef Marcelo Hisaki grew up surrounded by a diversity of flavor, texture, color, and tradition that combined both Japanese and Mexican culinary heritage.

At an early age, his talent and discipline led him to earn a scholarship from Fondation Turquois Monaco to study French cuisine at the Lycée Hotelier de Monte Carlo and train in Michelin-starred restaurants Yoshi and Joël Robuchon, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

In 2013, Chef Marcelo and his wife Chef Reyna Venegas opened Restaurante Amores in Tecate, Baja California. Their culinary concept is influenced by Mexican, Japanese and French cultures, using local produce with respect, love, and creativity.

He recently represented Mexico in the Bocuse d’Or Finale 2023, a prestigious culinary contest in Lyon, France, receiving the social commitment award as a recognition to his team’s involvement in support of migrants’ food insecurity in Baja California. Read more here.

He currently works as a mentor and teacher for new generations of culinary professionals at Culinary Art School and collaborates in the development of BRECHA, the first Mexican culinary innovation and research center. @restauranteamores, @marcehisaki

Hands-On Cooking Classes and For the Love of Baja Dinner with Marcelo Hisaki

Marcelo offers hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our culinary center on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 4pm. In addition, Chef Marcelo will collaborate with La Cocina Que Canta’s Executive Chef Reyna Venegas and her team to create a special feast (with wine pairing!) on Thursday at 4:45pm.

Tuesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM Sign Up
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Wednesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM Sign Up
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Thursday For the Love of Baja Farm-to-Table Dining Experience 4:45 PM Sign Up
Celebrate the abundance of our organic farm and the connection to community with a Farm-to-Table dining experience – a perfect blend of health, tradition, flavor, and fun! Cost is $150 per person, tax and wine pairing included. The maximum number of guests is 30. Sign Up at the Appointments Desk or through the link above.

 

Born in Mexico City to Japanese parents, Chef Marcelo Hisaki grew up surrounded by a diversity of flavor, texture, color, and tradition that combined both Japanese and Mexican culinary heritage.

At an early age, his talent and discipline led him to earn a scholarship from Fondation Turquois Monaco to study French cuisine at the Lycée Hotelier de Monte Carlo and train in Michelin-starred restaurants Yoshi and Joël Robuchon, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

In 2013, Chef Marcelo and his wife Chef Reyna Venegas opened Restaurante Amores in Tecate, Baja California. Their culinary concept is influenced by Mexican, Japanese and French cultures, using local produce with respect, love, and creativity.

He recently represented Mexico in the Bocuse d’Or Finale 2023, a prestigious culinary contest in Lyon, France, receiving the social commitment award as a recognition to his team’s involvement in support of migrants’ food insecurity in Baja California. Read more here.

He currently works as a mentor and teacher for new generations of culinary professionals at Culinary Art School and collaborates in the development of BRECHA, the first Mexican culinary innovation and research center. @restauranteamores, @marcehisaki