This is going to be the year when you finally learn how to cook. Or how to perfectly execute that troublesome aria. Or take up rowing. Or teach your pooch how to sit up and roll over.

We all have a million things on our lifetime "to do" list, but too often we put them off because it's never the right time to embark on a new educational journey. News flash: there is no right time. And paradoxically, the right time is now.

There are countless educational opportunities in Rochester. Below you'll find a directory with basic descriptions; hopefully one will offer what you're looking for and you can get started on your new path.

NOTE: The list features mostly classes for adults. This is by no means a comprehensive guide to local classes; for more check out the ever-expanding list at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Colleges/Universities

Colleges and universities offer a wealth of educational opportunities, some of which are limited exclusively to enrolled students, some of which are open to the public. Check each school's website for details.

Bryant & StrattonCollege (150 Bellwood Dr | 1225 Jefferson Rd, bryantstratton.com)

ColgateRochesterCrozerDivinitySchool(1100 S Goodman St, 271-1320, crcds.edu)

EmpireState College (1475 N Winton Rd, 224-3200, esc.edu)

MonroeCommunity College (1000 E Henrietta Rd, 292-2000, monroecc.edu)

NazarethCollege (4245 East Ave, 389-2525, naz.edu)

RobertsWesleyanCollege(2301 Westside Dr, 800-777-4792, roberts.edu)

Rochester Institute of Technology (1 Lomb Memorial Dr, 475-2411, rit.edu)

St. John Fisher (3690 East Ave, 385-8000, sjfc.edu)

SUNY Brockport (350 New Campus Dr, Brockport, 395-2211, brockport.edu)

SUNY Geneseo (1 College Circle, Geneseo, 245-5211, geneseo.edu)

University of Rochester(275-2121, rochester.edu)

Arts & Crafts

The Animation Workshop at Animatis Studio Basic and intermediate animation, independent study, studio production and specialty workshops. (34 Winthrop St, 232-1740, animatusstudio.com)

Art & Soul Studio Classes for children and adults in beading, jewelry making, knitting, collage, and more. (135 Packetts Landing, Fairport, 223-4560)

Bisque and Brush Paint a piece of pottery to be glazed and fired. (713 Park Ave, 461-0550, park-avenue.org/pottery)

Color Me Mine Ceramic painting technique class. (3349 Monroe Ave, 383-8420, pittsford.colormemine.com)

GeneseeCenter for Arts and Education Classes and workshops in pottery, printing and book arts, and photography. (713 Monroe Ave, 244-1730, geneseearts.org)

Hyatt's All Things Creative Classes include airbrush basics, calligraphy, acrylic mediums, mat cutting, introductory watercolor, and more. (937 Jefferson Rd, 292-6500, hyatts.com)

JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts "Creative University" offers classes in sewing, quilting, home décor, cake decorating, knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, jewelry-making, more. (915 Holt Rd, Webster, 872-0300 | 3333 W. Henrietta Rd, 292-1160 | 3042 W. Ridge Rd, 227-2040)

MemorialArtGallery Creative Workshop Classes and workshops in drawing, jewelry-making, pottery, art history, weaving, sculpture, much more. (500 University Ave, 276-8959, mag.rochester.edu)

MendonVillage Quilt Shop Quilting classes for all skill levels. (9 N Main St, Honeoye Falls, mendonvillagequiltshop.com)

Michael's Variety of classes in cake decorating, bead making, more. (40 Square Drive, Eastview Square, 425-2140 | 3349 Monroe Ave, Pittsford, 381-1670 | 300 Hylan Dr, Jay Scutti Plaza, 424-3340 | 500 Greece Ridge Center Rd, 368-0820 | michaels.com)

Mill Art & Center Gallery Painting classes, jewelry-making, drawing, mixed-media, more. (61 N Main St, Honeoye Falls, 624-7740, millartcenter.com)

More Fire Glass Studio Classes in bead making, mosaics, kiln forming, fusing techniques and more. (80 Rockwood Pl, 242-0450, morefireglass.com)

Patricia's Fabric House Variety of quilting classes offered. (333 W Commercial St, East Rochester, 248-2362)

RochesterArtSupplyCascadeArtCenter Classes in book binding, pastels, impressionism, water-based media, pencil drawing, painting, calligraphy, and more. (150 W Main St, 546-3450)

Rochester Folk Art Guild Woodturning lessons, apprenticeships, pottery residencies available. (1445 Upper Hill Rd, Middlesex, rfag.org)

TurkHillCraftSchoolPottery, wheel throwing, sculpture classes and workshops. (1000 Turk Hill Rd #195, Fairport, 223-1930, turkhillcraftschool.com)

Visual Studies Workshop Courses in photography, digital imaging, film, more. (31 Prince St, 442-8676, vsw.org)

Weavers Guild of Rochester Classes in weaving, bead-making, paper-making, fabric-dyeing, knitting, more. (254 N Goodman St, Village Gate, 461-1770, weaversguildofrochester.org)

Woodcraft of RochesterClasses taught on pine box making, harvesting and turning green wood, cabinetry construction, and more. (1100 Jefferson Rd, 292-9690, woodcraft.com)

Woods Unlimited Craftsmen Carving classes. (18 Scenic Circle, 594-WOOD, woodsunltd.com)

Cooking

New York Wine and CulinaryCenterTechnique-based, multi-class workshops; single-session "signature" classes; tasting workshops. (800 S Main St, Canandaigua, 394-7070, nywcc.com)

Seasonal Kitchen Home-cooking and hospitality classes by Dick and Ginger Howell. (610 W Bloomfield Rd, Pittsford, 624-3242)

TopsCookingSchoolDemonstration-based and hands-on classes, plus special classes for kids and healthy eating. (3507 Mt. Read Blvd, Greece, 663-5449, topsmarkets.com)

Wegmans Hands-on classes focused on specific dishes or ingredients, plus kids' classes. (3195 Monroe Ave, Pittsford, 249-0278, wegmans.com)

Dance

Arthur Murray Instruction in swing, salsa, waltz, cha cha, rumba, fox trot, hustle, mambo, samba, tango, merengue. (1164 E Ridge Rd, Irondequoit, 266-4540 | 1225 Jefferson Rd, Henrietta, 424-4310 | cutarug.com)

Barn Shakers Clogging classes held weekly. (Gates Presbyterian Church, 1049 Wegman Rd, 426-1186, barnshakers.clogdancing.com)

Bush Mango Drum & Dance West African drum and dance classes. (34 Elton St, 235-3960, bushmango.com)

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Weekly Irish dance workshops. (McGinnity's, 534 W Ridge Rd, 342-2756, irishrochester.org)

Country Dancers of Rochester Dances every week, with lessons preceding. (1124 Culver Rd, rochestercontra.com)

Dance Biz Tap, jazz, ballet, ballroom, hip-hop, Irish step, wedding prep, country line, more. (1742 Long Pond Rd, 254-0300)

Dance Encounters Co-Op Classes, private lessons, workshops, and group instruction in various ballroom, hip-hop, swing, and nightclub styles. (1115 E Main St, 473-8550, dancencounters.com)

Garth Fagan Dance Classes for children, teens, and adults. (garthfagandance.org)

Goddess Hour Dance & Fitness Studio Classes in belly dance, hip-hop, cardio strip/exotic dancing, and yoga. (1470 Monroe Ave, 224-0277, goddesshour.com)

Inikori Dance Studio and Fitness Private and group lessons in salsa, cha cha, mambo, bachata, Afro-Latin jazz. (1060 University Ave, 271-6840, rocsalsa.com)

Park Avenue Dance Co. Modern dance learned through  choreography and performance. (15 Vick Park B, 461-2766, parkavenuedancecompany.org)

Rikud Rochester Israeli folk dancing; beginners welcome. (JCC, 1200 Edgewood Ave, 442-1670, home.rochester.rr.com/rikudrochester)

Rochester Area Federation of Western Square and Round Dance Club Various locations for all levels of lessons. (squaredancingrochester.org)

Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network Monthly events held with lessons preceding. (58 E Main St, Webster, 727-4119 rochesterzydeco.com)

Rochester Scottish Country Dance Group Workshops held every week. (South Presbyterian Church, 4 E Henrietta Rd, rochscottishdancers.org)

Rochester Swing Dance Network Wedding dance instruction, private lessons, group swing, and more. (Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church, 1200 S Winton Rd, 244-2815, rochesterswingdance.com)

Snowbelt Morris Ritual dance; beginners welcome at weekly practices that lead to performances. (Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Ave, snowbeltmorris.org)

Spins Dance Studio Classes in tap, ballet, jazz, Broadway theatre dance, hip-hop, and more. (2503 Browncroft Blvd, 248-9330, spinsdancestudio.com)

Tango Café Dance Studio Tango, swing, salsa, ballroom, belly dance, more. (389 Gregory St, 271-4930, tangocafedance.com)

General Interest

GeneseeCountryVillage Adult and youth classes covering arts and music, gardening, nature, textile arts, and more. (1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford, 538-6822, gcv.org)

Greece Community Education Huge variety of classes, from dog training to karate to tatting. (865-1010, Greece.k12.ny.us/commed)

Jewish Community Center of Rochester Classes in Yiddish, painting, theater, folk dancing, more. (1200 Edgewood Ave, 461-2000, jccrochester.org)

PenfieldParks and Recreation Programs Classes ranging from real estate sales to tai chi to wine tasting. (340-8655, penfield.org)

Rochester Info Courses Diverse set of classes, from personal fulfillment (speed reading, overcoming anxiety) to web design to financial planning, taught either in-person or online. (256-1960, ed2go.com/infocourses)

RochesterMuseum & ScienceCenter Variety of adult education opportunities ranging from arts and crafts to more scientific pursuits. (657 East Ave, 697-1942, rmsc.org)

Rush-Henrietta Continuing Education Classes range from fitness to home and garden to computer to sports. (359-7805, rhnet.org)

YMCA of Greater RochesterClasses in sports and fitness, crafts, performing arts, more. (546-5500, rochesterymca.org)

Health & Wellness

Absolute Yoga and WellnessCenter Multi-level yoga instruction offered in private, group, and therapy session. (800 Ayrault Rd, Perinton | 713 Monroe Ave, 223-4290, yogawellness.com)

Atman Yoga Studio Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga. (34 Elton St, 305-0406, atmanyogastudio.com)

Breathe Yoga & Juice Bar Vinyasa and hatha yoga; pilates. (19 S Main St, Pittsford, 248-9070, breathe-yoga.com)

Downtown Fitness Club Group fitness classes, yoga, pilates. (50 Chestnut St, 756-4090, downtownfitnessclub.com)

GymnasticsTrainingCenterOffers adult and child gymnastic classes. (2051 Fairport Nine Mile Rd, Penfield, 388-8686, gtc-rochester.com)

IyengarYogaSchool of RochesterSpecializes in Iyengar yoga. (80 Rockwood Pl, 442-4080, iysr.com)

Kinections Teaches dance/movement therapy. (718 University Ave, 473-5050, kinections.com)

Molly's Yoga Corner Hatha yoga, tai chi, qi gong, reflexology, and more. (220 Turk Hill Pk, Faiport, 223-8270, mollysyoga.com)

Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage Full-time and part-time instruction in licensed massage therapy. (302 N Goodman St, 241-0070, massage-school.com)

Open Sky Yoga Multi-level hatha/iyengar yoga taught in groups or in private. (5 Arnold Pk, 244-0782, openskyyoga.com)

Penfield Fitness & Racquet Club Group exercise classes, swimming lessons, pilates. (667 Panorama Tr, 586-7777, penfieldfitness.com)

Physikos Movement Body and movement classes. (302 N Goodman St E-201, 271-8293, physikosmovement.com)

The Purple Door Offers a variety of healing-based and spirituality-based classes and workshops. (1707 Crittenden Rd, 427-8110, purpledoorsoulsource.com)

Retreat House Yoga and alternative health classes and seminars. (693 East Ave, 271-7690, retreathousemassage.com)

WebsterAquaticCenter Classes for kids and adults, including water exercise programs. (875 Ridge Rd, Webster, 670-1087, webstercommunitypartnership.com)

Language/Literature

Language Intelligence Training in many languages. (16 N Goodman St, 244-5578, languageintelligence.com)

Writers & Books Wide variety of classes and workshops for writers and editors.(740 University Ave, 473-2590 x108, wab.org)

Music

Atlas Music Private lessons available on all instruments, all styles of music. (1764 Empire Blvd, 671-2020 atlasmusic.net)

Bella Voce Studio for the Performing Arts Voice and piano lessons for all ages. (66 N Main St, 377-1720, bellavocestudios.com)

EastmanCommunityMusicSchoolOffers private, "buddy," group, and ensemble classes in most instruments, including voice. (26 Gibbs St, 274-1400, esm.rochester.edu/community)

Echo-Tone Music Lessons in guitar, drums and bass. (571 South Ave, 454-2160)

HochsteinSchool of Music Music and dance instruction, from private lessons to jazz studies, conducting, and composition. (50 N Plymouth Ave, 454-4596, hochstein.org)

House of Guitars Music instruction, various instruments. (645 Titus Ave, 544-3500)

HungnessSchool of Music Instruction in voice, guitar, piano, drums, bass, sax, harmonica, mandolin, more. (161 Norris Dr, 506-9437, hungness.com/school.htm)

JammersSchool of Music Instrument instruction for individuals and small groups, plus classes in theory, composition, recording and more. (2316 Lyell Ave, Gates, 247-9180, jammersmusic.com)

The KanackSchoolVariety of lessons available to kids. Adults can take traditional private classes in violin, cello, piano, voice, guitar, flute. (2077 S Clinton Ave, 244-6910 kanackschoolofmusic.com)

Miss Kate's Piano Studio Piano lessons and private instruction in music composition. (Brighton, off Elmwood near Twelve Corners, 244-5556, misskatespianostudio.com)

Music Lovers Instruction on various instruments. (2229 Monroe Ave, 242-0980, mlovers.com)

The Music Store, Inc Weekly music lessons in bass, guitar, drums, piano, violin, viola, cello. (18 E Main St, Webster, 265-1210, themusicstoreinc.com)

The New Conservatory Music & Languages Offers singer-songwriter classes, private composition, more. Teaches music as a language in addition to courses in five foreign languages. (3300 Monroe Ave, 264-1120, thenewconservatory.com)

Northfield Music Studios Classes in guitar, bass, piano, and drums. (50 State St, Pittsford, 586-4662, northfieldmusicstudios.com)

Stutzman's GuitarCenter Lessons in acoustic, electric, and bass guitar, mandolin, fiddle, violin, and harmonica. (4405 Ridge Rd West, 352-3225, stutzmansguitarcenter.com)

*If your business offers educational opportunities and you would like to be included in the directory, contact Features Editor Eric Rezsnyak at eric@rochester-citynews.com.