Neuroplasticity means the brain never stops developing, and it is shaped by experiences throughout your entire life, according to the International Brain Research Organization. That’s great news for people who love learning. If you’re looking to take up a new hobby, brush up on old skills or dig deeper into a passion, check out one of these OKC metro workshops this summer.
Oklahoma City Ballet Adult and Community Classes
Five Moons Studio
6917 N. Classen Blvd.
okcballet.org
405-843-9898
$10-$80
Put on your boogie shoes for summer adult classes with Oklahoma City Ballet. Its three- and four-week programs are designed for dancers of all skill levels, from intro to ballet for those who have never pliéd and fundamentals to build your base knowledge to advanced ballet for those looking to enhance their personal artistry and improve technical skills. Pointe shoes aren’t for everyone (and aren’t required for most ballet classes), but dancers can jump into Cardio Dance Party, which fuses Latin, jazz and hip-hop for a cardio workout. Make Bob Fosse proud by taking both All That Jazz classes; break out those pumps for some spicy dance moves at Diva Heels (18+); or dust off your percussive footwear to honor one of America’s original dances: tap. Enrollment for the summer adult classes is ongoing, so check OKC Ballet’s website for dates. OKC Ballet also offers Golden Swans and Dance for Parkinson’s, free programs for older adults provided at Susan E. Brackett Dance Center.
Myriad Botanical Gardens’ Weekly Workshops on Saturdays
301 W. Reno Ave.
myriadgardens.org
405-445-7080
$20-$85
Myriad Botanical Gardens is an oasis in the middle of downtown OKC and within walking distance to many downtown attractions. It offers classes and workshops all year long. This summer’s Saturday paid workshops include plein air watercolor painting, mushroom cultivation and flower arranging. Don’t miss the Carnivorous Plant Terrarium workshop on June 7 that guides attendees through the world of almost 700 carnivorous plant species. The class explores where these plants are from, how they grow and how to raise your very own carnivorous baby at home. Registration for workshops and classes typically close one week prior to the class date, and Gardens Members receive a discount on class fees. While you’re there, check out the free 15-acre outdoor area that offers visitors shade gardens, shrub collections and a children’s garden with a vintage carousel. The recently renovated Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory has a two-floor waterfall with tropical plants; Oculus Gallery, where visitors can rest and reflect; and extended third-level platforms on the Skywalk, where visitors can have a sensory experience of the gardens with sounds, tastes and smells.
Soltani Music School
329 E. Sixth St., Edmond
soltanimusic.opus1.io
405-609-9859
$120
If you’re looking to finally break out that guitar you picked up from that buddy moving out of town or wanting to dust off your cello that remembers the early aughts, check out classes at Soltani Music School in Edmond. During the summer, the school offers four-week adult group classes with a relaxed atmosphere for musicians of all skill levels to learn, jam and vibe without the pressure of an end-of-class recital. Group adult classes offered this summer will be beginner guitar, beginner cello, beginner violin and intermediate strings. Owners Ali and Andrea Soltani have been teaching viola, violin and cello for 20 years. The school has recently expanded its lesson and class offerings to include fiddle, piano and guitar with chamber music classes on the horizon. Never fear if a group setting is too intimidating; private lessons are also available for beginners.
Cheyenne Sky Jewelry Making Workshops
813 N. Hudson Ave.
cheyenneskystudio.square.site
$125-$275
Creating a beautiful object from gathered materials might be one of the most rewarding projects one can take on. Cheyenne Sky Studio offers one-day workshops and classes to let you live your smithy dreams. Start with the Gem Jewelry Workshop for a dive into metalsmithing tools and techniques for creating silver jewelry. Attendees will learn ring sizing, forming and all about bezels and walk away with a ring, pendant or wrist cuff in just three hours. Get even more from an intro class that shows you how to design and make your own pieces. Students learn stone setting, texturizing metal and soldering while making a ring or pendant. This six-hour class is meant for beginners or anyone needing a refresher on the basics of metalsmithing. Cheyenne Sky also offers lapidary classes to teach the cutting and polishing of stones. The class allows students three hours for stone shaping and then another three hours for creating a ring, pendant or wrist cuff with their stone. Cheyenne Sky incorporates indigenous values of respect and reciprocity in metalsmithing and jewelry making while aiming to provide a community space to learn creative skills.
Unlocking Your Creative Voice: A Journey Through Poetry With Mary Gray
2-4 p.m. June 7
Literati Press
3022 Paseo
literatipressok.com
405-882-7032
$15
Literati Press, located in the Paseo Arts District, is home to the Literati Press Creative Writing Center, built to offer a community to Oklahoma City storytellers and the LP Writers Co-Op that brings in guest writers with expertise in varied backgrounds to host tailored workshops. The co-op has held classes for beginning writers, budding stand-up comics and monologue crafting. In June, LP Writers Co-Op welcomes poet Mary B. Gray for her workshop Unlocking Your Creative Voice: A Journey Through Poetry. Attendees will explore their poetic voices through exercises and discussion. Gray is an Oklahoma poet with a master of fine arts degree in Creative Writing from Oklahoma City University. Her debut poetry collection, Who Do You Think You Are?, received the 2023 Oklahoma Book Award in Poetry.
Belle’s Kitchen Bakery & Café cooking classes
7509 N. May Ave.
belleskitchenokc.com
580-430-5484
$15-$40
Belle’s Kitchen might be best known for its square brioche doughnuts, and you can learn how to make them. The bakery offers cooking and baking classes for chefs of all proficiencies. On May 24, work on your plaiting skills at its Adult Danish Class that explores braiding and folding techniques for Danish pastries and fillings for the tasty treats. If a two-course meal is more your speed, sign up for the Dinner & Dessert class on May 30 to create Greek meatball bowls with couscous and homemade tzatziki with personal baklavas for dessert. Belle’s Kitchen also offers private classes for groups of six or more.
Loom Love Beaded Bracelet Making
1-4 p.m. June 8
Chirps & Cheers
1112 N. Walker Ave., Suite 101
chirpsandcheers.com
405-600-9975
$40
The intricate and delicate patterns of loom-beaded jewelry reflect the meditative mindset of the creator with each pattern holding meaning to the artist. Suzie Loveless from Handmade with Love(less) leads the Pride Loom Bracelet Workshop on June 8 at Chirps & Cheers, where students will design and create a loom-beaded bracelet using beads of various shapes and sizes. A portion of every ticket for this class will be donated to OK Pride Alliance. BYOL (loom), or if you’re loomless, they will be available to purchase during the class. Chirps & Cheers specializes in stationery, pens, planners, greeting cards and custom wedding invitations. Other classes available this summer include paper quilling, ceramic painting and junk journaling. We are personally very intrigued by its monthly pen subscription.
This article appears in Summer Guide 2025.