Personal EnrichmentContinuing Education

The Tall City Blues Fest is presented by Downtown Midland Management District and draws thousands of people downtown every summer to soak up the sounds of authentic American music.

In addition to a line-up of 22 performers this year, the full festival experience includes educational workshops that are taught Saturday, July 13, by Fest performers. Proceeds from these workshops go to Midland College for KIDS’ College scholarships.

BLUES GUITAR & IMPROV

Instructor: Ben Rice
Start Time: 10:00 - 10:55 AM
Ages: Teenager & Adults
Location: Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree Hotel)

Ever wanted to sound like your favorite blues guitarists? Ever wonder how they come up with those gut-wrenching licks? Then this is the class for you! Blues Artist Ben Rice, will take you through the steps of how to not only have that sultry sound of blues guitar that we all know so well, but will also coach you on how to create that “money lick” that we all strive to come up with when improvising. This workshop has limited availability, so sign up today!

What to Bring: A guitar (if available) and any note taking device you choose.

Register for Blues Guitar & Improv

 

GLASS, BRASS, STONE & BONE: FINDING YOUR SLIDE TONE

Instructor: Cort Duggins (Laurie Jane & the 45s)
Start Time: 11:00 - 11:55 AM
Ages: All Ages
Location: Room 1117 (inside the Doubletree Hotel)

Prepare to enter the fascinating world of guitar slides! From the vaunted vintage Coricidin bottle, all the way to more primitive esoteric choices like bone and wood. Attendees will be able to participate hands on with assorted slides paired with the artist's vintage instruments. Instruments like an antique parlor guitar, dobro, lap steel, and an aged Les Paul. This workshop will cover advanced tone nuances as well as basic slide foundation so players of any level will take something away from the class. To fully immerse in the magic and history of slide playing, event goers will construct a few wine bottleneck slides in an archaic fashion. Bottleneck slides crafted by the artist himself will be provided to all class participants.

What to Bring: Your favorite guitar and a desire to learn.

Register for "Glass, Brass, Stone & Bone: Finding Your Slide Tone

Master Guitar Workshop

Instructor: Gabe Stillman (The Gabe Stillman Band)
Start Time: 12:00 - 12:55 PM
Ages: All Ages
Location: Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree Hotel)

In this Master Workshop, the artist will cover advanced aspects of lead and rhythm guitar playing in the blues style. Come and absorb all the intense knowledge that this workshop can offer. Attendees should have knowledge of common guitar techniques used in the blues (bending, vibrato, fingerpicking), and have some background in music theory. Most importantly harmonic analysis (the “numbers” system). This class will fill to capacity VERY quickly, so don’t delay, sign up today!

What to Bring: Attendees should bring their instruments and any other accessories they would like to have (slides, capos, individual amp, etc.).

Register for Master Guitar Workshop

VOCAL CARE FOR THE SINGER IN YOU

Instructor: Polly O'Keary (Polly O'Keary and the Rhythm Method)
Start Time: 1:00 - 1:55 PM
Ages: All Ages
Location: Room 1117 (inside the Doubletree Hotel)

We all love to sing! From the big stage to our own shower, singing has come out of our mouths at some point. However, how do we care for our voices and take them to the next level? Enter Polly O’Keary. This singer/songwriter has a scientific approach on how to properly care for one’s voice AND how to recover quickly and efficiently from a vocal injury. These helpful tips could help you develop your voice into the powerhouse that it can and should be! So, come one, come all, and learn about caring for our biggest asset, our voice!

What to Bring: Your voice and something to record the session with. (ex. Phone, digital recorder)

Register for Vocal Care for the Singer in You

 

MASTER SONGWRITING WORKSHOP

Instructor: Hunter St. Marie (Cari Hutson & Good Company)
Start Time: 2:00 - 2:55 PM
Ages: Teenagers & Adults
Location: Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree Hotel)

Writer’s Block is something we have all faced in our time with music and getting passed that can be tricky. Hunter St. Marie aims at helping you in finding ways to write that perfect song without getting “stuck.” Learn about form, hooks, how bridges bring the song together, and many other aspects of creating the blues world’s next hit.

What to Bring: Anything to take notes or record with, and an eagerness to learn.

Register for Master Songwriting Workshop

COMPOSING BLUES MUSIC FOR GUITAR AND VOCALS

Instructor: Trey Wanvig
Start Time: 3:00 – 3:55 PM
Ages: All Ages
Location: Room 1117 (inside the Doubletree Hotel)
Cost: $25

How does playing guitar translate to my vocal part in the song? What scales should I use to appropriately comp myself? These are great questions that will finally be answered by none other than Trey Wanvig.  As an experienced songwriter, this artist will be able to connect the dots and give tips on how to make your song come together through guitar and voice.

What to Bring: An acoustic or electric guitar (practice amp optional), and any sort of recording or note-taking device.

Register for Composing Blues Music for Guitar and Vocals

FINGERSTYLE GUITAR TECHNIQUE

Instructor: Erin Harpe
Start Time: 4:00 - 4:55 PM
Ages: Teenages & Adults
Location: Room 1113 (inside the Doubletree Hotel)

This workshop will demonstrate and explore the art of fingerstyle playing in the “Delta Blues” style. Erin Harpe has mastered this technique and is able to teach in such a way that anyone of any skill level can learn and enjoy this timeless method. You will learn the art of picking a melody and simultaneously playing a bass line with your thumb. This class is a once in a lifetime opportunity with limited availability so reserve your spot today!

What to Bring: Your favorite guitar and any sort of a recording or note taking device.

Register for Fingerstyle Guitar Technique

AI CHI

Located at COM Aquatics, Inc., 3300 N. “A” Street
Cost $150

This class meets in the Aquatic Wellness pool, which has a pool temperature of 91-93 degrees.  This water movement and relaxation program increases oxygen and caloric consumption by combining deep breathing and slow, broad movements.  Ai Chi is successfully used with individuals with pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, COPD, and with neurological and orthopedic diagnosis.  Rita Simmons, Instructor

View Course Dates & Register for Ai Chi

 

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION AQUATIC CLASS

Located at COM Aquatics, Inc., 3300 N. “A” Street
Cost $150

This class meets in the Aquatic Wellness pool where the temperature is maintained around 91-93 degrees. The exercises consist of range-of-motion and stretching, strengthening, and balance and coordination activities. A few of the benefits of the aquatic environment include ease of movement, relaxation of muscles, non-weight bearing, and increase in circulation. Participants are able to improve their joint flexibility and reduce their pain and stiffness while supported by the water’s buoyancy and resistance. The classes also provide a friendly, fun atmosphere in which participants can make new friends and try new activities in a safe environment. Tammy McAlister, Instructor

View Course Dates & Register for Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Class

 

DEEP WATER RUNNING

Located at COM Aquatics, Inc., 3300 N. “A” Street
Cost $150

This class will meet in the FMH Foundation Natatorium. One of the best cross-training workouts for runners, water running is neuromuscular specific so it replicates running without the pounding. This workout is for those who want to increase their training but not increase their chances for injury. Because of the physics of drag, it requires more muscular involvement, thus strengthening more muscles than dry land running does. Come Train HARD and Train SMART! Julia Barrett, Instructor.

View Course Dates & Register for Deep Water Running

 

HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT)/Total Body Fitness

Located at MC Main Campus, Physical Education (PE) Building, Multi-Purpose Room 116

Perfect for clients of any level, this 60 min experience sequences a combo of energizing cardio, strength and flexibility training for a full body workout that burns fat, exercises the heart and targets all areas of the body: from the arms and abs, to thighs, seat and back. There is a focus on form and consciousness to connect the core-to-breath to heighten mental focus to accelerating results; while creating a fun and dynamic workout. Exercises are coordinated with current high-energy music! Amanda Gamel, instructor.

View Course Dates & Register for HIIT

 

LET’S DANCE

Located at COM Aquatics, Inc., 3300 N. “A” Street
Cost $150

Various music and dance styles are incorporated into this easy-to-follow, low-impact exercise class. Partner not needed and dancing in a chair is allowed. Athletic shoes and water are needed. Class is located in the Doss Room. Mona Milam, Instructor.

View Course Dates & Register for Let's Dance

 

Pilates

Located at MC Main Campus, Physical Education (PE) Building, Multi-Purpose Room 116
Cost $120

Participation in a series of exercises designed to incorporate a mind/body relationship to strengthen the body’s core along with the entire body.

View Course Dates & Register for Pilates

 

SHALLOW WATER AEROBICS

Located at COM Aquatics, Inc., 3300 N. “A” Street
Cost $150

This class meets in the Mabee Pool. Shallow water is a great way to challenge your body. The pool floor is utilized to add as much power as needed by each participant to increase the intensity of a workout. There is some impact; however, this is significantly reduced due to the buoyancy of water and the benefit of canceling out the majority of a person’s body weight. Tammy McAlister, Instructor.

View Course Dates & Register for Shallow Water Aerobics

 

YOGA

Located at COM Aquatics, Inc., 3300 N. “A” Street
Cost $150

This class meets in our Doss Room and combines a combination of static and flowing yoga poses to help improve your strength, flexibility, balance and mental focus. Participants can also expect to experience stress relief and relaxation. Exercises/poses may be modified to accommodate most fitness levels. Please bring your own yoga mat if you have one. If you do not, you may borrow one of our exercise mats, however, we do not have any yoga mats available for use. Timothy Cliffe, Instructor.

View Course Dates & Register for Yoga

Opera 101

Located at MC Main Campus, Marie Hall Academic Building, Room 209
Cost $55

In this course, we will study the operas to be presented by The Metropolitan Opera in their Live in HD transmissions in October, November, and January. The operas are "The Pearl Fishers", Greenberg on "Aida", Greenberg on "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto", "Samson and Delilah", "La Fanciulla del West". The purpose of this course is to enhance the student’s opera experience through education about the composer, history at the time of the composition, the opera libretto (story), drama, and music-vocal and instrumental. Opera is storytelling on steroids. It is a story told through the unique union of singing, action, and music - which, together, evoke varying emotions. James Camp, Instructor. 

View Course Dates & Register for Opera 101

 

LEARN TO PLAY THE PIANO, OR VOICE LESSONS

Cost $22/30-minute sessions, short & long term lessons available

Would you like to learn the basic skills of learning and playing the piano or would you like to take voice lessons and learn to sing or sing better? Take individualized courses by Janice N. Archer. The instructor provides music or you can bring your own. Enjoy music from different genres such as spiritual, mariachi or rock and roll. All dates and times are to be set by Janice N. Archer. All ages allowed and classes are taught in English or Spanish.

Call Janice Archer, instructor, at (432) 631-3966 or the Continuing Education office, (432) 685-4518, to sign up.

INSTANT PIANO FOR HOPELESSLY BUSY PEOPLE ONLINE CLASS

Some music teachers may not want you to know this, but you do not need years of weekly lessons to learn piano. In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. How do we do it? While regular piano teachers teach note reading, piano professionals use chords. In addition, you can learn all the chords you’ll need to play any song in this one session. Any song. Any style. Any key. If you can find middle C and know the meaning of Every Good Boy Does Fine, you already know enough to enroll in this workshop. Fee includes an online book and online video instruction.

Topics include:

• How chords work in a song
• How to get more out of sheet music by reading less of it
• How to form the three main types of chords
• How to handle different keys and time signatures
• How to avoid “counting”
• How to simplify over 12,000 complex chords

HOW TO PLAY PIANO BY EAR ONLINE CLASS

Learn one of music’s deepest mysteries: how to play songs without relying on music. A very practical presentation of music theory that includes predicting chord progressions, learning from recordings, and transposing-all expressed in everyday language. This is an ideal follow-up to the “Instant Piano” class and is open to anyone who has a basic understanding of chords on any instrument. Expand your musical horizons, free yourself from sheet-music dependence, and be the life of the party! Prior experience with chords recommended. Fee includes an online book and online video instruction and follow-up online instruction.

Topics include:

• How to find the starting note
• How to determine when chords change
• How to predict the chord progression
• How chords help you find the correct melody
• How the melody helps you find the correct chords
• How to learn songs from recordings in all keys
• How to transpose
• The Universal Key Signature
• How to use the Circle of Fifths
• How to recognize the most common chord patterns

INSTANT GUITAR FOR HOPELESSLY BUSY PEOPLE ONLINE CLASS

Have you ever wanted to learn the guitar but simply find it difficult to find the time? In just a few hours, you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Bring your acoustic guitar. Class limited to 15 students. For ages 13+. For more information, go to justonceclasses.com.

Fee includes the online book and follow-up online video instruction.

Topics include:

• How chords work in a song
• How to form the three main types of chords
• How to tune your guitar
• Basic strumming patterns
• How to buy a good guitar (things to avoid)
• How to play along with simple tunes

Coral reef Conservation

Located at MC Main Campus, Abell-Hanger Science Faculty Building, Room 142
Cost $25

This course helps you appreciate the complexity of coral reef habitats and teaches how you can help conserve these vital systems. Everyone likes to scuba dive or snorkel in warm, clear water on a vibrant coral reef, yet many people know little about what they’re seeing or the importance of reef ecosystems. The Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course helps you appreciate the complexity of these habitats and teaches you how you can help conserve these vital systems.

Anyone who has an interest in the aquatic world can take this course. There are no prerequisites or age restrictions and no water sessions are required to earn this non-diving certification.

Through classroom discussions, you learn:

• How coral reefs function and the complex nature of life on a reef.
• Why coral reefs are so important.
• Why many coral reefs are in serious trouble.
• What you can do to prevent further decline.
• How Project AWARE unites divers and water enthusiasts to make a difference.

Sarah Anderson, Instructor

View Course Dates & Register for Coral Reef Conservation

 

DRIVER EDUCATION (ONLINE)

Midland College and Safety-USA are proud to offer three online Texas Education Agency-approved driving courses.

• The Safety-USA Teen Driver Education - $129.95 Course Fee
  Required for students ages 14-17 seeking their Texas driver license for the first time
  
  
• The Adult Driver Education - $65 Course Fee
  Required for first-time Texas driver license applicants ages 18-25
  
  
• The Defensive Driving - $25 Course Fee
  Approved for traffic ticket dismissal by all Texas courts and can also be used for a discount on automotive insurance.

For more information or to register, visit the Texas DPS website, click the “Courses” tab and then “Online Driver Education”. Safety-USA has offered comprehensive courses to over 100,000 people and has over 10 years of experience in driver training and driver safety courses. They have designed online course that remain the best in the industry. All courses are available online and are completed at one’s own pace. Texas-based customer service is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sign up with TX-DPS

 

Learn to Ride! - Motorcycle Training Center (MTC)

Motorcycle Training Center and Midland College presents "The Course for Motorcycle Riders". The owners, managers and rider coaches at the Motorcycle Training Center Inc. are dedicated to providing the highest quality motorcycle operator safety courses in the State of Texas. We provide the classes required to obtain your Texas Motorcycle License!

View Courses and Register with MTC

 

Open Water Scuba

The first half of this class will meet in Physical Education (PE) Building, Room 114; the second half will meet at COM Aquatics, Inc.
Cost $550

This course is designed to teach the fundamental skills needed for open water diving. By completing all requirements, students may become certified. Sarah Anderson, Instructor.

View Course Dates & Register for Open Water Scuba

 

Advanced Open Water ScubA (in conjunction with KINE 2144-670)

Class will meet at MC Main Campus, PE Building, Room 114 one night to review certifications, complete paperwork, issue books and review advanced dive information. Checkout dives in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.
Cost $550

To what depths do you want to take adventure? No matter what your goal, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course gives you the confidence, skills and experience for a whole new level of underwater exploration: all under the guidance of a PADI pro.

As you step beyond the Open Water Diver level, you will dive five times over two or more days. At your instructor’s discretion, you will have the opportunity to experience underwater navigation, night diving deep diving, Peak Performance Buoyancy, wreck diving and much more. Plus, the Advanced Open Water Diver course takes you one-step closer to master Scuba Diver – the ultimate recreational diving rating. You will then need to schedule with the instructor your open water checkout dives for your advanced certification.

Requirements to take class:

• Open water or Jr. Open water Scuba certified
• Able to complete 3 dives in a 24-hour period
• 15 years-of-age and up
• You will need your own gear or able to rent gear for the class. Gear rental from instructor for duration of checkout-dives is $50.
• Check out dives will be conducted in Santa Rosa, NM at the Blue Hole and Perch Lake. Student is required to make their own hotel reservations, travel arrangements and pay the park entrance fee of $20 (cash only) at the Blue Hole welcome center.

Sarah Anderson, Instructor

Cost includes:

• Advanced Open Water Textbook
• Certified card
• Check out dives with PADI Instructor

View Course Dates & Register for Advanced Open Water Scuba

 

Introduction to Photography

Located at MC Main Campus, Allison Fine Arts Building, Room 185
Cost $75

This 5-week course will be an overview of the many facets of photography and is designed to help lovers of photography get the most out of their camera. Each student will use their own digital camera, preferably a DSLR, to learn camera controls and functions, as well as the basics of light, shadow, composition, and framing. Designed for the beginner and enthusiast alike, this course is structured to enforce photography basics, as well as push each photographer in their own personal creativity and craft through lecture, discussion, in-class group exercises, and outside assignments. Mary Kathryn Wimberly, Instructor.

View Course Dates & Register for Introduction to Photography

 

Retirement Planning Today

Located at MC Main Campus, Marie Hall Academic Building, Room 101
Cost $49

In this course you’ll learn how to: manage investment risks, use new tax laws to your advantage, make informed decisions about your company retirement plan, and adjust your estate plan to function properly under the new laws. However, money is only one aspect of retirement planning. This course blends financial education with life planning to help you build wealth, align your money with your values, and achieve your retirement lifestyle goals. The instructor is William (Bill) Dendy, JD, MBA, CPA, CFP®, CLU, President of Elite Financial Management, Inc., and has 20 years of professional experience in investments and financial planning. This course includes a 225-page illustrated textbook. Couples may attend together for a single registration fee.

View Course Dates & Register for Retirement Planning Today

 

Voice-Overs … NOW is YOUR Time! (Online Class)

Cost $50

In what could be the one of most enlightening hours you’ve ever spent, this class will show you how YOU could actually begin using your speaking voice for commercials, films, videos and more! Most people go about it the wrong way. In this class, you will learn about a unique, outside-of-the-box way to cash in on one of the most lucrative full or part-time careers out there! You can handle this business on your own terms, on your own turf, in your own time, and with practically no overhead! And NOW is the best time to make this happen as new companies are looking for new voices like never before. This exciting and fun class could be the game changer you’ve been looking for! Participants will be provided with log-on information after registering.

View Course Dates & Register for Voice-Overs

 

ED2GO – Online courses

Cost: Most ed2go classes are $115

Sharpen your skills, or learn new ones with our instructor-facilitated online courses.
All courses run for six weeks (with a two-week grace period at the end). Courses are project-oriented and include lessons, quizzes, hands-on assignments, discussion areas, supplementary links, and more.

Courses Offered

• Test Prep
• Speed Spanish
• Achieving Success with Difficult People
• Grammar Refresher

Start Dates
A new section of every course in this catalog will begin on every third Wednesday of the month.

Get Started Now

1. Visit our Online Instruction Center:
   
   Online Instruction Center
   
   
2. Click the Courses link, once you choose the department and course title you are interested in, select the Enroll Now button. Follow the instructions to enroll. Here you will choose a username and password that will grant you access to the Classroom. After this is complete, please go to mcce.midland.edu and click on 'Browse Catalogs' under Community Programs.  Find your course under Personal Enrichment to add to Cart in order to register and pay.
   
   
3. When your course starts, return to our Online Instruction Center and click the Classroom link. To begin your studies, simply log in with the username and password you selected during enrollment.