Highlands Recreation District has a number of new enrichment classes and camps to offer, as well as a few of our regular popular classes, too! We’d love for you to get to know each instructor and contractor that we work with to offer these wonderful classes!

Victoria – Hip Hop Dance, After School Music Academy

"Hello! I am an educator and artist whose passion is providing youth equitable opportunities to express themselves creatively.  Having been on multiple dance teams in the Bay Area during college (Kidnetikz, MK Modern, AFX), I reflected on my childhood and wished I had learned the joy of dancing sooner. I realize now that due to my family's socioeconomic circumstances, they could not afford dance classes or extracurriculars for me at all. Thus, I seek to provide youth with equitable opportunities to learn about movement, build character, and provide a safe space to connect with each other."

Chris – Ukulele, After School Music Academy

Chris Batshon is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter, music producer and music teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began to play music at age 14 and was heavily inspired by musicians such as Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, John Petrucci and Joe Satriani.

 In 2016, he began attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he got his bachelor’s degree in Professional Music, specializing in Music Production and Composition. He has been teaching music for almost 10 years privately and at various music schools around the Bay Area and Greater Boston Area, specializing in Rock, Blues and Heavy Metal.

 Aside from being an music educator himself, he’s also been a student of some of the most notable guitarists in Jazz, Rock and Heavy Metal including Marcus Henderson of the Guitar Hero series, Jon Finn and Rick Peckham, two of Berklee College of Music’s most distinguished professors, and Glen Drover, former lead guitarist of Megadeth.

Brett Burdette – It’s Pick’n Time!

“Hi, my name is Brett and I've been teaching guitar & ukulele for 8 years, 4 at HRC. I started "It's Pick'n Time!" to help families and individuals build healthy connections through music. I share my enthusiasm for life with families who understand that music is a gift & that through music miracles happen. I offer patient, encouraging Acoustic/Electric Guitar and Ukulele Lessons for beginners, intermediates, & experts of all ages.”

Richa Bapat, OutoftheBoxKids Director

Richa Bapat – OutoftheBoxKids

Mrs. Richa Bapat, an Architect turned Entrepreneur. Richa drives OutOfTheBoxKids strategic vision and manages its full business cycle. OutOfTheBoxKids is for families wanting the best for their children.

“We exist to enrich, excite, and entertain children by providing after school

 programs and holiday programs in California schools and Recreation Centers. Our programs provide highly experienced educators and premium levels of expertise. Our team is made up of awesome individuals who are passionate about teaching, and they create a friendly environment for your child to learn and grow. All our staff is background checked and are professionals who excel in teaching their respective S.T.E.A.M. subject. Our instructors are committed to continuous learning and never stop to give the best learning experience to your kids. Our Director, promises to bring the best and latest programs to the youth of California.”

Esther Allen – 3rd Quarter Sports

The thirtyish mother of three boys who are 13, 8 and 4. She graduated with a Masters & PhD in Patience. During the day, she works as an HR Generalist/Consultant for a local BioPharma company and after school, she manages some of the craziest social calendars you have ever seen! She created, owns and operates Third Quarter Sports as well as a Life Skills for kids class. This business started as a class for 10 basketball students and now has over 500 kids in her program.

Cobe – 3rd Quarter Sports

Born and raised in Boston, Coach Cobe moved to California, 18 years ago and never looked back. Dad of 4, Coach Cobe loves kids, pets and sports! During the day, Coach Cobe is a private swim instructor and after school he coaches all types of sports for kids 3-18 years old. This year he has coached several girls basketball and volleyball teams to championships. 

Lyndsee, Pied Piper Players

Pied Piper Players

Pied Piper Players

Pied Piper Players

Lyndsee prides herself on her ability to use theater and music to connect with people, especially those with special needs. She has worked with autistic children and is always seeking opportunities to spread theater to different communities. Lyndsee loves using her knowledge of American Sign Language to work on theatrical pieces for the deaf. She also enjoys sharing her love of theater and experience with younger generations.

Lyndsee received her BA in Theatre from San Francisco State University. There she was involved in several productions including Urinetown the Musical, and  Sondheim’s Into the Woods. She was a part of the University’s Brown Bag Theatre Company where she acted in Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, a Shakespeare Variety Show, and musical directed Across the Universe. Most recently she taught as a guest artist at the CSU Summer Arts program for the Broadway Vocal Class.Earlier credits include River City Theatre Company where she performed in 42nd Street, Bye Bye Birdie, Children of Eden. She attended Natomas Charter Performing and Fine Arts Academy.

 More on Pied Piper Players

Started in 2001, Pied Piper Players is an award-winning family theater organization dedicated to theater education and to promoting confidence, community, and excellence through participation in the theater arts. Founded by Leslie Stupple and a group of dedicated parents, we pride ourselves on being a workplace that works hard, has fun, and serves this community with creative, educational programs in the performing and technical arts. 

Our family community atmosphere supports the development of individual self-esteem in a fun, safe, non-competitive environment. We aim for excellence in collaborative learning, enriching social development, and on successful communication skills.

We have evolved from an organization focused on staging two MainStage musicals annually to a community with a home base and the capacity to offer a wide variety of theater programs year-round. MainStage musicals, teen programs, camps, acting/dancing/theater tech classes, free school shows and transportation, scholarships, and ticket gifting programs support our mission and vision.

National Academy of Athletics

The National Academy of Athletics team is on a mission to bring youth sports to kids throughout the nation. Besides being tons of fun, youth sports build essential life skills. Teamwork, leadership, and responsibility are some of these vital skills. Youth sports also teach crucial life lessons, such as competition, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Our camps teach kids how to cope with challenges and will boost their self-esteem and confidence.

We use sports to promote positive mental and physical development. We fight to diminish childhood obesity by advocating healthy, active lifestyles. We give kids the opportunity to have fun and meet positive people, such as coaches and parent volunteers, who will mentor them as they grow.

Through inspiration, motivation, and perspiration, we believe sports bring out a positive change in every participant!

Darlene Masamori - Beginner Soul Line Dance

Darlene Masamori started line dancing in 2010 and has never looked back.  In 2012, Dar as she likes to be called, started co-teaching a soul line dance class in San Francisco, CA. Dar teaches all genres at every opportunity, including Soul or Urban, country, R&B, Zydeco, and Jazz.

Soul Inspired Line Dancers was officially formed and co-founded by Dar, and friends Grace, Irene, and Marlene in the summer of 2012.  Soul Inspired Line Dancers has and will continue to participate in many local non-profit organizations leading line dance to help with the organization's fundraising efforts.  Dar teaches five soul line dance classes a week and travels to workshops throughout the nation.  It’s truly her passion.