OLLI Instructors

is a native of Italy. She has many years of teaching experience working with adult populatios. Before coming to OLLI at UM, Ms. Bai taught Grammar and Italian for Travelers at Ringling College - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Sarasota, FL. and at Suncoast Technical College - Adult and Community Enrichment.  Prior to that, Ms. Bai taught Italian in Modena, Italy. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Bologna in Italy.

Mr. Buck Beasom teaches courses for OLLI chapters across the country. He has a two-track career that includes four decades in data management and applications development while he also taught courses in Business, Accounting and Economics. He also spent 5 years teaching History at the Middle and High School levels.

Mr. Cesar Becerra is a south florida historian who focuses on Miami and the Everglades, and recently the greater Caribbean as he is the new onboard lecturer on Celebrity Cruise Line's Beyond the Podium Series. He is the past publisher of Cuban Dreams, an award winning newsletter that was printed weekly during the 100th anniversary of The Spanish American War.

Ms. Liz Chifari holds a B.A. in English from the University of Rochester, an M.L.S. from Emory University, and a J.D. from the University of Miami. She spent her career working in publishing and then as the library manager at the law firm of Holland & Knight. She is now happily retired and is active in local literary and theater circles.

Ms. Andrea Clement has a BA in Art History from American University of Paris, France and an Associates of Science Degree in Professional Photography from Southeastern Center for Photographic Studies from Daytona Beach State College. She has been a workshop instructor at Fairchild Tropical Gardens since 2017.

has a Doctorate in Mesoamerican Studies from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from the Universidad Metropolitana in Mexico City. She was an adjunct professor at Florida International University and she has taught in Florida for the past 15 years. Ms. Cohen has published numerous articles in specialized Art and History magazines. She is currently a collaborator of a cultural magazine in Spanish online; LetraUrbana.com. She is the author of the historical novel Una Amapola Entre Cactus.

is a lecturer, educator, independent scholar, news analyst, and writer in Miami, FL.  A Lecturer in International Relations for over a decade at Florida International University, she earned her PhD in International Relations at FIU. Dr. Cohen has also taught as a Lecturer at the University of Miami, where she currently teaches lifelong learning and adult education courses, including online courses via Zoom.

is a BFA graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.  He taught there, in the theatre department, for 4.5 years.   He was the founder and director of The Ring of Steel, a 35 member troupe of theatrical stage fighters and choreographers who conducted workshops, classes, and performances in a 6-state area for over 10 years.  For 8.5 years, he was the historian and marketing director of Turner Broadcasting's HMS Bounty, and appeared as Lt. Cmdr. William Bligh.  Prior to becoming an Osher Lecturer, Mr. Dawson was the lead science performer for the Miami Museum of Science, entertaining and educating over 600,000 guests over 16 years.  Today, Mr. Dawson devotes his time and energy to creating and performing characters in his "Triumph and Tragedy" series of over 100 historic biographies.

Ms. Anush Dawidjan has her BS from Westfield State University and completed her graduate studies in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. She retired from the US Government after a successful 35 year career

has taught English as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, as well as other colleges and universities.  Ms. DeQuine has over 25 years of experience as a journalist for Time, Newsweek and People magazines.  She has two graduate degrees in writing from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and Florida International University.

an active OLLI member, was an original Madison Avenue "Madman" as a Creative Director at some of the world's largest ad agencies headquartered in New York and Chicago. He was President and Creative Director at his own ad agency in Miami for many years. Alan has created high-profile ad campaigns for some of the world's premier clients. He graduated with a BA and MA in history at the University of Miami, where he taught American and world history as a graduate teaching assistant. This was followed by PhD work in history at Cal-Berkeley, which was interrupted by his acceptance of a job as an advertising copywriter at J. Walter Thompson in New York. He is presently writing a sci-fi novel dealing with quantum physics and relativity theory.

is a retired academic radiologist who had a long career at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. She received her medical degree from State University of New York, Stonybrook, after her bachelor’s in Natural Science from Fordham University (NY). Since then, she has devoted her time to studying Functional Medicine and Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture. Recently, she has been interested in the effects of climate change on global public health.

has taught adults for over 20 years. She is a retired director of adult education at Miami-Dade College and current adjunct lecturer at UM in Spanish and English as a Second Language.

Ms. Dozier has a BA in English from Florida International University and a Masters of Science from Nova SouthEastern University. She has a certification as a Group Fitness Instructor from the Athletics and Fitness Association of America and National Academy of Sport's Medicine.  She has been teaching Rhythm International Fitness, online, since April 2023.

is an artist, art historian and educator. He studied at Bard College, Academia de Arte Federico Brandt, New World School of the Arts and the University of Florida. He lectures on art, culture and travel, teaches fine art and design and organizes cultural tours, as well as art and wine culinary events. As a Master Artist, he teaches art and is a guest lecturer onboard Celebrity Cruises ships. He has lived in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the United States and speaks fluent English, French and Spanish.

is the award winning author of the popular science book Einstein Relatively Simple: Our Universe Revealed in Everyday Language.  A retired aerospace program manager, he has been teaching at other South Florida lifelong learning programs since 2006 and at OLLI @UM since 2010.

received her doctoral degree in Musicology, Columbia University, has enjoyed a distinguished career as a scholar, performer, and university professor in the USA, Israel, and Spain. She has also conducted courses in music appreciation for adult education programs for over 30 years. Dr. Etzion teaches various lifelong learning programs in South Florida.

has a Doctorate of Law, Political and Social Sciences from the Universidad Nacional, Bogota, Colombia.  Dr. Fallon has taught at the National University in Colombia and was an associate professor at Tamkang University in China. He has written five books and has taught Spanish language and Literature.  He currently teaches a variety of Spanish language courses at the University of Miami, Intensive Language Institute. In 2018, he was honored with an award in Colombian Literature “FILCOL 2017” by the Hispanic Heritage Literature Organization in Miami, as a special recognition for his works as a writer, and poet, and for his dedication to teaching the Spanish language and Hispanic literature for over 40 years.

Ms. Girgis has a BA and MA in Spanish from the University of Toronto, Canada and a certificate in teaching Spanish as a foreign language from the University of Salamanca, Spain. Liza has been teaching Spanish classes at OLLI at UM since Spring 2023.

studied under Tai Chi Master, Tony Garcia, Certified Tai Chi for Health by Dr. Paul Lam - The Yang 24, Sun Tai Chi for Arthritis I/II, Sun/Chen Tai Chi for Energy, and Qi Gong.  She is also a certified Yoga instructor.

graduated cum laude from Union College as a Humanities major, concentrating in music and art history. He holds an MME degree in Choral Music Education from Ithaca College and a second masters from State University of NY at Albany in Educational Administration. Additionally, Dr. Greco holds a PhD in Musicology from UM. He teaches at both Miami Dade College and UM.

went to Harvard College and Law School. He clerked for an appellate judge, then taught Social Institutions at Miami Dade College for a year, while joining the Greenberg law firm. He also taught real estate investment at UM Law School in 1984.

is an active OLLI member. She has taught Ethics and Public Policy for the last 30 years, first at Princeton University and then at Swarthmore College, a top ranked liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia. She is an associate professor emeritus at Swarthmore College and a published author in Political Theory, and has taught five courses a year in Political Theory at Princeton and then at Swarthmore.

is an active OLLI member who earned a BA with Honors from Principia College in Government and Foreign Affairs and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He has held many high level executive positions, including vice president of Emerson Electric, executive vice president of the Campbell Soup Company, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, and chief operating officer of American Security Group and was Chairman of the Government Affairs Council for the Financial Services Roundtable composed of the 100 largest financial institutions in the US. In the public sector, he is a former special assistant to President Nixon and a former Assistant to President Reagan as well as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Dr. Harper was on the faculty of the Political Science Department at Rutgers University where he lectured on American Government.

recently retired from The Boeing Copany, where he was vice president and assistant general counsel for Government Operations in Washington, D.C., and as Chairman, Board of Direetors, Thrivent Mutual Funds, Minneapolis, MN. Earlier, he served as president of the National Legal Center for the Public Interest and was a partner with the national law firm Baker Hostetler.  He has held numerous positions in government incuding Assistant United States Attorney (Miami) and Attorney Advisor, Office of the Deputey Attorney General,  US Department of Justice; General Counsel,  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD);  Deputy Counsel to the President, the White House; and Chairman, Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation.  Mr. Hauser has a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.  He received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami, School of Law.  He has taught a series at OLLI at UM called “Law and Order” for the past three years.

has been an OLLI member for the past 10 years, after retiring from a Financial Services company.  During this time, he has been an active OLLI member, serving as Chairman of the Advisory Council and then as a member of the Council.  In addition, he has served as the Chairman of the Curriculum Committee; as the founder and coordinator of the Current Events Club; as an instructor of the Investments Class; and, as facilitator of the Great Decisions courses, and more.

is an OLLI member who enjoys leading and facilitating the Book Club.

received his degree in Industrial Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. As a member of the US and Foreign Commercial Service, Mr. Koslowski designed USA pavilions and supervised the installations of major USA exhibitions in international trade fairs and solo exhibitions in 30 countries throughout the world.  For the past 15 years, Mr. Koslowski has been teaching various courses in the Art of Digital Photography and Adobe post processing enhancement at OLLI@UM, Miami-Dade Community College and FIU.

is an active OLLI member who enjoys facilitating the Shakespeare Reading Group.

Ms. Merridy Kotler has a BFA and partial Master's Degree in Art Education which focused on Cultural Identity. She created and taught courses to Adults and High School students.

is an active OLLI member who enjoys leading the “In the News” SIG. She is a retired educator with experience teaching film.

Tony Lee has a BA from Yale University and an MBA from Rutgers and is now retired. He has worked as an educator on climate change, giving talks and leading courses for 30 years. He helped develop the “Can We Stop Climate Change?” course and, with a small team, has led it 30 times in the last 3 years to over 300 people.

is a professional actress, dancer, choreographer and director.  She is a member of Actor's Equity and when not performing she taught improvisation, musical theatre and acting to students ranging in age from six to adult.  She has directed and choreographed shows for numerous universities and off broadway.

Phyllis Levy has a Master's degree in Library Science and worked in public library reference and branch management for 35 years. She participated in the PhD film studies program at the University of Miami and now teaches and facilitates film discussion groups.  Phyllis is a life-long learner and lives on Zoom. She is a silver life master in bridge. She is active in her congregation and facilitates Torah study on Shabbat. 

has a BA in Political Science from Long Island University, an an M. Ed. in Community Psychology from the University of Miami. She is a pscychological counselor who has worked in school and community settings with children and adults on drug, sexual and domestic abuse issues as well as bullying. She is a child of Holocaust survivors and Nazi Germany refugees. She has personal experience with former Nazis seeking forgiveness.

Dr. Alan Mason received the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Accompanying from the University of Miami. Additionally, Alan has completed post-doctoral coursework in vocal and operatic accompanying at Northwestern University, and several summers of study at Hebrew Union College in
Cincinnati.

an OLLI member,is a UM graduate with a double major in French and English and received an M.A. from UNC at Chapel Hill in French. She has held French teaching posts in Dallas, FIU, Rice, and Houston Community College. Ms. Menendez-King studied in France and lived in Bordeaux. She has a passion for languages and cultures.

has a Doctorate in Education from University of Miami, a Master of Science in Mathematics from New York University and a Bachelor in Business Administration from University of Puerto Rico. She taught Mathematics at Miami Dade College for thirty-five years and is presently an Adjunct Mathematics Professor at the University of Miami.

For the past ten years, Dra. Montemar has attended numerous conferences, workshops and seminars on the Bible and has earned Certificates from Ignatian Spirituality Center.  She has taught many classes related to Spirituality topics.

holds a Masters in Education Psychology, a Masters in Clinical Social Work, and Post Graduate studies from Argentina.  She is a licensed psychotherapist-coach in private practice lately focusing in working with men and women 50+. Ms. Moussatche-Wechsler is a frequent lecturer on the subjects of transitions, positive psychology, wellness, active aging, neuroscience, meaningful legacy, resilience and decluttering. Ms. Moussatche-Wechsler’s workshops and group-work have been transforming those interested in exploring the full potential of the middle and late life-stages.

is a Grammy Award Winning, Internationally acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger who has recorded and performed extensively in Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and the U.S.A. with many of the world’s most renowned Jazz artists. Brian has been associated as music director/accompanist with artists as diverse as Wynton Marsalis, Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Diana Krall, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Tom Scott, Woody Shaw, Mark O’Connor, Albert Collins, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Donna “Blue MacDonald”, Jimmy Witherspoon, Kevin Mahogany, Vivian Reed, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, David Liebman, Bob Berg, Eddie Daniels, Plas Johnson, Wycliffe Gordon, Jackie Paris, Dame Shirley Bassey, Lucie Arnaz, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jack Jones, Bernadette Peters, Julie Budd, Nigel Kennedy, Caroline Rocher, The Diamonds, Hal Linden, Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci and many others.

Brian has created/supervised/recorded many special arrangements for the King of Latin Music, TITO PUENTE, and was honorably noted, along with Tito, in the Salsa Guidebook by Rebeca Mauleon. Their arrangement of Straight No Chaser is cited as a reference for converting a non-clavé melody into clavé.

Brian has performed all over the world with artists of note for many distinguished guests including Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York, Faye Dunaway, Esteé Lauder, Sir Edmund Hillary, Oscar Peterson, Bono (U2), Shirley Horn, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, the Dalai Lama and others.

For more information, please visit: https://www.brianmurphymusic.com/bio-osher-musical-theatre.html

received her Doctorate of Modern Languages from Middlebury College in Vermont and is presently an Italian instructor at F.I.U. She has been the Educational Director for O.D.L.I. (Organizzazione Per La Diffusione Della Lingua Italiana) since 2013.

is a Corporate Trainer. She has 16 years of experience working in the Call Center Industry. She trained in various computer systems, such as AT&T and FedEx, domestically and internationally. In addition, she has a wide range of experience in Microsoft and Macintosh.

earned his Ph.D and M.A. from New York University in higher education and arts administration.  Dr. Prestamo is an internationally recognized symphony orchestra conductor and has extensive experience in all areas of music.  He is  presently an adjunct faculty at Florida International University.

as born in Caracas, Venezuela, where she received her background and practice as a teacher in yoga and meditation from La Gran Fraternidad Universal Fundación. She graduated with a bachelor degree in humanities and art degree from the Escuela de Artes Visuales Cristobal Rojas, also in Caracas. Nina lived in Caracas until 1995 when she moved to Miami. In Miami, Nina is a life coach, medical assistant and licensed massage therapist.

is a retired M-DCPS teacher.  She retired after 35 years of educating students in the M-DCPS system.  She has been a member of OLLI since 2013. Susan attained her Masters in Reading because she loves reading and likes to share this passion with others. Susan is also certified by the NCCAP (National Certification Council for Activity Professionals) as an Activity Consultant (ACC).   She enjoys leading and facilitating the As the "Book" Pages Turn Shared Interest Group.

Ms. Linda Sankpill is a native of Coral Gables, Florida. She has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Miami. Linda is the best-selling author of thirty-five romantic suspense novels under the pseudonym of Linda Conrad.

has a PhD in American studies, and is the author of four books on the Atomic Age. He has 20 years of experience as an adjunct professor of American history.

Ms. Judith Schwartz is a retired Clinical Social Worker. She is now a "by the book" Canasta instructor who teaches in accordance with NMJL and CLA standards. She has taught Canasta with as many as 125 students. She firmly believes that sharing the skill - and fun - of these games has been a productive way to spend her retirement years.

Formerly a Miami investment manager, Ellen moved to Gainesville, Florida, where she studies climate science at the University of Florida. 

With a BA in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Social Psychology from Goddard College, Ellen created Climate Conversations 101, for the University of Miami’s OLLI, as well as Gainesville’s Oak Hammock’s Institute for Learners in Retirement. Her passion in retirement is to amplify the message: warming is real, it’s bad, together we can fix it! 

Ms. Blanca Silva has a Masters in Modern Languages and a BA in French and Spanish Literature. She taught French at Miami Coral Park High School for 17 years

received his J.D. from the University of Miami and is a seasoned appellate attorney having personally litigated over 1400 civil and criminal appeals spanning a 32-year career.  Among his many victories, he has obtained unanimous decisions in both the United States Supreme Court and the Florida Supreme Court. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers – one of the country’s more prestigious organizations.  Mr. Sepler has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law for over 22 years, teaching most of the appellate courses at the University of Miami.

Mr. David Vess is a composer, music theory instructor and 2nd Year DMA Student at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Dave teaches classes about Classical Music and Film Music, helping audiences from all kinds of backgrounds enrich their enjoyment and love of music

is a native of Marseille, France. He obtained a BA and Master’s degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Aix-Marseille and a Master’s degree in Comparative Philosophy from the University of Hawaii. He was awarded his PhD in English and Comparative Literature at St. Andrews in the UK. He is the author of several books including George Eliot and George Sand, L’Amerique des Utopies, The Literature of Provence, A Literary Guide to Provence, and a Dictionary of Idioms: French-American, American-French. He has taught French and Comparative Literature in various American universities as well as the Defense Language Institute in Monterey and the Alliance Française of San Francisco. He has also taught Philosophy at a French lycée and English literature in French universities of Strasbourg, Nice and Marseille. Daniel moved to Miami in 2013 and has been teaching philosophy at MDC, FIU, and most recently French and philosophy at UM-OLLI. Dr. Vitaglione has also taught cinema classes at the San Francisco Film Institute on the New Wave, and French female directors, Santa Clara University and the Alliance Française.

holds a Ph.D. in Cinema Studies from New York University and an M.A. in Film Studies from University College, London. Dr. Vitaglione also studied Italian cinema history in Italy with senior scholar, Gian Piero Brunetta at the University of Padua and is fluent in Italian. She has previously taught at New York University and at Queens College.

has a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Florida International University and a Specialist Degree in Special Education from the University of Florida. She has been an ESE Facilitator for the Broward County Public Schools since 2008.

has coached and refereed youth sports and officiated high school and small college football for 43 years, including being a member of the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami and Orange Bowl games chain crew.  Mr. Young officiated high school and college baseball including University of Miami and Olympic trials games.

is an active member who enjoys leading and facilitating technology classes. She attended Miami-Dade College and Barry University, obtaining a degree in Liberal Arts. She retired as a manager from AT&T and later worked as an Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Coral Gables. She is currently a translator for a Catholic group and a proud grand-mother of three beautiful children.