Our Instructors

Founded by Jill Ahlstrand, Harvesting Flavor blends practical nutrition education with approachable cooking techniques, focusing on meals that are rich in protein, fiber, and flavor. Jill’s work is especially supportive for people who are curious about plant-based eating but don’t want strict rules, perfection, or complicated recipes.

Jill is a plant-based cooking educator and corporate wellness speaker who believes that growing and cooking real food can transform both health and community. Her love for gardening began at 15, when she got her first job at a local plant nursery and fell in love with watching something grow from seed to harvest. Over the years, gardening became more than just a hobby — it became a lifeline, a teacher, and a source of healing.

Says Jill, “I didn’t grow up plant-based. I’ve had to learn how to make food that’s not just good for you, but good period. Food that even the most loyal carnivores in my life genuinely enjoy. Through trial, error, and a lot of kitchen experiments, I discovered how to coax flavor from simple ingredients — and how to make meals that people look forward to, not just ‘settle for’.”

Jill brings her experience into her hands-on plant-based cooking classes and workplace wellness talks, helping individuals and corporate teams learn how to cook nourishing, seasonal meals that support long-term health.

Harvesting Flavor is the result of all of that: my garden dirt-streaked hands, the lessons learned in my kitchen, and my belief that growing and eating with the seasons doesn’t have to be complicated — just intentional.

Andrew Bloch is a fencing coach and master martial artist who has spent decades teaching students of all ages. He previously owned his own academy, where he taught fencing and other movement arts, and has coached fencers from the beginner level through national-level competition. Andrew’s classes combine strong fundamentals, practical strategy, physical discipline, and a welcoming approach for students who are ready to learn and work.

Aaron Cote is a second-degree black belt (Nidan) in Judo, awarded by the United States Judo Association, and also holds a second-degree black belt in Japanese Jujitsu under Mark Pearlman Sensei.

Aaron began his Judo journey in 2000 under the instruction of Israel Lopez Sensei,  owner, and Chief Instructor of Sen-I Judo Club. Through years of dedicated training, Aaron has developed into both an accomplished competitor and respected instructor, known for his technical knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to the traditional values of Judo.

An active competitor with Veterans Judo USA, Aaron continues to test his skills in competition while bringing current, practical experience into every class he teaches.

Aaron serves as the Lead Instructor for both the children’s and adult Judo programs at Sen-I Judo Club, located at the Hitchcock Community Center in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Established in 1996, Sen-I Judo Club is affiliated with the United States Judo Association and remains committed to quality instruction, student safety, and character development.

As a licensed coach with the United States Judo Association, Aaron has completed SafeSport® training, Heads Up concussion awareness training, and all required background screening.

Aaron’s teaching philosophy emphasizes efficiency, resilience, adaptability, courage, perseverance, humility, courtesy, respect, modesty, and self-control. He believes Judo should develop not only strong martial artists, but also confident, disciplined, and respectful individuals.

Whether working with children, adults, beginners, or experienced judoka, Aaron is dedicated to helping every student grow through disciplined training, mutual respect, and lifelong learning.

Linda enjoys teaching all ages and levels and offers a variety of musical styles to suit the interests of her students. Linda was a violinist in the Austin Symphony Orchestra for 22 years, and teaches violin and viola to all ages and levels.

Linda has always been a creative person and has experimented with painting, drawing, metal and wood, but it was when she took her first pottery class at Worcester Center for Crafts that she discovered her true passion for working with clay and has been at it for 30 years. She is the owner of Nature’s Gallery Studio in Brimfield. Much of her work is showcased in local shops.

As owner of Let’s Cake Decorate, Sue has been cake decorating for 30+ years since she first enrolled in the Wilton Method of Cake Decorating Courses as a teenager. At that time, instruction was offered as correspondence courses that were sent in the mail.

“I can still feel the excitement I had when a big box of decorating tools and instructions arrived at the doorstep! I couldn’t wait to dig in and practice! Well, practice I did, over and over I would make those detailed roses and rosebuds. I practiced and learned enough to make my own wedding cake – with pillars, a fountain, staircases and all!”

Although she still enjoys making occasional specialty cakes when time allows, Sue realized the enjoyment of showing others how to decorate their own beautiful, sweet creations. So eventually, after many more skills and technique classes and training at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating (and raising four wonderful boys with many, many birthday cakes), Sue became a Wilton Instructor. Then, when Wilton later stopped their in-person classes, she had enjoyed teaching so much that she started her own business.

Sue teaches classes throughout Central MA at various venues as well as through private in-home classes.

Alora is a certified Reiki Master and Certified Meditation Teacher providing intuitive energy work. This includes non-invasive modalities such as Guided Meditation, Reiki, and Sound Therapy to promote energy alignment, relaxation, and general wellness.

Karen is a Pilates, Yoga, Thai massage therapist and licensed riding instructor, with 35 years of teaching experience. She has taught for Joy of Movement, FitCorp, and other studios in Boston. She has taught Pilates and riding at various riding schools in Massachusetts, in addition to teaching therapeutic riding and coaching Special Olympics for 10 years. She specializes in working with Pilates clients who have stenosis of the spine, osteoporosis, arthritic spinal issues and cerebral palsy. Karen and her partner Andrew own Liberty Farm, 100 acre animal sanctuary in the Pioneer Valley. She enjoys visiting the White Mountains with her son, and mountain biking/rollerblading with Andrew.

Karen believes that“being healthy and strong allows us to enjoy the beauty that life has to offer.”

Rebecca is a certified Group Fitness Instructor with a passion for teaching. After falling in love with High Fitness in California she taught it for over two years before adding UpBeat Barre and Surge Strength to her qualifications. Rebecca enjoys how each format offers something unique and loves helping others through fitness. As a wife and mother of three, she understands the importance of self-care, and her journey helped improve her well-being. She says, “I want to share that empowering experience with others—it’s an hour for you to have fun and forget all the daily stresses!”

What one student has to say about Rebecca, High Fitness, and Hitchcock:

​”A few years back, Hitchcock’s list of programs included a new exercise class called High Fitness taught by an instructor new to the area. I decided to give it a try – and Rebecca and this fitness class turned out to be absolute treasures. Over the last 2 1/2 years, most Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8pm, a group of amazing women join in on this high energy, very fun class. There’s been so much laughter, friendships formed, stories told (and a lot of sweat)! Hitchcock is such an incredible asset to our town and local communities. It’s a place where this kind of magic happens.”
​-Ellen S., Brimfield

Chris Lyons is a stained-glass instructor who has worked in the medium for over 30 years with a focus on the copper-foil technique and Tiffany lamp creation. Chris has also worked in many other types of glass work including lead-came construction, hot glass, mosaics, glass art pattern design, flat panel creation, 3D object development (including candleholders and terrariums) and both panel and rounded Tiffany-style lamps. He has a deep understanding of stained-glass manufacturing techniques and a wealth of knowledge regarding glass types and how to make glass selections for projects. His studio, Glass Visions is now located in downtown Springfield and Chris offers a full set of specially designed stained-glass classes from Intro to Advanced Lamp Making. He also offers stained glass and supplies, does repair work and is available for commission work. Chris also offers a complete electronic book on the copper-foil technique covering all aspects of the art form which is used as the basis for his Beginning Stained-Glass class.

Sharon Palmer, M.Ed., is a certified 500-hr Kripalu Yoga Instructor and Reiki practitioner offering Yoga, meditation, Chi Kung, mindful movement practices, and Reiki sessions in the Central Massachusetts region. Public and private classes are offered at community centers such as Hitchcock Community Center and other non-profit organizations, as well as online. Sharon has been exploring mind-body practices and meditation for nearly 25 years, and began teaching Kripalu Yoga in 2013. Please visit allcandoyoga.com for more information.

Bronwyn Pearson is a local high school music teacher and professional musician. She holds degrees in Music Education and Flute Performance, and is also proficient at piano and guitar. In performance, she has played and sung with many college ensembles as a guest performer – as well as with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra – and plays for many ensembles in the area including Tantasqua Regional’s Show Chorus. She has been teaching flute and piano lessons for 3 years now for students ages 6 and older, and works with them to keep them engaged, motivated and focused. She uses various books and repertoire to fit the student’s level and ability – understanding many of her younger students need a fun and exciting environment to make music. Other than music, Bronwyn loves to create art, whether it’s drawing, painting, bedazzling, or knitting!

Jim Perry has been a musician since he was a small child. He learned piano first, then picked up the guitar. He has played in various bands (including Albatross and Down East) professionally throughout his life. In the late 1980s, he began teaching and found his calling. Jim offers lessons in all styles of music and teaches directly to the student’s abilities.

The Wheelocks are multi-trained bodywork practitioners based in Three Rivers, MA. Their practice spans acupressure, Reiki, herbal studies, sound therapy, color therapy, and aromatherapy — a rich, holistic toolkit built through years of dedicated study and hands-on experience. Certified practitioners since 2008, the Wheelocks have spent over 15 years studying, practicing, and teaching the healing arts.