Instructors Bios

Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. BS in Biology/Chemistry from UALR. Has a musical background and extensive travel which has prepared him to teach. He plays the guitar and mandolin and sings. Began teaching in Spring 2022.

Karin Bara began practicing yoga in 1996 and teaching in 2010. She is also a freelance writer and copy editor. She is married, has two grown sons, one lovely daughter-in-law, two funny and amazing grandchildren.

Born in West Memphis, Arkansas. Dr. of Pharmacy. Enjoys reading, and exercise. She is an avid volunteer for LifeQuest and the Patrick Hayes Center. Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2018.

He has been a columnist since February 1986 and won several state awards and two national awards from the Association of State Capitol Reporters and Editors for commentary. He authored a book on Bill Clinton's first year as president, entitled High Wire, published in 1994. He began his popular "Behind the Headlines" class for LifeQuest in 1997.

Experienced oil painter who has taught at LifeQuest since 2019. Won Best of Show Gold Award in 2020 from the Arkansas League of Artists Members Show. Enjoys games, exercising and gardening. Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2019.

Professionally an personal bankruptcy attorney, he is a self taught artist. Click his picture for more information. Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2014.

Caprise Cooper was born in Chicago, Illinois. She has a degree in fine art and studied for 8 years at an open studio. She has about 20 years experience with pastels and is a member of the Arkansas Pastel Society. She has taught pastel underpaintings and oil painting. She also enjoys hiking and motorcycling.

Born in Little Rock, AR. Tom has degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music as well as a Master's in Social Work. He has taught about the history of jazz piano, jazz piano instruction, and composition for over 45 years. Click his picture for more information. Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2019.

Editorial Cartoonist for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Syndicated Cartoonist for Creators Syndicate, Sculptor for Deering Studio. He studied Art at Truman Alston Studio and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. John had a unique childhood growing up in a fire station and is the only instructor to have been bitten by a piranha and a monkey that we know of. Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2016.

Jenni Duncan began teaching at LifeQuest in 2023. She was born in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. She has a BS in Education with a minor in Spanish and a Masters of Religious Education. She is a retired United Methodist pastor, writer and artist. She has taught English as a second language, bilingual cooking classes, and Spanish-lead Bible Study.

Originally from Dumas, Arkansas. He attended school at Hendrix College (B.A.), and Georgetown University (J.D.). Retired U.S. Ambassador (Republic of Malawi and Republic of Congo) and Foreign Policy Instructor at Hendrix College form 2010-2017. For more in-depth bio, please click Alan's photo to download more information. He enjoys reading foreign policy and fiction and traveling (mostly to France.) He began teaching at LifeQuest in 2016.

John retired from FIS/Systematics after working for over 34 years just before the pandemic hit. He was born in Pine Bluff but raised in North Little Rock. His degree in History and Writing was received from UALR. He has studied Napoleon for over 40 years and published two articles in Napoleon Magazine. He began teaching at LifeQuest in the Fall of 2022.

Born in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Central High School, Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Law School. Former Emeritus Professor at UALR School of Law. Married to local realtor, Charlotte John. Enjoys singing and playing the guitar. As a member of the LifeQuest Law Crew, he began teaching at LifeQuest in 2000.

Terry earned a PhD from the Chicago Theological Seminary in history and religion. He taught world religions and world history for a number of years. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing and sauntering in state parks. Terry facilitates book groups and offers classes online for the Cobb Institute / Center for Process Studies (part of the Eco-Civilization movement). He began teaching with LifeQuest in the winter of 2023.

Retired attorney from Rose Law Firm. BA from Hendrix College and JD from University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Has been in the same book club for more than forty years. He began teaching at LifeQuest in 2009.

Retired as the pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in the fall of 2021 where he began serving in 2001. He attended the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (and has received a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020) as well as served as a dean and adjunct professor of preaching from 1983-1991.

Dennis Haning is a retired insurance agent who serves as the treasurer for the Rotary International in Little Rock. He first joined LifeQuest in the spring term of 2024 and has been involved with Tell Your Own Story since. He joins JoEllen as a co-facilitator of this class in the winter of 2025.

A resident of central Arkansas, Harden has been a longtime force in the arts scene in South Arkansas. He owned and operated Bensberg Music in El Dorado and Camden for many years, has directed and appeared in a long list of successful South Arkansas Arts Center productions. He first taught Improv at LifeQuest in the spring of 2024.

Born in Santa Ana, CA, Susan enjoys painting landscapes and walking. She is pastel artist with training from Louisiana Tech University. Has taught portrait and landscape classes in Arkansas, Ohio, and Georgia. Click her picture for more information. She began teaching at LifeQuest in 2019.

Jill Jones graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Journalism and a specialty in fiction writing. Jill has published sixteen historical novels and taught writing for Elderhostel workshops. She presents papers to the Asthetic Club and is very interested in history. She was also the director of a house museum in North Carolina, and has worked in public relations and advertising.

Pam Kiser was born in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. She is a retired family medical specialist with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She enjoys reading, taking care of dogs and spending time with family and friends. She began teaching Pickleball at LifeQuest in the Winter 2023 term.

Mind and Mindfulness: Journey in the Labyrinth instructor. Professor & Director of Mashburn Center of Learning at University of Central Arkansas.

Doris received a math degree from Queens College in New York. She worked for Systematics and Alltel in the training department. In 2020, she began taking photographs as a side job including weddings, birthdays and other events. She is a member of the LifeQuest Board of Directors and Curriculum Committee. She began teaching in the Fall of 2022.

Dr. Krain completed a residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and completed a two year fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry from the University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He serves as the Assistant Program Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Residency. He is a clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UAMS and is a staff psychiatrist at CAVHS. His first class at LifeQuest is in the Fall 2024 Term.

A member of Mid-Southern Watercolorists, Stephen came highly recommended to LifeQuest. He retired from teaching mathematics at Mabelvale Schools in 2019. Click his image to see his art. He enjoys teaching watercolor and drawing. He began teaching in Fall 2022.

Retired Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. She has been a scrapbooker and stamper hobbyist since 1994. Loves travel, crafting, and sports (GO HOGS!). She has taught at LifeQuest since 2018.

Born in Oklahoma but raised in central Arkansas since age three. He works as a Software Engineer consultant in Conway. His art has shown in exhibits since 2005. Please click image to be taken to professional website. He began teaching at LifeQuest in 2018.

Originally from New Orleans, she has degrees in Elementary Education and a Master's in Audiology. She has been an avid Mah Jongg enthusiast for over 40 years and has taught the game to players all over the world. Ellen has been teaching Mah Jongg since Fall 2010 at LifeQuest.

Raised in Georgia, Floyd has degrees from University of Illinois, University of Iowa and from Carleton College. He taught art history for over 30 years at UALR as well as lead field trips to a number of regional museums. He cofound the Arkansas Art History Symposium. Click his image to watch a short interview. He began teaching art history at LifeQuest in 2023.

Has taught with LifeQuest since at least 2015. A professional writer, artist, film critic, and author, he is also the Movie/Style Editor/Columnist for Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Click on picture for more information.

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Dave attended Wayne State College (BA), Universidad Internacional (MA), and the University of South Dakota (ED.D.). He enjoys teaching Spanish classes and occasionally playing music with the LifeQuest Folkies. He started teaching in the folk music class in 2019 and began teaching Spanish in the spring of 2024.

A Connecticut Yankee, Ralph relocated to Hendrix College in as professor of psychology from 1976 -2011. Spare time is given over to running, folk music and jazz and gardening. He gathered friends to create the band of LifeQuest Folkies who began sharing their love of music with LifeQuest in 2015.

Born in Memphis, TN. Retired from Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare, Studied at UAMS College of Nursing. Enjoys reading, daily hikes and art projects. Began facilitating LifeQuest Book Club in 2019.

Charles comes to us from Claremore, Oklahoma. He retired from the Arkansas School of Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts and was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2010. He enjoys reading, hiking, swimming and bicycling. He renewed Walks in the Parks at LifeQuest in 2022.

Retired from UAMS Department of Pediatrics, Anne Parat studied Art & English at Ohio Wesleyan University. She was the chairperson of LifeQuest Curriculum Committee from 2018-2022 and while coordinating many classes, is also responsible for encouraging many beloved art instructors to teach with us. She began teaching introductory art courses in 2023.

Jon received degrees in religious studies from Ouachita Baptist University and Yale Divinity School. He retired from Legacy Termite and Pest Control. He and his wife, Lisa, have been attending LifeQuest class for many years and enjoy watching their grandkids play sports. He began facilitating Great Books (now renamed Great Reads) in the Fall 2022 term.

Born in the United States of America in July, Rudy Rieple barely graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M. He has been a volunteer facilitator of Socrates Cafe since before 2008. In his free time, he enjoys complaining and grousing, facilitating Socrates Cafe, and being self-deprecating. Rudy joined LifeQuest in 2023.

A native Little Rock resident, she attend Hall High School. Retired from the Workers Compensation Commission as a Legal Advisor, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with additional hours for school counseling certification and a Juris Doctorate. She is interested in facilitating book groups related to art or spiritual subject matter and has since 2019 for LifeQuest.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama. Recently worked as an art director. BFA from Auburn University with an emphasis in Graphic Design. Former President of both the Arkansas League of Artists and the Arkansas Pastel Society. Chairman for APS National Show in 2021. She enjoys pickleball, dog training and running. Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2019.

Mary Todd was born in Chanute, Kansas. She has a BSE & MS in Physical Education and a Masters of Physical Therapy. She has played Pickleball in tournaments. In 2022, she placed 2nd in the women's doubles in the AR Senior Olympics. She placed 1st in the US National Sr Pickleball tournament in Oklahoma City. She also enjoys training dogs at the Little Rock Dog Training Club. She began teaching pickleball at LifeQuest in 2023.

Born in Malvern, AR, Sue has an M.D. with a specialty in Internal Medicine. She has been playing Pickleball since mid-2019 and has played competitively in several tournaments and the Senior Olympics. She enjoys macrame and spending time with her grandson. She began teaching pickleball at LifeQuest in 2023.

Fred attended Columbia Law School after graduating from Vanderbilt University. Named "Lawyer of the Year," in 2021 in the area of Litigation-Labor & Employment Law. Specialized in Railroad Law. Click on picture for more information. A member of the LifeQuest Law Crew, Fred became involved with LifeQuest in 2011.

Born in Boonville, Arkansas, Larry Vaught graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. He taught music for eight years before pursuing his law degree at UALR. He served in a legal capacity in many positions (sought out and elected too) and still plays the guitar and writes music. He became a member of the beloved "LifeQuest Law Crew" in 2022.

Born in Colombus, Georgia, she received her B.S. from University of Montevallo, and her M.S. from University of Alabama. Served on two church staffs as Minister of Child Development to approximately 800 children weekly. She enjoys reading, watercolor and pastels, as well as other crafting projects. As a member of the Curriculum Committee, she will be Chairperson in 2025 so bring your new class ideas to her! She began facilitating Grandparenting Today in 2019.

Californian native, Rose moved to Arkansas in 2004 with her extended family following in 2007. She worked as a Benefits Technician Supervisor for the state of Arkansas. She volunteered as an art instructor with Easter Seals. She started sharing her love of dance with LifeQuest starting in 2018.

Mike Walden was born in Washington, DC. He attended Bartley High School in Memphis, and received degrees from Rhodes and Washington & Lee University School of Law. He retired as a prosecuting attorney from Jonesboro, Arkansas in 2015. He began teaching with the LifeQuest Law Crew in 2019. He currently occupies his time doing what his wife asks him and serves as Chief Transportation Officer for their six grandchildren.

Retired educational professional. MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Indiana University Bloomington, Ed.S. from University of Louisville, Ed.D. from University of Louisville. She began co-teaching paper crafting in 2016 at LifeQuest.

Attended University of Texas. Retired from Mitchell Williams Law Firm (specializing in taxes). Click his photo to learn more. He has headed LifeQuest's Law Crew which has taught at LifeQuest on a variety of topics since 2000.

BS in Zoology, joined Peace Corps and went to Central African Republic. Returned and obtained a MS in Zoology/Aquaculture. Began illustrating as a part of his job (he's a retired science illustrator) that evolved into becoming a founding member of "Central Arkansas Urban Sketchers" Has taught sketching and watercolor at Maumelle Center on the Lake and for LifeQuest.

Born in Passaic, New Jersey, JoEllen received her M.Div. from Drew University. A former minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Little Rock, JoEllen spends her free time knitting and crocheting, creating computer art, and sewing. She began to help facilitate Tell Your Own Story starting in Fall 2022.

Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Practice at the UAMS College of Pharmacy. Is an honorary member of the LifeQuest Law Crew. Degrees in Political Science, US History and Pharmacy. Enjoys drawing, and music (choral and chamber music in particular). Began teaching with LifeQuest in summer 2019.

Born in Kytesville, Missouri, she attended school in Salisbury, Missouri and Christian College in Colombia, Missouri. She enjoys painting, crafts as well as Zumba and line dancing. Has taught Tai Chi Northern Wu style at LifeQuest since 2011.