The Italian Institute is a cultural and educational center founded in January 2009, based in Denver, Colorado.

The Italian Institute facilitates the study of the Italian language and culture through the promotion of intellectual, artistic, and social exchanges between the Italian-speaking world and our local community. In addition to Italian language, cooking and cultural classes, we also offer translation, interpretation, travel consulting and ESL services.

Team of Instructors

	Maria A Chiacchio, Founder and CEO of the Italian Institute Ltd., created the Italian Institute in response to the increasing demand for Italian language and cultural opportunities in the Denver area. Although born in Sicily, Maria was raised in Como, Italy. In 1992, she moved to Venezuela and successfully founded a non-proft organization that procures medical treatment and supplies for patients in need; this organization is still active and running successfully today. During this time, she also taught Italian as a foreign language to students of the Italian-American school, Agustin Codazzi. In 2002, Maria moved to Denver and continued teaching Italian as a private tutor. She also provided translation and interpretation services to a wide range of Italian and American sports, marble and manufacturing companies. In the years to follow, Maria developed and subsequently established the Italian Institute to share her passion for the Italian language and culture with Italophiles. In her free time, Maria enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, cooking and, of course, traveling to Italy. She also takes great pleasure in spending time with her son, family and friends. As many will attest, Maria is always happy to welcome her students and friends with a good Italian espresso.
	Mallory Kinlaw Nardin joined the Italian Institute as a language instructor in October of 2009. Her passion for the Italian language and culture grew out of her academic studies of the health-promoting benefits of the "Mediterranean Lifestyle" in Venice, Italy. Through a series of study, research and teaching opportunities, Mallory spent several years in the region, co-authoring scientific articles and presenting her research academic conferences. Over the course of her time abroad, Mallory fell in love not only with the Italian language but also with her Italian husband, Matteo. Although now in their new home of Denver, Colorado, they continue to follow their favorite Italian soccer team, Inter. In her free time, Mallory also enjoys hiking, running and spending time in the kitchen with family and friends. Mallory is a graduate of Wake Forest University, a Masters Candidate in Italian Studies and a recipient of the Cesare Barbieri Award for Italian Culture at Middlebury College. She also has extensive experience in translation and interpretation having worked in both capacities with Italian and American periodicals, businesses and universities.