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.
	Caren Davidkhanian is a bilingual journalist and writer with over 25 years of experience in teaching both Italian and English as a second language. In the 30 years he has spent in Rome, Caren has helped hundreds of adult students to learn to speak those two languages. This included teaching intensive, one-month language courses at the Vatican-run Università Pontifica Salesiana aimed toward preparing foreign students for the university’s entry exam. In Denver, Caren has taught at the University of Denver (VIVA lifelong learning program) and the Colorado Free University. As a journalist, Caren is a member of Italy’s official Ordine dei Giornalisti Italiani. He has worked as managing editor, correspondent or freelance writer for several Italian and U.S. publications, including Il Riformista, The Hollywood Reporter, International Daily News, International Courier, Daily American News Italy, and a number of other dailies and magazines. From 1990 to 2004, he was co-founder and publisher of the Italian Press Digest, a daily report in English on Italian current affairs. Caren is also the author or co-author of several travel and wine and food guide books on Italy published in the Eighties and Nineties, including Italia & Italy (Italian Trade Commission); Wines of Siena (Trade Commission of Siena); Guide à la Dégustation (Office International de la Vigne et du Vin); Time Out Guide: Florence & Tuscany (Penguin Books), and Rome (Automobile Club Italiano). Rome has been translated in seven European languages and in Japanese. The U.S. edition was published by Everyman City Guides (1999); the French edition, by Gallimard (1998). Caren is passionate about horses. During the day, you’ll find him riding horses in a ranch east of Denver.
	Massimiliano Minoli joined the Italian Institute Ltd. as a native language instructor in May 2010. Massimiliano was born and raised in Bergamo, Italy. He worked for several years with different companies as a consultant and translator: Neron International, Prolong Lubricant, GTS Group, and TWS BRAZZI. He also traveled frequently to various European countries for work to provide technical translation and interpretation services since he is fluent in both Italian and English. As a language instructor, Massimiliano finds great pleasure in teaching and his students benefit from his years of experience. He completed his studies Advanced English in Washington, DC in 1997 and returned to Italy. He moved back to the DC Metro area in 2009 where he and his wife resided for a short period of time before to moving to the Denver area in January, 2010. In his spare time, Massimiliano is quite passionate about all things automotive related. He does quite a bit of mechanical work and restoration on cars and motorcycles, and has had the great pleasure of driving at different racetracks in Italy and Europe. He also loves photography and cross-country skiing, biking, and hiking with his family.
	Weston Scott recently graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Affairs and a minor in Italian. In August of 2007, Weston enrolled in the Arcadia University in Perugia, Italy for one semester. In August of 2008, he enrolled in a yearlong study abroad program at Syracuse Florence, Italy and the Centro Cultura Per Stranieri. While attending two Universities in Florence, Italy, Weston worked as an Intern for ARCI Toscana ( Associazione Ricreativa Culturale Italiana) translating and marketing. In his free time, Weston enjoys playing soccer, rock climbing, snowboarding, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. He plans to continue his passion for the Italian culture through travel and cooking.