Hi Critter Lady,
Welcome from a fellow quilter in Glendale...I also began quilting lessons at JoAnn's - good foundation.. My first classes were from Sandy Goforth and Ruth Gordon. Ruth still teaches quilt & Chat classes at Sun Valley Quilts on Bell Rd near 99th Ave in Sun City. I can, also, recommend Patti Cook (she is a member here on the quilt board also). Their classes are very reasonable and the ladies are so pleasant and helpful. Hope to run into you sometime.
Judy