Ukulele Teachers and Schools

Strings and accessories will be available for sale.

More information available on company's web site.

Michelle has shared the stage with Na Hoku Award winners and Dancing Cat recording artists Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr. and Keoki Kahumoku. She has also appeared with her personal ukulele heroes, Ukulele Dick, Oliver Brown, Jumpin' Jim Beloff, Janet Klein, Peggy Reza (Auntie Uke) and Petty & Booka from Tokyo. In August 2003, Michelle was invited to teach a workshop and perform  at the 2003 Ukulele Hall Fame, Providence Rhode Island.

More information available on listing's web site.

Ever since then, he has been polishing his skills on the famous ‘Dancing Flea.' Stuart is founder of Introspective Designs Consulting in Ft. Collins. He is one of the finest ukulele players in the state.

Stuart's specialty is traditional and hapa haole Hawaiian music. Stuart also teachs music theory, improvising, and performance (strumming, singing).

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Here is a great ukulele lesson on the Honolulu Advertiser commemorative IZ page by Jody Kamisato of 'Ukulele Hale (808-258-7237)

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In 1964, when he heard a hit song, "Sushi", by master ukulele virtuoso Herb "Ohta-San" Ohta, he sought him out and became an avid student. Roy wore out the frets of his ukulele, practicing eight to 10 hours a day. At the age of 16 he set out to become the best ukulele player in the world. Learning from Ohta-San opened up a whole new world for him. Soon Ohta San asked him to teach his classes while he went on tour in Japan. Roy immediately discovered that his true calling was not in performing but in teaching. When Ohta San encouraged his young protege to venture out on his own, he didn't follow in Ohta San's footsteps as a performing artist. Instead, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to teaching. Roy taught for Ohta-San and Kamaka Ukulele until he opened his first of four teaching studios, Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, in 1974.

Links:

• The Hawaiian Music Directory - link
• The 37th Annual Ukulele Festival, Kapiolani Park Bandstand (Waikiki), Sunday, July 22, 2007, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

  Since 1971, Roy Sakuma and his sponsors have been keeping the ukulele alive and well by presenting the Annual Ukulele Festival.

  Presented every July at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, it is by far the largest of it's kind in the world, attracting an audience of thousands to a free two-hour concert that showcases the finest ukulele players, along with national celebrities, Hawaii's top entertainers, and an ukulele orchestra of more than 800 students, mostly children.

  In 2004, Roy and Kathy Sakuma established Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a charitable non-profit organization.

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The reason why we chose Ukulele Hale as our name is to reflect the spirit of our studio. Ukulele is a Hawaiian word that translates to “jumping flea” (that doesn’t mean we actually have fleas jumping around in the studio…) Hale is also a Hawaiian word that mean’s “house” (although we’re in a building, we like to have the same comfort and relaxation you would find at home.) Here you would experience the enjoyment and fun of learning the ukulele in a personable, positive and creative environment from instructors who are passionate about both the ukulele as well the student. Ukulele Hale would like to welcome you into our ohana. Let’s have fun and play the ukulele!!!

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As we begin our 50th year in 2007, enrollment in Old Town School tuition programs averages close to 6,000 students per week, 2,700 of them children. The Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park facilities hold hundreds of classes and workshops in music, dance and art for adults, children and teens seven days per week, 48 weeks per year. Early childhood and middle school music programs thrive in three suburban branches as well as in several community outreach programs throughout the city. The School presents performances by internationally known touring artists, the best of Chicago's local artists and its staff and students virtually every weekend. Most Wednesday nights feature free concerts through AfroFolk Live and La Peña, popular and long established Community Programs. Some 85,000 come to these concerts and attend the Chicago Folk & Roots festival in nearby Welles Park annually.

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In the United States folk schools developed during the Great Depression. These schools not only helped folks to develop skills and meaningful work, but served as a means of documenting and preserving traditional culture.

The Blue Stone Folk School follows this tradition of teaching and preserving traditional arts and culture in Noblesville, Indiana. Noblesville, like many midwestern communities, long served as a focus of traditional cultural activity. With the rapid expansion of Indianapolis and Hamilton County and rapid development the traditions of the region are threatened.

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Ukulele luthier Geoff Davis of Hoosier Maid Ukuleles a ukulele building class.

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Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele Lessons with Rochester's Kimo Knox

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Our goal, where it is a book, CD, DVD or web resources, is to "raise the bar" in quality of material offered to musicians across the globe. Each topic is covered from A to Z.

As a musician (guitar, bass and ukulele) I have over 40 years playing experience in a variety of styles and s settings, most notably jazz.

As a private music teacher and educator Curt maintains a teaching schedule avergaing between 40 and 60 private students a week.

Click here for a list available guitar, ukulele and music workshops and clinics.

As an educator Curt presents ukulele workshops and clinics at various ukulele festivals through the year.

More information available on listing's web site.

So how does a kid from Canada become what the Honolulu Star-Bulletin calls a “rare peer” of Hawaii’s premier `ukulelists? Nearly three thousand miles east of Honolulu is James' hometown of Langley, British Columbia, where `ukulele instruction has been mandatory in many schools since the late 1970s and where James was introduced to the `ukulele at the age of nine. To his fourth grade classmates, the `ukulele was a means to an end, a way for them to dip their toes into the vast ocean of music. For James, the uke was a sea of possibilities unto itself and inside its tiny wooden shell he saw his life in music. He was hooked. During his teenage years he honed his skills as a key member of the renowned Langley Ukulele Ensemble under the direction of Peter Luongo. Luongo, an `ukulele educator for over 25 years calls James “unquestionably Canada's finest `ukulele player.”

After touring for twelve years with the Langley Ukulele Ensemble, James embarked on a solo career in 2002 with the release of Playing it like it isn't..., a “beautiful, humorous and virtuosic” debut that saw him “reaching a whole new level” (David Kidney, Green Man Review). His sophomore release, On the Other Hand, would follow in 2003, confirming his place as “one of the world’s top composers for the instrument” (Rafe Mair, 600AM Vancouver).

"He's got it all!" says Grammy-winning Hawaiian recording artist Daniel Ho, referring to James' "pristine technique" and "inspired" compositions. In performance, James is energetic and captivating, mixing colourful anecdotes with a versatile repertoire that stretches from Schubert to the Beatles and beyond. He is heard frequently on CBC and NPR National radio, has made TV appearances on The Tony Danza Show, MTV Select, Urban Rush and Studio 4 with Fanny Keifer, and has shared billing with the world's foremost `ukulele players including Herb Ohta (Ohta-San), John King, Lyle Ritz and Benny Chong.

The `ukulele has long been an international affair. An instrument of Hawaiian fame and Portuguese ancestry with a strong following in Japan, Europe and the United States, it’s somehow fitting that the uke should find a champion in a young man from Canada. Jim Beloff, author of The Ukulele: A Visual History, calls James’ work “a glimpse into the future of the `ukulele” - take a listen and you’ll understand why. It’s `ukulele... seriously.

Quotes

“Honestly, this is the freshest most exciting playing that I've heard since Troy Fernandez.” - Derek Shimizu, GString Ukulele Co

“I remember the first time I heard Jimi Hendrix... He did things with an electric guitar that I hadn't imagined, hadn't thought possible. James Hill does that with the ukulele.” - David Kidney, The Green Man Review

(Video) James Playing - Down on the Rideau Canal

Click on image to play - More available on James's site.

(Video) James Playing - Skipping Stone

Click on image to play - More available on James's site.

The TAB. MIDI and Powertab files for Skipping Stone are available at Dominators's Ukulele Tabs

A few of the available James Hill CDs.

A Flying Leap - Buy It!!!

On The Other Hand - Buy It!!!

Playing it like it isn't... - Buy It!!!

Additional Video Links

James Hill YouTube Search

• Super Mario -

  Captured at California Ukulele Festival in Cerritos a few years back. The greatest Mario performance ever!!!!

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