Gracie Terzian; Doo Wop Music (Location TBA)

Students will learn and practice common doo-wop chord progressions, and play a variety of doo-wop songs. (Beginning)

Herb Ohta, Jr.: Picking Hawaiian Turnarounds (Location TBA)

Learn how to pick a Hawaiian turnaround over a Hawaiian vamp and apply it to a Hawaiian song. (Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate)

Bryan Tolentino: Navigating the Fingerboard (Location TBA)

Learn to navigate the ukulele fingerboard in a logical sense and add musical vocabulary to your chord tool box to speak a better musical language. Must be able to play chords: C, F, A, C7, A7, G7, E7. (Confident Beginner to Intermediate)

Craig Chee: Jumpstart to Theory on the Ukulele (Location TBA)

This workshop is a fantastic way to get a better grasp of how basic music theory relates to the ukulele, why it’s important and how we can practice using this knowledge to become a better player. Learn how to recognize and construct different progressions, how to build chords, and more! (All levels)

Gracie Terzian: Singing While Playing (Location TBA)

Singing while playing a musical instrument can be very challenging. In this workshop Gracie will discuss methods to help keep time with your instrument while still feeling the rhythmic freedom and expression with your voice. (All levels)

Hiroya Tsukamoto: Fingerstyle Ukulele (Location TBA)

Hiroya is a world-class fingerstyle guitarist who will teach you how to apply this technique to the ukulele using the classic song "The Water is Wide" (Confident Beginner to Intermediate)

Sarah Maisel: Intro to Jazz Ukulele (Location TBA)

Ever been intimidated by Jazz? Don’t worry, this class will be a lot of fun as we go through some popular Standards and progressions. We’ll show you how easy (or hard) you can make these tunes. You must be able to play all of your basic chords in order to get the most out of this class. There will be a small amount of theory discussed in the class, but do not “fret” it will be painless! (Confident Beginner to Intermediate)

Bryan Tolentino: Hawaiian Style Strums and Vamps (Location TBA)

Learn to pick and play Hawaiian-style strums, three-chord vamps, and turnarounds commonly used in Hawaiian music. You'll focus on the keys of C, G, F, but may learn to figure out what chords to use in any key as time permits. (Confident Beginner)

Gerald Ross: Take It! Single-Note Soloing the Easy Way (Location TBA)

Have you ever wondered how musicians play just the right notes when its time to take a solo? Do they randomly pick notes out of thin air or is there some logic to the musical lines they play? Have you ever been in a jam session when it's time to take an instrumental solo and everyone looks at you and someone says "take it"? We will learn what to do when that situation arises. It's not as difficult or scary as you may think. You can do it! Single note soloing is easy. We'll learn some tricks and techniques that will have you playing more than just chords. You will be soloing within the first fifteen minutes of the class guaranteed! (Confident Beginner and above)

Craig Chee: Intro to Chord Melody (Location TBA)

Using "Edelweiss", Craig showcases how easy it can be to create beautiful arrangements utilizing chords and single note melodies together. Confident beginners to intermediate players who are interested in pushing this style of playing will have a great time at this workshop. (Confident Beginner to Intermediate)

Gracie Terzian: Bossa Nova for the Ukulele (Location TBA)

Students will learn 3 different bossa nova/samba strumming patterns (each one getting more difficult) and learn how to play with a bossa nova song. Students should have a good sense of rhythm. (Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate)

Melissa Sigh: FREE Beginning Family Uke Workshop (Sigh)

The ukulele is a wonderful family instrument! This workshop will teach songs with two chords to all ages (4 and up). The youngest attendees will enjoy movement activities while big kids and adults continue to strum (slightly) more challenging chords. Each registration is for one family unit (up to four people.) A combination of chairs and floor seating will be available. (All Levels)

Bryan Tolentino: Introduction to Musical Awareness (Location TBA)

Learn to use performance subtleties connecting the analytical to the heart while playing in a group or duo. This will help you develop next-level thinking and thought process to enhance your playing. You'll do a lot of "real time" thinking, choice making and LISTENING while playing 'ukulele. (Confident Beginner to Intermediate)

Herb Ohta, Jr.: Learn to Play "I'll Remember You" (Location TBA)

Learn how to finger pick an arrangement of a song written by one of Hawaii’s greatest composers, Kui Lee. This song was also recorded by Elvis Presley and many other Hawaiian artists. (Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate)

Gracie Terzian: A Whole New Neck (Location TBA)

A Guide to Playing Higher on the Fretboard (Chord Shapes and patterns): Students will analyze chord shapes and patterns and learn how to put them higher on the neck. A whole new world of possibilities in your playing. (Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate: students should be comfortable with barre chord shapes)

Sarah Maisel: Transposing (Location TBA)

What do you mean there is another key besides C?! YES there is – and Sarah will take you through every step, giving you the confidence to be able to transpose ANY STYLE of song! Transposing is a wonderful tool and has a variety of uses. With this skill you can get songs to be in your right vocal range, or even add extra dimension to your songs by changing keys WITHIN the tune! No prior music theory required. (Confident Beginner)

Jon Moody: FREE Uke Care and Stringing (Elderly Instruments) Sponsored by GHS

Jon Moody from GHS Strings of Battle Creek, MI will teach you the basics of ukulele care, the differences in the various ukulele string sets GHS offers, and how to restring your uke. A drawing will be held at the end of class for a GHS strings and fingerboard care kit packages. (All levels)

Herb Ohta, Jr.: Arpeggios (Location TBA)

Learn a variety of arpeggios and how to apply them to songs. (Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate)

Craig Chee: Boot Camp for Beginners (Location TBA)

Let’s take a look at your foundation! The ukulele is a very easy instrument to pick up and start playing, but as you progress, you might run into some walls that can be cured by having a strong foundation. We will take a look at a proper hold, which is very important if your hands are sore after playing), barre chords, Bb and Eb shapes and more. (Beginner to Confident Beginner)

Gerald Ross: Get the Blues in All 12 Keys (Location TBA)

Just because the ukulele has four strings doesn’t mean you have to play them all! Many times, you can say more musically with two or three notes than you can with four. You can add a bluesy/jazzy sound to your playing by using three easy-to-play movable chord shapes, These three-note shapes allow you to play in all 12 keys effortlessly and the chords sound more bluesy and jazzy than their four-note counterparts. Simple Blues progressions will be used to demonstrate this very effective, very hip-sounding style. No music theory needed, no music reading required, no knuckle-busting chord shapes to learn just fun! Any sized uke tuned GCEA will work. (Confident Beginner to Intermediate)

Melissa Sigh: I Know Four Chords, Now What? (Sigh)

We will strum a large variety of simple songs that each teach a new chord or two! This workshop will be designed gently help you progress towards a new world of “beginner” chords beyond C, Am, F and G. Attendees will receive a link to print a large collection of songs with memorable melodies and easy-to-read charts. With the right songs, it will be fun and easy to expand your chord repertoire. (Beginner to Confident Beginner)

Playing Well with Others (MICA)

Listening and finding parts to complement each others playing is the way to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. This interactive workshop, led by Craig Chee and featuring Sarah Maisel, Bryan Tolentino, and Herb Ohta Jr., will have you playing as a group with separate parts for varying levels. (All Levels)