Upcoming Events
Mighty Uke Day
We always love visiting our friends in the Mid-West and Mighty Uke Day is one of our favorite events! Please join us for a really fun time. There will be workshops, jams, performances, and more! Please register today to ensure you can join us and our friends, Cynthia Lin, Abe Lagrimas Jr., The Ukulele Kings, and more.
PMI ‘Ukulele Workshops
Get ready to strum and sing with Pacific Music Institute’s ʻukulele program led by local ʻukulele power couple– Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel! Craig and Sarah are bringing their knowledge of over two decades of performing and teaching the ʻukulele around the world. Expect to have a lot of fun while learning to get the most out of this tiny instrument!
The program is designed for students of all levels who want to learn and improve their ʻukulele skills in a fun and supportive environment. Sign up for PMI’s summer ʻukulele program today!
What is included in the 5-day workshop? You’ll learn:
Access to a pre-event ‘ukulele crash course! Craig and Sarah will provide an online video that will get students caught up on the basics of the ʻukulele before they meet in person. Craig and Sarah will review the basics in the beginning of Day 1 of the workshops.
Classes will be recorded so students can reference lessons after the sessions are finished. This is great for review and being able to hear how certain techniques were played.
The workshops will focus on showcasing different ways of playing the wonderful ʻukulele. From picking fills and solos, basic to advanced strumming, and even learning about its percussive mastery, students will be able to mix and match different techniques of playing the ‘ukulele to create their own sound.
Enhance your summer music experience with ‘Ukulele Workshop!
‘Ukulele Workshop runs from 1:30pm-3:00pm or 3:15pm-4:45pm.
Adults interested in auditing the ʻUkulele Workshop with Craig and Sarah may inquire with Jeremy at Jeremy@hiyouthsympony.org.
Livestream Workshop - Duets
PACKETS AVAILABLE APRIL 20, 2024
Q&A 8:45am Hawaii Time (10:45am Pacific)
Workshop Starts 9am Hawaii Time (NOON Pacific)
Playing your ukulele is a lot of fun, but it can be even more fun when playing with your friends! This workshop will discuss and showcase arranging for two or more ukulele. We will discuss chord substitutions, fills, and more to get your duo sounding amazing!
Make sure you are subscribed to our youtube channel to ensure that you can join us in the Youtube Live Chat during the stream!
Please visit our Livestreams tab to purchase your packet once they are available (April 18)
THIS WILL BE RECORDED AND AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE VIEWING
Double Workshop Sponsored by The Twin Cities Ukulele Club
Join us March 23 at 1PM CENTRAL TIME for a fun Double Workshop, sponsored by The Twin Cities Ukulele Club. You can join via ZOOM from your home, or if you live near the Kenworth Rec Center (in Minnesota) you can meet up with friends in person to learn. The workshops are being livestreamed from Honolulu, HI.
Fee: $45 - 10% of proceeds will go to the nonprofit Four Strings at a Time.
To pre-register, or learn more about the workshops being taught, click on the button below:
Once you have paid for your registration, you will immediately be e-mailed the Zoom link as well as a link to all of your materials including:
PDFs for each class
Downloadable Backing Tracks (Doo-Wop Till you Drop Class)
Hi-Resolution Recordings of both workshops (once they are finished)
Extra materials (Boot Camp 101, after the workshop has finished)
Craig & Sarah's Ukulele Retreat Hawaii
We are excited to announce our 2024 Ukulele Retreat Hawaii! This is our third annual event and we are hosting it at the beautiful Kahala Hotel and Resort. Right on the outskirts of Honolulu and located on a beautiful secluded beach, we know this location will inspire you and give you a deeper appreciation of this place we call home. The Retreat will officially start the evening of March 17th and have full day programing the 18-20th, with morning goodbyes on the 21st. There will be an optional full day of programming offered on the 21st, for those that wish to extend their stay.
If you would like to join us or want to learn more about our retreat, please visit our Retreat Website!
Livestream Workshop - Fingerstyle with Neal Chin
PACKETS AVAILABLE MARCH 14, 2024
Q&A 8:45am Hawaii Time (10:45am Pacific)
Workshop Starts 9am Hawaii Time (NOON Pacific)
We are excited to be hosting our good friend, Neal Chin, for our next livestream workshop! He is going to take us through some great fingerstyle techniques, utilizing etudes to help us work on picking patterns and single note picking. This is a great workshop for those who are wanting to do more picking. All skill levels are welcome!
Make sure you are subscribed to our youtube channel to ensure that you can join us in the Youtube Live Chat during the stream!
Please visit our Livestreams tab to purchase your packet once they are available (March 14).
THIS WILL BE RECORDED AND AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE VIEWING
Livestream - FREE Holiday Jam
PACKETS AVAILABLE DEC 5
Q&A 8:45am Hawaii Time (10:45am Pacific)
Jam Starts 9am Hawaii Time (11AM Pacific)
We are excited to host a FREE Holiday Jam! We’ll have some fun playing songs and getting into the holiday spirit. Free Packets will be available to download by December 5. There might even be some special guests joining us. We will also have a special Holiday Chord Melody Packet available for purchase, for those that want even more music & learning!
Holiday Packet will include:
Video Lesson of a Holiday Classic and creating a chord melody (song TBD)
Backing Tracks of various speeds for practice
Livestream Workshop - Here Comes Santa Claus
PACKEST AVAILABLE NOV 15
Q&A 8:45am Hawaii Time (10:45am Pacific)
Workshop Starts 9am Hawaii Time (11AM Pacific)
Our upcoming Livestream is going to go over the song “Here Comes Santa Claus”. We will take this tune and add in chordal movement and texture. It’s going to be a really fun way to get this Holiday Classic sound snazzy!
We will have our Standard Packet ($10) and our Scholar Packet ($25) available on November 15. All materials are shown on screen, however, purchasing a Standard Packet allows us to keep these livestreams free. If you purchase a Scholar Packet, this will allow us to give out FREE packets to those who can not afford them at this time.
The Scholar Packet will include:
The Standard Packet
Video Lesson of jazzing up “Here Comes Santa Claus”
Backing Tracks of various speeds for practice
Virtual Ukulele Round Table
RSVP for the event, receive FREE sample ukulele lessons, & ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN a 12-month subscription to the ArtistWorks course of your choice: https://hubs.la/Q024w6Hp0
Join us on Tuesday, October 17 at 3:00 pm PT for a live stream event featuring ArtistWorks ukulele masters Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel with special guests Brittni Paiva and Neal Chin! Together, these 4 virtuoso uke players will discuss all things music, share exclusive performances, and answer real-time viewer questions. 🌺🏝️🎶
This event is hosted by ArtistWorks, the online platform for Craig & Sarah’s Online Ukulele Lessons.
Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival
Join us in sunny L.A. for the 7th annual celebration of the little 4-stringed wonder that has been captivating hearts and bringing musical joy into people’s lives for over 100 years! The Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival is for attendees ages 2-92, total beginners through experienced ukulele players, with lots of opportunities to jump in and be a part of the fun. The Festival be be September 22-23, 2023. Performers will include Abe Lagrimas Jr., Kalei Gamiao, Corey Fujimoto, Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Lil Rev, Ukulollo, Ukulenny, Peter Luongo, and more!
Livestream Workshop - Transposing
Craig and I love hosting our monthly Livestream Workshops! These are great opportunities to learn and have fun with your instrument! These livestreams are FREE and all workshop material are shown on screen. However, if you would like to support our livestreams, please feel free to purchase a packet from our website.
This month’s livestream theme will be Transposing! We’ll play in multiple keys, giving you the opportunity to work on an incredibly useful skill. We’ll also discuss modulation, changing keys within a song, and give you some ideas you can apply to songs you already know and love. There will be LOTS of playing in this one and it’s sure to be a great time you won’t want to miss!
As always, we start at 8:45AM with a Q & A and then the workshop begins at 9AM running until around 10:00/10:30AM.
This will be recorded for future reference and Packets will be available by August 23, 2023.
Island Bazaar Concert 2
To kick off our arrival to Southern California, we will doing two concerts with Bryan Tolentino & Herb Ohta Jr at Island Bazaar! The 2nd show is SOLD OUT, but you can still get tickets to the 1st concert. Make sure to book your spot ASAP as there are only a handful left! It will be a really fun show you won’t want to miss.
Island Bazaar Concert 1
To kick off our arrival to Southern California, we will doing two concerts with Bryan Tolentino & Herb Ohta Jr at Island Bazaar! The 2nd show is SOLD OUT, but you can still get tickets to the 1st concert. Make sure to book your spot ASAP as there are only a handful left! It will be a really fun show you won’t want to miss.
Livestream Workshop - Muting & Scratching
Craig and I love hosting our monthly Livestream Workshops! These are great opportunities to learn and have fun with your instrument! These livestreams are FREE and all workshop material are shown on screen. However, if you would like to support our livestreams, please feel free to purchase a packet from our website.
This month’s livestream theme will be Muting & Scratching. This technique is one that is a game changer for many players and will allow you to create syncopated rhythms with your fretting hand. Craig will walk through a variety of ways of practicing these new skill sets during the workshop.
As always, we start at 8:45AM with a Q & A and then the workshop begins at 9AM running until around 10:00/10:30AM.
This will be recorded for future reference and Packets will be available by July 19, 2023.
Ukulele Time in Nashville
Jake Shimabukuro’s ‘Ukulele Time In Nashville is an event for players and music-lovers of all ages, levels, interests, and tastes! Whether you are a master player, a beginner, or just an enthusiastic fan, our four-day programs offer activities and workshops for you. Our environments are non-competitive and are strictly about immersing oneself in the joys of music and our lovely surroundings! Teachers & Performers include Jake Shimabukuro, Bryan Tolentino, Jeff Peterson, Bruch Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta Jr., Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, and Sam Bush. This event will take place June 26 - 29, 2023.
Your registration for ‘Ukulele Time In Nashville includes:
4 days and nights of workshops and masterclasses led by Jake, Bryan, Herb, Craig, Sarah, Jeff, and Bruce
Tickets to see Jake Shimabukuro at the Country Music Hall of Fame!
Concerts by Jake & Friends every evening
All lunches and dinners
Open mics every night
Limited edition, signed event poster by Jake
A coffee gift from Acoustic Coffee
A mentor (one-on-one) session with our faculty
Craig & Sarah's Backyard Concert
We love getting the opportunity to share amazing artists with you! We are in Season 2 of our Backyard Concert Series, and if you’d like to learn more about how to support our series, please visit our website.
Up next we have Kris Fuchigami for Concert #7! The concert will premiere May 28, 2023 at 9AM on our YouTube Channel. Please subscribe to our channel so you can be a part of the Live Chat and win free goodies from our sponsors!
Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kris Fuchigami started his ukulele journey at the age of 13. Two years later Kris won the grand prize at the Hamakua Music Scholarship Competition on the Big Island where he competed against classical pianists, singers, drummers, and many other genres of musicians. Kris went on to headline, and perform at many ukulele festivals and has gained recognition throughout the world.
In 2016 he was nominated for the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Award in Hawaii for the Instrumental Composition of the Year category with his original composition of Moemoea, which he was inspired to write during a performing tour in Tahiti. In 2018, he was again nominated for the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for the Ukulele Album of the Year Category with his album entitled "More Than This." In both 2019 & 2021, Kris was awarded the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for "Instrumental Composition of the Year!"
Livestream Workshop
Craig and I love hosting our monthly Livestream Workshops! These are great opportunities to learn and have fun with your instrument! These livestreams are FREE and all workshop material are shown on screen. However, if you would like to support our livestreams, please feel free to purchase a packet from our website.
This month’s livestream theme will be Simplifying Chords! We’ll go through and play a variety of songs in a variety of keys to discuss chord substitutions to make things a bit easier to play. You’ll be surprised with how, with just a TINY bit of theory, you can leave open strings, take away fingers, just to make it through a jam more successfully. This is a great class for all level of player. Break out of the Key of C comfort zone and enjoy playing even more!
As always, we start at 8:45AM with a Q & A and then the workshop begins at 9AM running until around 10:00/10:30AM.
Backyard Concert Season 2 Concert #4 - Brittni Paiva
Join us February 19, 2023 at 9AM HAWAII TIME for the Premiere of Brittni Paiva’s Concert! We are incredibly excited to have her joining us and can’t wait to share her music with everyone.
Brittni Paiva is Hawaii's preeminent, award-winning female ukulele artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Her modern approach to the traditional Hawaiian instrument has gained her a legion of fans. Her ability to bring the ukulele to the forefront of many genres breaks down barriers and changes perceptions of what is possible from this humble instrument. Brittni is also credited with being one of the pioneers of combining ukulele music and the loop pedal, creating beautiful, layered arrangements resulting in her being amongst the most watched ukulele artists on YouTube.
Finger Style Ukulele with Aaron Keim
We are excited to have our friend, Aaron Keim, joining us in studio for a great workshop on Finger Style Ukulele. There will be something for all level of player, and we hope you can join us. Aaron is an inspiration, not only with his teaching and performing, but also his instrument building. You won’t want to miss this workshop, but IF you do, it will be recorded for future viewing!
All materials will be shown on screen, however, if you wish to support our Livestreams, please consider purchasing a packet when they become available, February 18, 2023. Don’t forget, we always start with our Q & A/Sound Check at 8:45AM HAWAII TIME. The workshop will begin at 9AM HAWAII TIME.
Make sure you are subscribed to our Youtube Channel so you can join us in the Live Chat!
Backyard Concert Season 2 Concert #3 - Corey Fujimoto & Kalei Gamiao
Join us January 22, 2023 at 9AM HAWAII TIME for the Premiere of Corey Fujimoto & Kalei Gamiao’s concert. This is an incredible show and we are very fortunate to have these artists joining us.
In 2013, Corey Fujimoto recorded his debut album, Fables. He subsequently began touring, performing in Hawai'i, Taiwan, Japan, and China. He is well known for his ability to blend styles, taking from a wide variety of musical genres. One of his biggest inspirations is guitar virtuoso,Tommy Emmanuel. Corey has been an important figure at The Ukulele Site for over 10 years and can be seen performing during their podcasts. He is also one of the founders of aNueNue USA.
Kalei Gamiao has mesmerized audiences all over the world with his virtuosic playing. He has toured all over the globe including Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and the US. He also joined us for Season 1 of our concert series. In 2020, Kalei began a new journey with the 'ukulele, forming aNueNue USA. His passion for all things 'ukulele, including manufacturing instrument, has given him yet another way to share the joy of the 'ukulele with others.
Livestream Workshop - Goals & Practice
It’s a brand new year and it’s time to reflect on past goals and create new ones for 2023! We will take some time in this workshop to discuss creating goals, how to stick with them, and creating a practice routine. This is a great workshop for all level of player, so please join us for this fun event.
All materials will be shown on screen, however, if you wish to support our Livestreams, please consider purchasing a packet when they become available, January 18, 2023.
Make sure you are subscribed to our Youtube Channel so you can join us in the Live Chat!
Livestream - Song Arranging with Herb Ohta Jr.
Herb Ohta Jr. will be giving a Master Class on song arranging, utilizing his song, "Rainy Days". This incredible opportunity gives you a chance to learn the steps he takes when arranging a song. It will start with a basic arrangement and build, eventually getting to the final arrangement. We recommend this for Confident Beginners to Advanced players, as there will be something for everyone.
Packets will be available August 3.
To join us, please go to our Live Stream Link (button below) at 8:45AM HAWAII TIME on June 25, 2022. This is the start of our Q & A before the workshop begins at 9AM HAWAII TIME.