ʻUkulele workshop
Overview
Get ready to strum and sing with our summer 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!
Our 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 our summer ʻukulele program today!
What is included in the 5-day workshop?
- 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!
Play ‘ukulele with friends before or after your weekday string quartet coachings. Add on ‘Ukulele Workshop runs from 1:30pm-3:00pm or 3:15pm-4:45pm.
About Craig & Sarah
Even though Craig Chee was born and raised on O‘ahu, he matured as an ‘ukulele player and musician on the continent. He has had the honor of working under Jake Shimabukuro and Troy Fernandez, and has become a world renowned teacher and performer. Craig infuses his energetic and just plain “fun” style into many genres of music and is known for his collaborations at different music events.
Sarah Maisel was born and raised in Alabama and found herself working in San Diego, CA as the Lead Female Draper for the La Jolla Playhouse and the University of California San Diego. Studying under Frank Leong, Sarah dove into the jazz stylings of golden age Hawai‘i songs and arrangements inspired by ‘ukulele legends like Lyle Ritz, Benny Chong and Byron Yasui. Sarah found a passion for teaching and performing with the ‘ukulele and was quickly featured at many ‘ukulele festivals around the world.
Craig and Sarah discovered a similar passion and work ethic and in 2015, married. They have made an incredible splash in the ‘ukulele scene with their complementing styles and vocal harmonies. Craig and Sarah have been featured at ‘Ukulele Festivals and events all over the world including Cairns and the Sunshine Coast (Australia), Cheltenham and Huddersfield (United Kingdom), Vancouver (Canada), Tokyo (Japan), Berlin (Germany), Brussels (Belgium), Honolulu (HI), and all over the continental US.
Their love of teaching has blossomed into a successful Online ‘Ukulele School with Artistworks in 2016, and in 2023, they set forward on a new venture, founding the nonprofit Four Strings at a Time. Their mission of engaging, educating, and enriching all ages around the world through music and the ‘ukulele has always been at the forefront of everything they do.
July 8-13, 2024
At McKinley High School
*Out-of-state students, please book travel outside of July 8-13, 2023 for full participation.
Schedule:
1:30pm-3:00pm
3:15pm-4:45pm
'Ukulele Workshop
-
Individualized Instruction
-
Fun and Safe Learning Environment
Registrations due May 31, 2024
Eligibility Requirements
PMI ʻUkulele Workshop is open to students entering 6-12th grade. Graduating high school seniors are also welcome.
How would you describe your skill level?
Beginner – Little to no experience playing the ʻukulele.
Intermediate – Can tune your own ʻukulele. Understands basic chords and strumming patterns. Can pick a simple melody.
Highlights
At PMI 2021, instructors Jake Shimabukuro and Dean Taba surprised students with an impromptu performance of Misty.
2023 ‘Ukulele Workshop director Kalaʻe Camarillo’s album, “Feel at Home,” was named the Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year at the 2020 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaiian Grammy’s)!
Out of high school?
Adults interested in auditing the ʻUkulele Workshop with Craig and Sarah may inquire with Jeremy at Jeremy@hiyouthsympony.org.