Workshops & Schedules
Workshop Schedules, Tickets, and Concert Info
Diversity-Of-Uke is our theme as we highlight all the different directions this loveable little instrument has been taken. Below is a lineup of our festival workshops and concerts, in the order they take place, with links to buy workshop tickets… Please note that tickets to our two Celebrity Showroom concerts are processed through the Nugget. Click here to buy concert tickets. And don’t forget that there is free music on the festival stage and vendors displaying their wares all day Saturday in between your workshops!
NOTE: There are two suggested workshop tracks. Level 1 is for newer and first year players, level 2 is suggested for intermediate ukesters. Be sure to read the descriptions of each before purchasing. Because we must closely track attendance for each we cannot refund any workshop tickets once purchased, however they are transferable.
Workshop SuperTickets are SOLD OUT. Thanks so much!!!
A limited number of individual workshop tickets are still available below.
Friday, March 19
Workshop WKJD1 Friday 4:30 PM – $12
Track 1
Play Uke by Ear I
Basic intervals and Chord Progressions
Instructor: Jim D’Ville
Jim D’Ville is the author of The Natural Way To Music: An Organic Approach to Understanding & Playing Music and hosts the popular ukulele blog, Play Ukulele By Ear. His most recent project is a play-by-ear instructional DVD. Jim teaches workshops throughout the western states from his home base in Portland, Oregon. He is also a member of the band Caravan Gogh. Jim is doing two levels of his ukulele bu ear course for our festival. This class is suitable for all players who have a basic understanding of the instrument, and beginners who are open to absorbing everything they can as they discover the joys of uke.
Workshop WKMD Friday 4:30 PM – $12 Track 2
Right Hand Techniques
Triplets, “chunking”, tremelos, 3 finger roll
Instructor: Matt Dahlberg
Founder of TheJumpingFlea.net. Matt is a young, energetic, incredible player with much to impart to his students. His Friday workshop will focus on getting your right hand warmed up for the workshops to come, with insight and exercises on various, valuable techniques. Although this workshop is classified as a level 2 class, you are sure to pick up one or more things that will advance your strumming and picking hand’s abilities, no matter your level of playing.
8PM Friday evening
James Hill in Concert
with special guest Michael Powers’ Urban Ukulele Project
Our Friday night Celebrity Showroom event features one of the most innovative souls to have ever touched the ukulele. While a still a teenager, James honed his skills as a key member of the world-renowned Langley ‘Ukulele Ensemble under the direction of Peter Luongo. After touring with them for twelve years, he embarked on a solo career in 2002 and has been “pushing the instrument into uncharted territory” ever since with genre-bending adaptations of everything from “One Note Samba” to the theme from “Super Mario Brothers.” On stage he is energetic and captivating, mixing colorful anecdotes with a versatile repertoire that stretches from Schubert to the Beatles and beyond. He lives in Nova Scotia, but travels the world exposing people everywhere to the joys of the ‘ukulele.
Special guest Michael Powers has taken the ukulele into his own realm of multi-tonic jazz, pop, and classical music. MP is one of the most joyous and energetic live musicians you’ll ever see and his Urban Ukulele Project takes the instrument into a whole new direction.
Saturday, March 20
Workshop WKBJ Saturday 9:45 AM – $12 Track 1
Beginning Hawaiian Ukulele
Instructor: BJ Soriano
BJ Soriano, owner of BJ’s Strum and Scrapbook Studio and an 18-year ‘ukulele instructor for the County of Hawaii Culture & Arts, brings over 30 years of ‘ukulele teaching experience to this year’s uke fest. She is a life-long resident of the Big Island of Hawaii, residing currently in the city of Hilo. She has taught thousands of students how to play the ‘ukulele ranging in ages from ages 6 through 80+ throughout Hawaii and in the past three years, traveled across the Pacific ocean waves to also teach in San Francisco, California. Recently retired in 2009 from government service in Hawaii as a Council Services Assistant II, she continues to teach music privately and for the Connections Public Charter Middle School in Hilo.
Workshop WKUB Saturday 9:45 AM – $12 Track 2Fancy Fingers
Instructor: Ukulele Bartt
Bartt is a popular performer who assembles amazing shows, and, he is a qualified instructor in more ways than one. As L.A. Unified School District teacher of the year, Bartt knows how to run an enjoyable and effective class. His website is overwhelming so I won’t try to describe everything here, but this class will take on the many challenges of navigating the strings with your right hand. You might notice that we have several right hand workshops. This is intentional. Too many times, new players concentrate on learning intricate chords when simple chords plus effective right hand techniques can make for very satisfying sounds. Visit Bartt at Bartt.net.
Workshop WKJH Saturday 11 AM – $15 Both Tracks
James Hill Master Class
James Hill’s Saturday class will take place in the Celebrity Showroom. No matter your level of ukeness, you won’t want to miss this. James is not only an incredible innovative artist, he is also an exceptional instructor. The reviews of his workshops are consistently outstanding. Even if you are brand new to the uke, just come and listen and be inspired.
Noon until ? – Noodle Hut Break Time!
Ukulele Bartt’s Lunchtime Hoot at Trader Dick’s:
Join Ukulele Bartt and friends for a uniquely fun lunchtime break that only Bartt can provide. We’ll take over the Trader Dick’s Stage next to the Noodle Hut stand. Grab some Ramen for a low cost lunch and come on over, or just drop in and listen! For those of you heading to the next workshop at 1:15, you’ll be nourished and refreshed. If you’re taking a break from classes, hang out with Bartt and party until about 2pm.
Workshop WKCS Saturday 1:15 PM – $12 Both TracksIntro to Soloing & Scales
Instructor: Curt Sheller
Curt is a long time musician and clinician and, like your humble host Doug, is a graphic designer when he’s not playing the uke. There’s far too much to list here, I really don’t know where to start. Please visit his website, curtsheller.com. You’ll have a pleasant time wading through the enjoyable mass of ukulele related stuff.
Workshop WKJD2 Saturday 2:30 PM – $12 Track 1Play Uke by Ear II
Instructor: Jim D’Ville
Dominant seven and diatonic chord progressions are added to the “Play Uke by Ear” method. This is part two of Jim’s class. It is suitable for both level 2 players and level 1 players who took his “Play Uke by Ear I” class on Friday.
I also strongly encourage you to visit Jim’s blog, playukulelebyear.blogspot.com/and sign up for his mailing list.
Workshop WKJS1 Saturday 2:30 PM – $12 Track 2
Blues Ukulele
Instructor: Jeffrey Sipress
Our most popular instructor from Tahoe Area Uke Fest 1. Jeffrey is a ten year disciple of the extraordinary Bob Brozman and brings much of what he learned to his workshops. His Blues workshop was overflowing with a waiting list, and he’s added his unique, Intro to Fingerstyle class to this year’s fest.
Workshop WKJS2 Saturday 5:00 PM – $12 Track 1
Fingerstyle Ukulele
Instructor: Jeffrey Sipress
Shift your playing into high speed by developing your fingerstyle techniques. This workshop for the right hand is open to all.
Workshop WKAL Saturday 5:00 PM – $12 Track 2Ali Lexa, Improvisational Jazz
Instructors: Ali Lexa with Dominator
Ali Lexa is known for his popular monthly “ukulele spotlight” radio program out of KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, and the annual “So Cal Ukulele Showcase” concert he puts on. He is also an accomplished Jazz and Blues player. And has been a featured artist at the New York Ukulele Festival, the Windy City Ukulele festival in Chicago, and has performed at several of the Southern California Ukulele Festivals in Cerritos.
He is one of the few artists that’s performing ’straight-ahead’ jazz and contemporary blues on the ukulele these days. He also plays ukulele, steel guitar and percussion in the jazz/lounge/exotica group “Lexotica”. Info about the radio program “Ukulele Spotlight”, including previous episodes, podcasts, and instructional materials for ukulele can be found at www.ukespot.com
8PM Saturday evening
Jake Shimabukuro in Concert
Our Saturday night concert features one of the world’s most exciting players and composers, Jake Shimabukuro. Jake rose to notoriety from his YouTube video of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and soon thereafter experienced stardom on a level beyond anyone who had ever played the instrument, even opening concerts for Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band on stadium stages for audiences of tens of thousands. Pretty cool for a 4 stringed, two octave instrument! Don’t miss Jake Shimabukuro in the Celebrity Showroom!
Sunday, March 21
WKDR Sunday 10 AM – $12 Both Tracks
PSP (Pick-Strum-Pinch) and Intro to the Gizmo
The Beatles – If I Fell
Instructor: Doug Reynolds
Founder of the Tahoe Area Uke Fest. Inventor of the PSP, (Pick-Strum-Pinch) teaching method that gets beginners hearing complete songs eminating from their fingers. Inventor of the Ukulele Chord Theory Tutor Gizmo and Guitar Chord Theory Tutor Gizmo. Also a rabid, life-long Beatles fan. You will learn to simultaneously play melody, harmony, and background chords on a well known Beatles tune in a simplified manner reminiscent of Ohta-San. There will also be an introduction to, and Q&A session on, the Chord Theory Gizmo.
