Workshop - 'Ukulele Group Lessons - Fall Session

Ukulele Group Lessons
    & Kanikapila Sessions


Date: Our Next Session February 17, 2026
     Then continues on the 3rd Tuesday of each month

Time: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Eastern Time

Location: Hybrid Presentation -- Your Choice!
   Attend In-Person in Fuquay Varina, NC
   OR Attend Online via Zoom

Pre-Requisite: None! Open to the Public.
    You only need a 'ukulele.  

Cost:
  * No Charge!
  * Voluntary Contributions are greatly appreciated.
  * Payment is Optional: offer only if, and what you think is fair.

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All Levels are Welcome!

Learning to Play is Fun & Easy

The 'Ukulele is Fun & Easy to Learn!

Whether you are brand new to music or have been playing the 'ukulele for a while, the 'ukulele group lessons will have something for everyone. This will be a laid-back, casual series of lessons. The goal is to have fun with it.

Kanikapila is a Hawaiian tradition for families and/or friends to get together, play together, and enjoy no-stress music making.

We will start with the basics. We will move into strumming patterns, common chords, and learn to play some great Hawaiian music and maybe even some popular "non-Hawaiian" songs. If there is a song you want to learn to play, let me know and I'll try to include it in the mix.

Plus, we will go beyond strumming and into fingerstyle playing as well! Each month will be a blend of learn a little and play a lot.  We'll move at a pace so you can absorb it all.

Ukulele Group 2026 Session Dates

Learn with the Benefit of Group Energy

One Tuesday evening each month, we will meet for about 60-90 minutes. If you can join with me in the studio here in Fuquay-Varina, NC that would be great.  If not, you can join the group online via Zoom.  I try to schedule other classes on the weekend leading up to the third Tuesday, so you can be in town for a workshop and stay for Kanikapila!

Group lessons have some added benefits for everyone. You get to hear the questions and answers you may not have thought to ask. You won't feel like you are being put on the spot.  You get the benefit of learning with others at the same time, and we recognize the common stumbling blocks to learning to play the 'uke.  So as one person succeeds, we all learn something.  

Every month, we will learn a few things. We will play together, sing together in a closed group (you won't be recorded!), and we'll have a little kanikapila!  We'll laugh and grow and succeed together.  

What Do I Need?

  • A 'Ukulele
    It can be of any quality... no need to get an expensive 'uke unless you know already you want to up your game.

    It can be of any the common sizes -- Soprano, Concert, or Tenor.  I don't recommend you buy a Baritone 'Ukulele yet because the tuning is different than a standard 'uke.  It's a good idea to feel the different size instruments to find the best fit and best sound for you.  Your 'uke can be "High-G" or "Low-G" - don't worry if you aren't sure what that means.

    If you would like some objective guidance or suggestions for good, better, and professional-quality brands to consider. Just ask. I would be happy to help.  If you have a music store near you (including Guitar Center, Sam Ash Music, Bounty Music, Sweetwater, or many of the local music stores), they will probably have a decent selection of instruments for you to try.

  • A Tuner
    Clip-on tuners attach to the headstock of the 'ukulele and work well. Fender, SuperSnark, or Ohana are common brands. You can find them on Amazon, Sweetwater.com, or Zzounds.com, as well as almost any music store.

    Alternatively, there are free and paid Apps available for your phone or tablet that can help tune your instrument. My personal favorite is TE Tuner.  If needed, I can also show you how to tune your 'uke.

  • A Computer and Webcam
    If you want to join us online, you will need your computer and webcam.

    A separate USB Webcam usually has a better microphone than the built-in laptop's webcam and microphone.

    Carnegie Hall will likely have to wait a bit before we will grace the main concert hall with our full stage show LOL!

Optional Stuff

  • A Music Stand (Optional)
    Either a stand alone or table-top stand is a good option depending on whether you want to sit at a table with your computer or have more mobility. One brand I have is "On Stage Stands".  Again, you can most likely find these at Amazon, Sweetwater.com, Zzounds.com, Guitar Center, Sam Ash Music, or just about any local music shop.

    If you prefer to wait, this isn't mandatory, but helpful if you decide you want to keep learning.

  • A 3-Ring Binder (Optional)
    Each month, I will send out by e-mail a song or two or three, and maybe some other helpful handouts. A 3-ring binder and sheet protectors was my go-to way to keep it all organized for a very long time.

  • Sheet Music App (Optional)
    If you really want to get "spiffy", you could get an app for your iPad or iPhone (I am sure there is a comparable Android option) that will let you load all the sheet music into your iPad and view the songs on that rather than lugging around a big binder.  I personally use OnSong.  ForeScore and Songbook Pro are other popular options.

The "Catch" of Using Zoom

Zoom is a great tool for connecting over long distances. Along with the benefits, there is a catch when it comes to playing music together. The technical term is "latency", which means there is a delay as the signal comes from me to your computer and back to mine. It is just enough to make playing together not feasible.

So, here's how we will have to adapt.

1) Anyone able to join me here in NC will obviously be able to play together with me in the studio. I schedule the 'Ukulele Classes on Tuesday evenings so anyone attending a weekend class can stay an extra couple of extra days and join the 'Uke Group live in-studio with me.

2) When we practice playing something, one video stream will be the "lead" and everyone else will have to mute to avoid conflicts with timing caused by the latency (the delay) effect.  In the beginning, I will be the "lead" so you can mute your microphone and play along with the audio coming through your speakers.

3) If there are two or more people attending from the same general area, and you would want to meet up together in one space, your location will have the benefit of playing together (but your microphone muted).

As your local group gains confidence and feels comfortable enough, each satellite location can take turns playing as the "lead" on a song for the whole class to follow along.

In the event you want to host a "satellite classroom", talk to me. I have an option for a wide-view webcam and conference room style microphone/speaker so everyone in one location can be visible (who wants to be), heard, and hear.

Have a Group In Your Area?

Do you have two or more people nearby who might want to participate together?  I have a way to 

If there are two or more people attending from the same general area, and you would want to meet up together in one space, your location will have the benefit of playing together.

As your local group gains confidence and feels comfortable enough, each satellite location can take turns playing as the "lead" on a song for the whole class to follow along.

In the event you want more details about hosting a "satellite classroom", talk to me. I have an option for a wide-view webcam and conference room style microphone/speaker so everyone in one location can hear, be visible (who wants to be), and be heard.

Full Disclosure ;-)

I don't want create the illusion of being something I am not. So, I am not a professional musician, nor am I a professional music teacher. That said, music has been a big part of my life since elementary school. I played trumpet and studied music all through elementary school through high school and a few years after. 

For the past 20 years or so, I play an assortment of wooden flutes (Native American Style Flute, Xiao - a Chinese long flute, side-blown flutes, and Anasazi/Pueblo end-blown flutes). I have had the privilege of studying one-on-one for several years with one of my favorite recording artists in that genre.  

The 'ukulele has been my favorite for the past 15 years or so. I have played with a Chicago-based 'Ukulele Group for many years, and I had private lessons with amazing Hawaiian musicians - including Grammy Award and Na Hoku Award winning artists. While I would rate myself an intermediate level player, I do have a lot to offer.

Over the years, I have found what worked well for me in terms of learning styles in music. I also learned what wasn't effective. My goal is to teach in an easy way, that creates a good structure to learn within. I believe that if you really want to learn an instrument, you need certain practices to develop skills, you need to get an understanding of music, and you need to have fun playing and expressing through a variety of songs and styles.

This will be an experiment as I venture for the first time into teaching others to play.

You Choose What (or if) to Pay

Because this is an experiment, I don't want to set a specific amount to charge. If you can contribute to help offset some of the time and expense that goes into making this available to you, I would be grateful.

Using the "Click to Register" link below, you can make a contribution in any amount for each monthly session. 

If you receive value, please consider supporting the project with even a small amount. If people find value, I will keep making these sessions available so we all grow together.


By the way... if enough of us enjoy participating in this group, two things can happen.  First, we could talk about adding another session per month.  Secondly, there is a way to overcome the "webinar delay" so we can actually all play in sync with each other - even through the internet and scattered across the planet!  There is a small cost involved with making this happen, so that is not the place to start.  Let's play together with Zoom for a while and go from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is for anyone who would like to learn to play the 'ukulele. Any skill level is welcome - newby to experienced. There are no pre-requisites and it is open to the general public. Most of the songs planned are Hawaiian music, and we will also mix in some "oldies", some popular folk songs, and more modern songs for variety.  This will be considered an "easy" level, and Pono will include some lessons so you can grow as a 'ukulele player.  As we progress, we will work on songs that will challenge the group to evolve.

Right now, we do not have plans to record the monthly sessions.  We want everyone to have a stress-free experience to play together and learn a little too.  With enough interest, I may make separate recordings for you to play along with and practice what we learned during the kanikapila.

That's fine. This is a casual group lesson. Come when you can, but please enter and leave gracefully out of respect to others.

Kanikapila is the Hawaiian word for a relaxed "get together" to play music.  "Jam session" is an accurate and modern translation. 

The word "kani" means "to make sound", and the words "ka pila" is "the stringed instrument".  So literally, Kanikapila is three words meaning "make music with the stringed instrument." 

A bit of history... Before the 'ukulele came to Hawaii and grew in popularity, "ka pila" referred to a fiddle.  

Daily practice time is recommended, but it is not required.  There are so many benefits

The value you will get out of the sessions is based on what you put into it. 'Ukulele is easy to play, and the development of skills comes out of consistent practice. I will give you a suggested plan for how to practice and what to practice. It is better to play 10 minutes every day than for an hour once per week.  I'll even help you with the "what" to practice, so you can train your fingers with muscle memory. Ideally, investing 20 minutes (give or take) per day will be a great way to make progress.

That said, you won't be "tested" or given a "grade". :-)

The course is limited to 24 seats to permit the best environment for learning. If all the seats have been taken for a month, we will provide a "Interested/Waiting List" form to sign up to be notified. If a seat opens due to a cancellation, the waiting list group will be contacted and the seat will be available on a first come, first served basis.

'Ukulele Group Lesson & Kanikapila - February 17, 2026
Reserve Your Spot!
February 17, 2026   
     near Raleigh, NC

Time:  Tuesday -- 7:30pm to 9:00pm Eastern
Location: Hybrid Presentation (You Choose)
     In-Person in Fuquay-Varina, NC
           -- Address provided with registration
     Or attend Online Live & Interactive via Zoom
Pre-Requisite:  None

Free!

Register
'Ukulele Group Lesson & Kanikapila - March 17, 2026
Reserve Your Spot!
March 17, 2026   
     near Raleigh, NC

Time:  Tuesday -- 7:30pm to 9:00pm Eastern
Location: Hybrid Presentation (You Choose)
     In-Person in Fuquay-Varina, NC
           -- Address provided with registration
     Or attend Online Live & Interactive via Zoom
Pre-Requisite:  None

Free!

Register
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Your Voluntary Contribution

Attend the program and if you enjoyed the session and received some value, please consider supporting the program with a voluntary contribution. 

You choose what to pay.

Proceeds go to help offset some of the time and materials to prepare for each month.  Your contribution help to keep this program going.

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I can’t even speak Hawaiian, but if you go there and listen to a Hawaiian song, you get captured because it’s so beautiful, like the melody is just gorgeous and you know Bob Marley is on the radio every single day. It’s very reggae-influenced down there. Basically, you haven’t been to paradise if you haven’t been to Hawaii. 

Bruno Mars

A Higher Energy, LLC
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Ke Ala Kahiko
1441 E Broad Street, #337
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

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