Ukulele Workshop
Come learn to play ukulele with renowned ukulele player & teacher, Kimo Hussey — coming all the way to us from Hawaii!
Our Encore music program is collaborating — for the second year in a row — with The Kanikapila Project. They have developed innovative ukulele-based programs supporting the power and aloha of music.
Kimo Hussey will be leading the workshop — he lives on the island of Kauai and is a retired USAF Lt. Colonel & Vietnam Veteran. Well known in the world of ukulele, he will be bringing his special love, connection, and warmth to us through music. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from & play with Kimo!
WHEN: Saturday, February 17 @ 1 - 3 PM ET
WHERE: Paladin Center, 39 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel Hamlet, NY, 10512
Note:
Limit to 15 attendees
8 free ukuleles available to the first 8 signups who want one
No skill level or prior experience required — this is a welcoming, judgement-free zone!
Our 2023 ukulele workshop with Kimo:
About Your Instructor
Kimo Hussey is a renowned ukulele player & instructor.
“Though Kimo has literally been playing the ukulele for 70 years, his career as a professional performer and teacher is actually a relatively recent development, beginning only after his retirement from a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard.
But he’s packed a lot into his 20-plus years on the uke circuit… and Kimo has had a long association with the Ukulele Guild of Hawaii, even serving as president for many years, helping promote the work of custom uke builders.
It’s not surprising to learn that at the heart of Kimo’s love of ukulele is kanikapila — friendly, casual gatherings/jam sessions where musicians play and sing informally just for fun; a Hawaiian tradition that has by now also been adopted by uke players wherever you find them.
“In kanikapila, proficiency means nothing, enjoyment is everything,” he said in a 2018 interview. That joyful spirit infuses his teaching and his playing, and helps explain why he is one of the most loved and respected figures in contemporary Hawaiian music.” (Ukulele Magazine article)
About Your Facilitator
Encore Executive Program Director Matthew Sorena received his Bachelors degree in Music and Masters degree in Music Therapy. He practiced music therapy for over 7 years and has been playing a variety of instruments for over 15 years.
Matthew enjoys teaching people of all interest and ability levels about the phenomenon of music. He presents material in a relatable and easy to follow manner, and he welcomes both experts and novices to join in!
Encore
Encore provides veterans & first responders with (free) opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music.
JAMS: Regular sessions of casual community-based music experiences hosted by a trained Lead Musician. Guardians of any skill level are welcome to join — using their own instrument or one of ours. Come jam with us in Beacon NY, Mahopac NY, Manhattan NYC, and Billings MT.
LESSONS: We offer beginner to advanced guitar, ukulele, bass, and piano lessons via zoom. Lessons will start at your level & go at your pace, based on your individual goals and objectives with music. You can also learn basic music theory, if interested.
RETREATS: Led by a music therapist, these 3-day retreats offer guardians the opportunity to immerse in music together, providing a chance to reset through music & community.
TRACKS: A unique experience where we facilitate professional songwriting, recording, and releasing of a guardian’s original music. This opportunity to share their story helps them process emotions as well as offer a potential professional path forward with music.
Through our Tracks experience, we work with a guardian on professional songwriting, recording, and releasing their original music on our label, Guardian Revival Records (available on all streaming platforms).