North America's most popular in-school and online ukulele classes!
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Over 30,000 adults and children have learned to play the ukulele with us in the last 14 years!
From 4 to 94, discover the joy of playing this happy little instrument.
From Pop to Rock... THERE'S A LOT OF MUSIC IN A UKULELE!!
Why Is The Uke So Popular Again?
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easiest to learn and fastest growing instrument in the world (Guinness Book of World Records) -
teaches theory, ear training and musicianship -
children can sing and play at the same time -
great stepping stone to the guitar -
comes in bright cheery colours -
inexpensive and portable -
simply fun!
Welcome to Ukulele Kids
The Ukulele is "Cool" Again!
Join the ukulele craze sweeping Great Britain, the U.S. and now Canada.
An extremely popular string instrument, made cool again by pop culture darlings, Mr. Shuester (Glee), American Idol's Jason Castro and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
Ken Jones: CHORD-inator,
Ed-UKE-ator & Co-Founder
GTA
Ukulele Kids is a family owned, Toronto-based company. Ken Jones, co-founder of Ukulele Kids, has over 30 years of expertise teaching instrumental music and theory to both children and adults. As Head of Music at Earl Haig/Claude Watson School for the Arts in North York, Ontario, Canada, Ken led many award winning ensembles at Provincial and National competitions. As well, he composed and arranged music for over 65 software titles for elementary schools produced by Discis Knowledge Research. In addition to adjudicating for many provincial music festivals, Ken is also Music Director at Kilcoo Camp for boys in Minden, Ontario. He regularly performs both with his band and as a solo pianist on concert stages at many venues across the GTA including corporate events, private functions and clubs. As an ‘edu-tainer’ Ken shows students that learning to play an instrument is a fun and creative experience leading to a life enriching love of music
 Geoff Tupling:CHORD-inator & Ed-UKE-ator Toronto Central East Geoff trained formally on the violin from an early age, took up guitar in his teens and was later a vocalist with a professional dance band, appearing on CTV’s Canadian Talent Showcase. Moving on to a career in advertising, Geoff ultimately started his own marketing communications firm, but not before taking a break to make his living playing all over Ontario as a singer/guitarist.
 Susan Larsen:CHORD-inator & Ed-UKE-ATOR Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Susan’s passion is to share with as many kids and adults alike the sheer joy of playing the ukulele and making music. She started her musical journey at a young age learning to play ukulele with her Grandma. She continued to advance her musical talents playing piano achieving her Grade 8 with Royal Conservatory of Music and also plays guitar. Susan’s business background stems from working over 30 years in the travel industry as agency owner manager and travel consultant. She is enjoying putting her organizational, entrepreneurial and musical skills to use and growing Ukulele Kids Saskatoon.
 Sam Maloney:CHORD-inator & Ed-UKE-ator Gatineau, Quebec There has been music in my life as long as I can remember. There has always been someone playing music in my home. As a child, I studied piano in the Royal Conservatory of Music and sang in various choral groups. I sang lead vocals, played guitar and piano in a few bands as a teenager, and young adult. I discovered the ukulele about 5 years ago, and instantly fell in love with its versatility. Now-a-days, I enjoy performing country tunes in and around Ottawa with my husband, and otherwise playing casually in our kitchen, with our kids. I have been teaching my own children everything that I know about music, for many years. And now, I am going to dedicate my life to sharing my musical knowledge with my community as well. Playing music can be a powerful, and enriching part of anyone's life. It is a language we all understand. And, as I have always said, anyone can play the ukulele!
Performing and studying music all of his life, Chris has over 30 years of experience playing trumpet, guitar and singing in orchestras and choirs of all sizes. He majored in trumpet and musical theatre at the Etobicoke Academy for the Arts, studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and studied Intervention for Individuals who are Deafblind at George Brown College. For the last six years, Chris has been a private guitar and ukulele instructor as well as worked as a freelance music therapist with groups and individuals with disabilities. He is also a “one-man band” for groups of all ages. Performing and teaching music is his passion and his life. “Ukulele Kids has provided me an awesome vehicle to fulfill my need to give the gift of music.” |
April recently graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Education and a Honours Bachelor of Arts.
Sandy is a former teacher and home schooler. She writes memoirs and, so far, has published the life stories of six "ordinary, extraordinary" people. Sandy is the proud mom of three amazing young men - Kevin, Patrick and Charlie - and the servant to two cats, one furrever dog and one foster dog who is on his way to becoming a dog guide. She plays guitar, sings, writes songs and is learning uke with her partner Deb, who loves String Along in Dundas! Sandy chairs the May March Foundation for Mental Health and is also an active volunteer with the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, where she is envoy to the UU UNO.
Craig is a retired teacher having taught 33 years in elementary and high schools in the Winnipeg area. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Dramatic Studies and English) from the University of Winnipeg. He also has a Masters of Education degree from the University of Manitoba specializing in arts education. Craig is a singer and actor. He has been on stage with Rainbow Stage and the Manitoba Opera in numerous productions. He has performed widely with choirs, community stage productions, a celtic band, and as a solo performer. Craig also plays guitar and he especially enjoys performing with a family group called "Highland Heart and Soul". He enjoys meeting ukulele enthusiasts in Winnipeg and looks forward to sharing the ukulele to all ages through Ukulele Kids.
Dennis Smithers: Julia Chang: Mark Goodney: |
OUR VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
Ukulele Kids is dedicated to sparking children's interest and love of music through hands-on discovery while playing the ukulele and singing.
Our Mission
The Ukulele Kids mission is to develop a love and understanding of music in children so that they: ·
- enjoy the activities of singing and playing an instrument;
- learn through participation;
- connect musical knowledge to their world.
Ukulele Kids Vision Statement
Our vision is every child actively engaged in the enjoyment and understanding of music. Our next generation deserves the opportunity to view music as relevant, fun and something that every one of us - even the youngest - can participate in anywhere in the world.
Our Core Values
The Ukulele Kids core values guide the way we develop and deliver our curriculum, work with our students and parents, engage our staff, and develop collaborations with boards of education. In our day-to-day efforts, our six core values define the manner in which we operate.
Passion and Inspiration
We are passionate about inspiring children to experience a sense of enthusiasm about music and gain a real understanding about how it affects the world around them.
Professional and Ethical Excellence
We treat everyone with fairness, honesty, integrity, patience, understanding and trust. We respect the views of our colleagues, customers, supporters and partners and always consider these in the decisions we make. We are committed to continuous improvement and to satisfying our customers with innovative, high quality programs.
Diversity and Community
As a Canadian Not-For Profit Organization, we value the diversity of our country and recognize the need to make our programs affordable and accessible to all. We strive to include all students regardless of their socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, geographic or academic profile. Each locally-driven Ukulele Kids branch aims to build relationships that address the specific needs of that community, recognizing the critical role the community plays in advancing and strengthening music education.
Creating an Engaging Environment
We are committed to providing a fun and engaging environment both in the classroom and in the work environment. We aim to foster learning among students so that they not only learn concepts but strive to learn more. In our work environment, we nurture and celebrate success - both personally and professionally - and encourage and support a harmonious balance between the work and personal lives of our CHORD-inators, Ed-UKE-ators and Administrators.
Teamwork and Collaboration
We foster a culture of teamwork that encourages mutual support, open and honest collaboration and sharing of ideas, both internally and externally. We put Ukulele Kids first and recognize that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Cultivating Partnerships
We actively encourage partnerships to support the Ukulele Kids vision. We value contributions of ideas, materials and resources - all of which help us to further the mission of Ukulele Kids. We work together in relationships of mutual benefit and trust.
THE UKULELE KIDS STORY
by Ken Jones, Chief Uker
In the winter of 2009, out of the blue, my wife Julia met up with her Grade 5 teacher from 38 years earlier. Over lunch the next day they reminisced about the ukulele group that Denise had started all of those years ago and how much fun it was. That evening Julia and I wondered if the ukulele still had the same appeal for elementary students that it did then. What we found was amazing.
There were a number of adult groups around the Toronto area that met and sang and strummed together weekly. There were some wonderful performers such as James Hill and Ralph Shaw who were trying to spread the news about this easy to play instrument. But mostly, there were thousands of students just waiting to have a musical experience that would last a lifetime.
Ukulele Kids was born!
We started our pilot program at Duke of York and Elkhorn Public Schools for which we scrounged up ukes from a number of retail stores around Toronto. I wrote a curriculum for the program and hired a teacher and Julia set up the business side. The demand grew so quickly that we contacted a major Canadian ukulele distributor and by the end of the first we had over 600 kids enrolled in our new program. In the last ten years we have put over 18000 ukuleles into the hands of children and adults in Toronto, Ottawa, Barrie, Niagara, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Nelson BC, Edmonton and we are continuing to expand into other Canadian cities.
So, what has worked to make the Ukulele Kids program so successful? The program is parent paid. The cost includes 8-10 lessons at lunch or after school and includes a ukulele for the child to keep and a songbook. The ukes come in 8 bright colours for the students to choose from. We integrate our performances into the school music programs at assemblies or concerts. There is no cost to the school to have the students musically educated and the uke is a family friendly sing-along instrument that can be taken anywhere. It is now considered that fastest growing instrument in the world.
Ukulele Kids has become a full-time, all consuming business for Julia and me, but the rewards are significant. As a retired music educator, the ability to continue to expose children to the joys of learning music extends the career choice I made so many years ago into my retirement years. However, there are many interpretations of the word retirement. For me, it simply means, "What new challenge can I meet today?" I am proud that I have put that question in front of 18000 new ukulelists over the last ten years and I continue to look forward to the future growth of Ukulele Kids.
KEN JONES: CHIEF UKER & ED-UKE-ATOR
Ukulele Kids is a family owned, Toronto-based company. Ken Jones, co-founder of Ukulele Kids, has over 30 years of expertise teaching instrumental music and theory to both children and adults. As Head of Music at Earl Haig/Claude Watson School for the Arts in North York, Ontario, Canada, Ken led many award winning ensembles at Provincial and National competitions. As well, he composed and arranged music for over 65 software titles for elementary schools produced by Discis Knowledge Research. In addition to adjudicating for many provincial music festivals, Ken is also Music Director at Kilcoo Camp for boys in Minden, Ontario. He regularly performs both with his band and as a solo pianist on concert stages at many venues across the GTA including corporate events, private functions and clubs. As an ‘edu-tainer’ Ken shows students that learning to play an instrument is a fun and creative experience leading to a life enriching love of music.
DENISE LEVIA: HONOURARY CHIEF UKER & ED-UKE-ATOR
Former Toronto and Vancouver elementary school teacher, Denise is a professional singer, artist and world traveller. Included in her various teaching credentials is an Ontario Department of Education Music Specialist certificate. Her love for the ukulele began in her childhood and she found it to be a great teaching tool for her students from kindergarten to grade 8. Well known for her vocalizing, she has conducted award winning children's choirs and performed for years with big bands and small ensembles. She brings to her lessons a joie de vivre, a broad culturally diverse repertoire, and loads of experience teaching children and adults. Denise wants everyone to experience the ease and fun of playing this user-friendly versatile little instrument along with the sheer joy of accompanying their own singing. She is a true believer that "music self played is happiness self made".
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Ed-UKE-ator Suzanne has been entertaining and teaching young audiences across the United States and Canada for over 35 years and trained some of Canada’s top talent. Dedicated to sharing the joy of music to children of all ages; Halton region Chordinator for Ukulele Kids is a natural fit.
Ed-UKE-ator Joseph started his music education on the piano at a young age. He graduated from the University of British Columbia school of music studying piano and composition. Joseph has taught piano and theory to children for many years and continues to compose music. While working at a music store in 2010, he discovered the ukulele by chance when customers started to ask him for certain ukuleles. Since then, he has fallen in love with the ukulele and has been working with Ukulele kids since 2011.
Ed-UKE-ator Neal taught 33 years in elementary and high schools in the Toronto area. He has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto. He has performed widely with Symphonies, Jazz bands, Rock bands, and as a solo performer. Teaching, both privately, and in a school setting has been an endlessly enjoyable career for him and he looks forward to meeting ukulele enthusiasts of all ages through Ukulele Kids.
Ed-UKE-ator
Ed-UKE-ator Sheldon has taught music for over thirty years to people of all ages. He is formally trained with the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music. He plays accordion, bass, guitar, banjo and ukulele. Sheldon's students range from 2 years old to 82 years. The largest age group is the children. His engaging style, energy and humour make him a hit among the kids. Sheldon's experience has made him an on demand teacher for many groups and schools bringing him about 300 students a week through his various classes and private lessons in the lower mainland of BC. Besides, teaching, Sheldon is a local performer and session player and for hire musician bringing him before audiences throughout BC and beyond.
Austin is presently studying Jazz Music at the University of Toronto. He is a very talented musician with trumpet as his major instrument. Austin loves working with kids and spent his last few summers working at Kilcoo Camp for boys.
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Ed-UKE-ator
Adam Logan has been teaching music to students of all ages, temperaments, and abilities for roughly the last 6 years. He has developed a wide range of abilities and skills when it comes to music instruction including teaching students of low functioning disabilities and coaching creativity among novice peer musicians. After taking just three basic chords and a little finger picking technique taught to him by his mother, Adam went from being a 12 year old aspiring musician to a 29 year old multi instrumentalist and music instructor.
\Ed-UKE-ator Playing, listening, and dancing to music - Anna loves it all! Her musical adventure began at age two when her parents enrolled her in an early childhood music program. Over the years, she has enjoyed many musical genres through piano, double bass, electric bass, singing and ukulele. Anna believes that the most important aspect of music is to have fun, and what better instrument than the ukulele? She's really excited to be a part of Ukulele Kids and can't wait for the learning, laughter, and smiles that are sure to ensue!
Ed-UKE-ator Throughout her life, Dithaya has always been passionate about music and teaching. She believes that the best way for young children to learn is if they have fun while learning as well, and music is a fantastic way to bring joy in a classroom and life in general. Dithaya is originally from Thailand, but has been living in Canada since she was 12. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from University of Guelph, and is pursuing a Master of Education from University of Toronto. As an educator, Dithaya has seen the positive impact that music has on young children, and looks forward to being part of the Ukulele Kids family and sharing the great things about music with young children.
Nelson, BC April is an outgoing and enthusiastic music teacher, striving to create student-centered classrooms where students can practice compassion, feel empowered and learn in an environment that supports individual strengths and weaknesses. She encourages students to reach their potential and to create a community where respect and communication are highly valued. She has worked with Ukulele Kids for several years and loves being part of the team!
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Useful Ukulele Resources
Ukulele Big Kids
Adults love the ukulele as much as the kids. We have many adult programs such as seniors residences, corporate team building, corporate lunch time programs, adult sing-a-longs, teacher training etc. Learn More...
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