Meet the Masters Behind Kala's Learn to Play Ukulele Lessons!
Learning something new can come with a lot of emotions: excitement, anticipation, pride, or maybe even a bit of fear. Learning is a lot easier – and a lot less scary – when you have a good teacher, and the right tools. That idea is what inspired Kala to launch our Learn To Play initiative nearly ten years ago. Learn to Play is a program of free, easy-to-follow ukulele lessons for even the newest players. With these resources, new players will have everything they need to jump right into learning to play the ukulele with confidence, and have a good time doing it! Read on to meet your Learn to Play instructors, and check out the tools that will make your learning experience a breeze.
The Learner's Toolbelt
The Learn to Play program originated in 2016 with a few notable releases. The Kala App was first launched as a tuner, but quickly grew into an all-in-one ukulele learning platform, with features like play-along song charts, lesson modules, a chord library, and more! The original Learn To Play Ukulele kit, introduced in Soprano size, grew into the wide variety of sizes and styles we offer today. These kits are designed with everything the new player needs to start playing right away!
The Color Chord, for instance, includes special fretboard markers to show where to put your fingers to form the first four basic chords, paired with a tote bag and quick start guide. The Learn To Play Soprano Ukulele Kit, Concert Ukulele Kit, Mandy Harvey Signature Tenor, and Baritone Ukulele Kit each come with a logo tote bag, quick-start guide, and a clip-on chromatic tuner for fast tuning. All Learn to Play Starter Kits have quick access to our free online lessons – the last key component of Learn To Play!
Our video lesson platform, taught by hand-picked Kala instructors, is made from the ground up to teach you everything from how to hold your ukulele, to how to play your first songs. Now, let’s get to know your Learn To Play instructors.
Meet The Teachers
Ukulenny
Courses: Beginner’s Path, Chord & Technique, Extended Song Tutorials
Ukulenny was born Lendl San Jose in San Diego, CA, and received musical guidance from his brother, sisters, and parents. Ukulenny moved to California’s Bay Area in 2004 to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Theatre minor. He completed his teaching credential from Cal State East Bay in 2011 and spent the next five years teaching in public schools around the Bay Area.
In 2010, his passion for music education led him to start a YouTube channel with ukulele covers and tutorials. Ukulenny currently helps create content for Kala’s Learn to Play program, as well as performing and educating whenever and wherever he can. You can learn more about Ukulenny and his music here: http://www.ukulenny.com/.
To me, there’s no greater feeling than to make music with others, so being a host or teaching others, enabling people to feel that joy, is really special.”
Kevin Presbrey
Course: Learn To Play Baritone
Midwestern born singer-songwriter and educator Kevin Presbrey has worked in the music industry in several capacities for twenty-plus years. After a decade of touring with his alt-rock band Painkiller Hotel, his fateful discovery of a Kala tenor ukulele in Davenport, Iowa shifted his musical path in a slightly different, very cool direction.
Kevin’s YouTube-fueled ukulele tutorial platform, AllForUke, has grown into one of the world’s largest online ukulele communities, allowing him to find a nice balance between sharing his affection for the ukulele through performance and teaching. The mission is ultimately to bring people together through playing ukulele.
Search for an instrument that will inspire you to pick it up every day. Once you have your instrument selected, I would suggest choosing a few songs to play that you really love listening to.”
Emily Arrow
Course: Color Chord
Emily Arrow is a musician and author based out of Portland, OR, creating music inspired by literature for children. Her goal is not only to inspire a love for music, but for reading as well! With permission from the books' creators, Emily collaborates with best-selling authors and artists to create the best in children's media.
Being drawn to teaching from a young age, she went on to graduate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she also earned a graduate-level teaching certification in Orff-Shulwerk Levels I & II. She has received multiple awards including The John Lennon Songwriting Award for “The Curious Garden Song,” the National Parenting Product Award, and the Parents’ Choice Gold Award. Emily continues to write and adapt, record, perform, and teach. You can learn more about Emily Arrow on her website: https://www.emilyarrow.com/
My goal is to create engaging, innovative experiences that inspire children to embrace literacy through the joyful power of music.”
Mandy Harvey
Courses: Learn To Play Mandy Harvey
Mandy is a singer, songwriter, author, and inspirational speaker who lost her hearing at the age of 19. She came to national attention on Season 12 of America’s Got Talent. Her inspiring performances of her original songs have been viewed millions of times and won the coveted “Golden Buzzer” from judge Simon Cowell.
We were proud to welcome Mandy to the Kala Artist family in 2016. Together with our team, she developed a special lesson series as a companion to her Signature Series Tenor. It is the hope of both Mandy and Kala that this series not only helps you to learn some of her signature songs, but also inspires you to start using your ukulele to write your own songs!
Nobody really knows what you're capable of. You just have to keep discovering it every day.”
Now that you've met your instructors, and have the right stuff, all that's left to do is begin! So what are you waiting for? Lets get started!
