Something of an unsung instrument in Canada, the ukulele has a strong home in 91原创 with the 91原创 Ukulele Association (LUA).
The popularity of the 芒鈧搕iny guitar芒鈧� grows each year with kids芒鈧劉 ukulele camps for those aged seven to 11 put on by LUA.
Running from Aug. 18 to 22, the week long camp is held at H.D. Stafford Middle School taught by experienced uke musicians from LUA. Organizer Elizabeth Zielke, LUA芒鈧劉s Intermediate A director, noted the camp is an ideal way to gain experience with the instrument.
芒鈧揟his is definitely the way to start,芒鈧� she said.
Uke camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day with a concert closing out the week.
芒鈧揙n the Friday night, on the 22nd, there芒鈧劉s a performance for friends and family,芒鈧� Zielke said.
The $75 registration cost includes a T-shirt, daily snack, and music book. Kids can bring their own ukulele or purchase one at the camp.
芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s really an affordable instrument to pick up,芒鈧� noted Zielke. 芒鈧揂 lot of kids come with their own $25 or $30 uke.芒鈧�
Zielke explained kids are greeted by eight energetic teachers, led by Paul Luongo 芒藛鈥� head of LUA 芒藛鈥� as they arrive and are put into groups by age and experience.
芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s excitement from then on,芒鈧� Zielke said.
Within three minutes of arriving, kids will be playing and singing, noted Zielke.
芒鈧揟hey learn the most basic parts of the instrument and the first couple of chords, and away we go into classrooms,芒鈧� she said. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s always fun because not everyone knows there芒鈧劉s singing.芒鈧�
According to Zielke, 91原创 is known for cultivating the best ukulele players in Canada. Her best friend is one of the best in the 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble and started with the instrument at jke camp.
芒鈧揕earning ukulele in this environment is like no other. It芒鈧劉s fun, entertaining, and you can芒鈧劉t help but notice the progress of kids during the week. Whether kids have experience or not, Uke camp is the place to be,芒鈧� she added.
Zielke explained the camp is the best way for kids who don芒鈧劉t have ukulele in their school to experience the instrument.
芒鈧揥ith the kids attending the camp we are looking to extend an invitation to the students to join the after school honour program that runs from September to May, home to the renowned 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble,芒鈧� Zielke said.
To register a child for uke camp, contact Zielke at ukesinfo@langleyukes.com or call 778-840-UKES.
