News and Updates

Come and join us for an afternoon of jamming at the fabulous 63 First Avenue cafe in Sawtell. The Jams are open to all ages and abilities. We belt out songs from the Ukulele Club Songbooks (Vol 1 & 2) and share the joy of music together. Bring your books and music stands – the bar will be open! Where: 63 First Ave SawtellWhen: Saturday 7 May, 3.00-4.30pm Book your place today – Limited to 40 so DON’T MISS OUT$15 Members – (contact Steph for your discount code)$20 Non-members Purchase your tickets here

If you’ve been playing ukulele for a while and are looking for a group to join – come along on a Monday evening to the Sawtell Surf Club and meet the Sawtell Ukulele Group. We are a community group that has been playing together since 2016. We’re a very social group and love being part of our community, performing regularly at aged care centres, community events, festivals, openings, closings – wherever we are invited! Our song choice is definitely not your average ukulele group and songs are arranged especially for the group and will definitely expand your skills and level…

If you’re keen to learn the ukulele, here are some face to face and online options for you. I have been teaching Absolute Beginner Ukulele courses out of the Coffs Harbour Libraries for the past couple of years, including Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and Toormina Libraries. The next course, starting 28 April, has sold out but you can contact the Library on 6648 4905 to put your name on a waitlist for future courses. Find out more about the Library Group Courses here. I also run private ukulele lessons for individuals and small groups from my studio in Sawtell. I recommend…

On Monday 16 May, two amazing classical musicians will be visiting our Sawtell Ukulele Group session as part of Music in the Regions. Emily Granger and Andrew Blanch will be touring our region and making a special stop in to SMUG. It’s not often people would think harp..guitar..ukulele! But they all have strings and we are going to have the privilege of hearing how they sound together with these two renowned musicians. Emily is a harpist from the US and has been described as one of the world’s most exciting new exponents of her instrument; and Andrew, who hails from…

The Sawtell Ukulele Group were all prepped and ready to rock out at the Seniors Week Festival at Boambee East Community Gardens but due to rain, it was cancelled. So we were very happy when invited to play at the opening of the new THE LINK facilities on the Hogbin Drive on 14 April. I know many people have been very curious as to what’s happening in the space that was the old Cockbains Nursery/Hidden Link Cafe site. Well Sawtell Catholic Care are the stewards of the site and THE LINK facilities will host programs and events designed to “foster the…

It was COVID that launched my learn to play the ukulele online courses back in 2020. I translated how I have taught the ukulele over the past six years into pre-recorded videos first for adults, and then with a NSW Creative Kids grant, for younger people. I had received fabulous feedback from people of all ages who had completed the Learning Ukulele for Absolute Beginners courses – but it wasn’t until I worked with Coffs Harbour City Council on a Youth grant that I really began to understand the impact and importance of online learning options for young people. Originally…

The Coffs Library 10-week Absolute Beginners course starts on Thursday 28 April, 12.30-1.30pm. If you’re looking to start your ukulele journey – or you’re just feeling a little rusty – then call the Library to book your place. The ukulele is the easiest instrument to learn and you don’t need any prior musical experience. In this 10-week Absolute Beginners course, you will learn how to hold and tune the ukulele, the basic chords and some simple strumming patterns, plus a bunch of great songs. I guarantee you will be rocking out a song before the first lesson is over! Anyone…