headspace Ukulele Youth project

We are now half-way through the 8-week ‘Ukulele Art Attack’ project in collaboration with headspace Coffs Harbour. Funded through an Arts & Cultural Grant from the City of Coffs, the project aims to bring together young people to connect and express themselves through music and art.

Participants in the project range from 12 to 23 years of age, with one student travelling up from Frederickton each week to participate. Interestingly, most have had prior experience with playing a musical instrument, with 50% playing multiple instruments at various times. It really reinforces for me the benefits of starting music young, as it really is a language that translates so easily to the ukulele. There are a few participants who have had no musical background, but again, the ukulele is the perfect instrument to learn as it is easy, small, portable, affordable and gives instant results.

Each participant has received their own ukulele through the project and during the hour-and-a-half weekly sessions, can take time out to paint and personalise their uke. What has been most satisfying for me so far with the project is the new playlist of songs that is coming together from the group. Some are classics that were around when I was their age (Everybody Wants To Rule The World), and then there are more recent songs that are opening up my ukulele world. If you haven’t heard of Cavetown – I strongly suggest you check them out!

A huge call out to headspace staff, Sami & Michelle from the Sawtell Ukulele Group, and City of Coffs for funding project such as these.