Youth embrace online learning

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 we hoped that 30 young people would take up the offer of receiving a free ukulele and Uko Ono Beginners online ukulele course registration. Timing was super tight – we literally had a week to promote the opportunity and start the course – so we reduced numbers to 20. An astonishing 40 young people registered for the opportunity and we launched the course with a Zoom introduction to ukulele session on Tuesday 22 February.

Parents told Council how grateful they were to have an online option for their child to learn the ukulele. Many young people feel too intimidated to join a face to face music class but feel comfortable learning from home in their own space and their own time. Some local high schools embraced the program and are working through the course modules during school time with students of various needs.

We are very lucky to have music teachers on the Coffs coast and a wonderful Conservatorium of Music. But many regional towns don’t, so having online music options, particularly with the ukulele which is a great gateway instrument as it is so easy to learn, is vital. You can check out online learning options here!