-
Progress, Not Perfection
One of the consistent themes running through my 100 Days of ‘Ukulele project was learning how to loosen my grip on perfection — especially when the music wasn’t staying in the dark. I’m classically trained — my primary instrument was tuba — and I studied music at Colorado State University. Later, I taught band and orchestra, where precision mattered: right notes, right rhythms, right entrances. In that world, mistakes are something you fix before anyone hears them. You practice until the errors disappear. That mindset…
-
Five Songs That Changed My Life: Surf
This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story. Letting Music Be Playful, Social, and Fun Surf is the third song that changed my life, largely because it reminded me that music can simply be fun. I learned this tune through an extra songbook at the ukulele jam—the…
-
Five Songs That Changed My Life: La Vie En Rose
This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story. La Vie En Rose is the second song in this series. Learning to Be Brave in Front of Others La Vie En Rose has always carried special meaning for me—it was a favorite of my late mother, and long before…
-
Five Songs That Changed My Life: Lava
This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story. Finding My Way Back to Music Through Simplicity and Aloha The Pixar short Lava, with music written by James Ford Murphy, tells the story of two volcanoes patiently waiting for love, separated by time and distance. On the surface, it’s…
-
My Favorite ‘Ukulele
Selecting a favorite ‘ukulele is like picking a favorite child: one shouldn’t do it even if there is one. I have four ‘ukuleles (as of now) and they all have a special place in my heart. But since they are not children, let’s dive in and discover which one is my favorite. In order of acquisition, I’ll introduce you to my ‘ukulele: My First Fender, The Pickup Cordoba, The Carpool Waterman, and the Engagement Kanile’a. It’s called the First Fender because it is the one…
