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Festival Organizer

Keith Lowery

I'm usually introduced as, "Nani's husband", and I guess it still occurs from time to time. When Nani and I set out to create a Ukulele Festival in the town we live in, we took it one day at a time, one contact at a time, and one idea at a time. I've heard people say that the 2019 festival was a success. For the most part, people who came enjoyed the workshops, concerts, and overall vibe of the festival. It was disappointing to have the 2020 festival cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but found creating a much larger online ukulele community exciting and rewarding. We are looking forward to making the final preparations for the 2022 Gaithersburg UkeFest, and hope that ukulele enthusiast find this version as enjoyable as the 2019 rendition.

Projected and/or likely 2023 Gaithersburg UkeFest Staff

Peter Moss

Kris Fuchigami

Kris Fuchigami

England 


Peter is a professional, international Ukulele performer and workshop presenter.

His performance is quite unique covering many styles incorporating the Ukulele, Banjolele and vocal. Everywhere he has appeared he has been re-invited.
​
His workshops are described as informative, but also lots of fun!

Kris Fuchigami

Kris Fuchigami

Kris Fuchigami

Hawaii


Kris Fuchigami won The 2021 Na Hoku Hanohano Award for "Instrumental Composition Of The Year!!"

Bob Tigert

Kris Fuchigami

Bob Tigert

Tennessee

After a global career in music and video production, Bob Tigert produced a series of recordings featuring a singer/songwriter who was specializing in ukulele-based music. He ended up playing several tracks on the project with a borrowed instrument, and realized the possibilities that the uke created, Since then, he has played on countless recording sessions, played festivals, clubs, workshops and showcases around the country. His band Bob’s Your Uncle (Nashville) has 3 CD projects out, with more to come!



Lisa Webb

Ukemaniak - Aline Kelly

Kirk Jones

Tennessee

Lisa Webb is a multi-instrumentalist and jazz vocalist.  She studied music growing up in St. Louis and earned a Master’s in Composition from North Texas State University.  She has been fortunate to have performed and appeared with the LA Jazz Choir, Steve Allen, Bob Hope,  Glen Campbell, The Romeo Sisters, Leslie Lewis and recorded on the Concord Jazz label with Rosemary Clooney.


After making Nashville her permanent home she has continued her career as a professional musician and songwriter and happily added the ukulele to her list of instruments!  Her first ukulele recording UKE HAPPY has helped spread a little joy around to a pandemic world. 

Currently Lisa is honored to be an OHANA artist and is working on a new recording!




Kirk Jones

Ukemaniak - Aline Kelly

Kirk Jones

Alabama


Professional FUNsician out of Huntsville.

Ukemaniak - Aline Kelly

Ukemaniak - Aline Kelly

Ukemaniak - Aline Kelly

Brazil


Aline was one of our favorite artists to have on our Performers Showcase, during the pandemic. She is also a wonderful teacher, always producing very professional notes for her workshops

Calico

Kevin Carroll

Ukemaniak - Aline Kelly

Austria


Juliana (Steiger) taught herself to play guitar at the age of ten to play at campfires for her girl scouts. She fell in love with the ukulele when she first borrowed it from a friend. It is a much friendlier instrument and uke players are less strict. She hates that the guitar has a lot of baggage ... the uke is just sweet and forgiving.  


Tina (Niederpold) had her first glorious stage performance in a Nativity play in Kindergarten. Unfortunately she sang so quietly not even mice could hear her. Since then she practiced in various church and gospel choirs and her voice reached humanly audible levels. She tried out various instruments in her life and finally fell in love with the ukulele in spring 2018.

Kevin Carroll

Kevin Carroll

Kevin Carroll

Texas


Kevin Carroll is a certified State of Texas Elementary Educator, who instructs at ukulele workshops internationally and teaches both private and group music lessons to all ages and levels in Austin, TX .  Kevin is also a performing and recording artist in his own right. He has launched a  ukulele-based music education company called edUKEcation.com which brings lessons and instruments to schools, youth groups and other ukulele communities.  Equally passionate about music, education and ukulele, Kevin seeks to inspire and empower students to exercise their birthright of making music.  Kevin has completed three years of course study in the James Hill Ukulele Initiative Teacher Certification Program and has been hired as an instructor for the program in Vancouver and Toronto.

Amy Kucharik

Ashley Orlando

Ashley Orlando

Massachusetts

Kerrville New Folk winning songwriter and performer Amy Kucharik [/kuh-CHAR-ick/] energizes swing dance, folk festival and listening room audiences alike. Drawing from blues, folk and Vaudeville traditions and with a street-smart stagecraft honed in the subways of Boston, Amy transports her audience to a place both timeless and familiar, but nevertheless innovative. She performs as a one-woman band with ukulele, tenor guitar, foot percussion, mouth trumpet and harmonica, or with bands featuring top New England musicians. Combining poignant lyrics and a danceable swing, Amy’s music has drawn comparisons to Maria Muldaur, Lake Street Dive, and Anais Mitchell. Amy was a formal showcase artist at SWRFA in 2015, WFMT Folk DJ Rich Warren’s pick for the NERFA DJ showcase in 2016, and a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist for 2018. Her second full-length album of original music, "Until the Words Are Gone," was released in 2018.

Ashley Orlando

Ashley Orlando

Ashley Orlando

Texas

Ashley Orlando is a bilingual (English/French) jazz vocalist/ukulele artist, public relations pro and community builder who loves using music to help people find their voice, dream big and develop the outward presence to make their dreams reality. “Music is one language that transcends cultural barriers,” she says, and it has given her the opportunity to sing not only in her native U.S., but also in Canada and Europe. A classically trained vocalist, Ashley’s smooth voice is a mixture of light, angelic grace and warm, jazz tones.



Uke 66

Uncle William

Uncle William

Missouri

Rick and Karen Maxson found the inspiration for Uke 66 in their hometown of Springfield, MO, the birthplace of Route 66. Like the highway itself, the Maxsons believe that all people, regardless of age or income, can "get their kicks" from the carefree and unassuming music of the ukulele. While the Maxsons spend most of their time teaching others to play ukulele, they created Uke 66 to bring its joyful sound to public events and gatherings. For the last five years, they have been turning live ukulele music into a spirited sound track for luaus, luncheons, fund-raisers, corporate meetings, weddings, worship and memorial services. Folk, pop, island songs, jazz, and original tunes – everything from Chicago to L.A. – is what you will find when you get your kicks from Uke 66.

Uncle William

Uncle William

Uncle William

Maryland/New Jersey

William Ernestberg is from Laie, Oahu. He is a graduate of Kahuku High School, and has 30 years service in the U.S. Coast Guard (retired 2016). He was stationed  in various locations, including NJ, FL, NC, and DC; He is a member of Hālau O ‘Aulani, the Hawaii State Society and the ‘Ukulele Hui’; He volunteers regularly at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington D.C. 



Nani Lowery

The Edukated Fleas

The Edukated Fleas

Maryland

Ukulele teacher, workshop instructor, ukulele performer, and festival organizer.

 


The Edukated Fleas

The Edukated Fleas

The Edukated Fleas

Connecticut

“We’re 78 rpm in an MP3 world!” With a repertoire that includes swing tunes, standards and cowboy tunes from the 20s through 50s, the Fleas – Greg Doyle and Wendy Matthews – are itching to play their ukuleles for you.


Greg Doyle, on baritone uke, is a guitarist whose musical interests span Swing to Surf and beyond. He has been playing guitar since his teens and was a long-time member of Vic Schwarz’s Acoustic Workshop, a Hudson Valley-based, six-piece string band. Greg teaches uke and guitar privately.


Wendy Matthews, on soprano uke, was charmed by the instrument’s portability and quirkiness, and took it up a few years back to accompany her singing. She has been singing and playing a variety of instruments since her teens. In a previous life, she was a member of Bad Attitudes, a four-woman music and comedy troupe.




Amazing & Talented Instructors teaching online workshops wit

By the Numbers

From April, 2020 to June, 2021 Gaithersburg UkeFest hosted 150 workshops. Not counting July and August, 2020, we averaged hosting 11.5 ukulele workshops a month during the pandemic. 

European Ukulele Artists

If you had told me when we first started organizing ukulele festivals, that we would be rubbing virtual shoulders with the likes of Peter Moss, Elisabeth Pfeiffer, Samantha Muir, Natasha Ghosh, Phil Doleman, and Marcus Rantanen, I would have asked, "Who are they?" But now I recognize them as some of the premier ukulele artists in Europe. We made friends with 19 ukulele artists from Europe altogether, and are still baffled how it all came about.

Ukulele Artists from South America

Known to some as the "Jake Shimabukuro" of South America, Vinicius Vivas dazzled us as a performer, but also as an instructor. Aline Kelly, also from Brazil, and Flor Ansaldo from Argentina, wowed us with their incredible notes for their workshops, and were registrant favorites! Jenifer Cabrera performed wonderfully during a couple of Performer Showcases, and also shared the instructor duties with Aline Kelly during a workshop selection. We were thrilled to have these 4 South Americans join our instructor corp.

Those Are Some Big Numbers!!!

Collectively, we hosted workshops taught by instructors from the lower 48, Canada, and Hawaii. There were 42 instructors who taught one or more workshops during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you add in the 23 ukulele artists from South America and Europe, you come to the realization that we organized 150 distinct ukulele workshops taught by 65 instructors from around the globe!

It Was a Team Effort

Many folks were curious how we pulled this off...and for 13 months! Keith did the prep work. He was contacting the instructors, sometimes guiding them to a title for the workshop, and scheduling them at a time that would work for them and our overall schedule. Keith also registered people for the workshops, and worked on the finances, from the registrants, and paying the instructors.


Nani handled the hosting duties, opening up Zoom, welcoming students to the workshop, and working with the instructors to make sure they knew how to use the shared screen, etc.  

For the 2022 Gaithersburg UkeFest

When considering who to invite to the festival, there is some preference to those who have worked with us virtually since April of 2020. We envision it a kind of reunion, where we can all meet together in person with our ukulele friends we made virtually in the Gaithersburg UkeFest efforts.

2020-2021 European & South American workshop teachers

Giovanni Albini

Dario Bellevaglia

Dario Bellevaglia

Italy

Dario Bellevaglia

Dario Bellevaglia

Dario Bellevaglia

Italy

Jenifer Cabrera

Dario Bellevaglia

Jenifer Cabrera

Brazil

Daniele Dencs

Marc Gallagher

Jenifer Cabrera

Italy

Marc Gallagher

Marc Gallagher

Marc Gallagher

England

Natasha Ghosh

Marc Gallagher

Marc Gallagher

The Netherlands

Flor Ansaldo

Francesco Albertazzi

Francesco Albertazzi

Argentina

Francesco Albertazzi

Francesco Albertazzi

Francesco Albertazzi

Italy

Phil Doleman

Francesco Albertazzi

Phil Doleman

England

Peter Moss

Lorenzo Lignando, aka. Ukulollo

Phil Doleman

England

Lorenzo Lignando, aka. Ukulollo

Lorenzo Lignando, aka. Ukulollo

Lorenzo Lignando, aka. Ukulollo

Italy

Hardy Lugerth

Hardy Lugerth

Hardy Lugerth

Germany

Aline Kelly

Hardy Lugerth

Hardy Lugerth

Brazil

Mari US

Hardy Lugerth

Tony Mizen

Germany

Tony Mizen

Vinicius Vivas

Tony Mizen

England

Vinicius Vivas

Vinicius Vivas

Vinicius Vivas

Brazil

Samantha Muir

Vinicius Vivas

Vinicius Vivas

England

Matthew Quilliam

Matthew Quilliam

Matthew Quilliam

England

Markus Rantanen

Matthew Quilliam

Matthew Quilliam

Finland

David John Roche

Matthew Quilliam

David John Roche

Wales

Paul Mansell

Elisabeth Pfeiffer

David John Roche

England

Elisabeth Pfeiffer

Elisabeth Pfeiffer

Elisabeth Pfeiffer

Germany

Andy Eastwood

Elisabeth Pfeiffer

Elisabeth Pfeiffer

England

Our Ukulele & Local Partners

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
DoubleTree by Hilton, Washington DC North / Gaithersburg

2020-2021 U.S. & Canadian Instructors

Abe Lagrimas, Jr.

Christopher Davis-Shannon

Christopher Davis-Shannon

California

Christopher Davis-Shannon

Christopher Davis-Shannon

Christopher Davis-Shannon

Pennsylvania

Jim D'Ville

Christopher Davis-Shannon

Stuart (Stu) Fuchs

New Mexico

Stuart (Stu) Fuchs

Stuart (Stu) Fuchs

Stuart (Stu) Fuchs

Vermont

Gracie Terzian

Stuart (Stu) Fuchs

Gracie Terzian

New York

Kevin Carroll

Stuart (Stu) Fuchs

Gracie Terzian

Texas

Eduardo Garcia

Eduardo Garcia

Eduardo Garcia

Canada

Lisa Kljaich

Eduardo Garcia

Eduardo Garcia

Kentucky/Alaska

Brad Bordessa

Eduardo Garcia

Brad Bordessa

Hawaii

Jonah Davis

Ross Malcolm Boyd

Brad Bordessa

Hawaii

Melissa Nannen

Ross Malcolm Boyd

Ross Malcolm Boyd

Pennsylvania

Ross Malcolm Boyd

Ross Malcolm Boyd

Ross Malcolm Boyd

New Mexico/Massachusetts

Steven Espaniola

Steven Espaniola

Steven Espaniola

California

Dani Joy

Steven Espaniola

Steven Espaniola

Oregon

Matt Griffo

Steven Espaniola

Amy Kucharik

Illinois

Amy Kucharik

Andrew Molina

Amy Kucharik

Massachusetts

Nani Lowery

Andrew Molina

Andrew Molina

Maryland

Andrew Molina

Andrew Molina

Andrew Molina

 Hawaii

Abe Deshotel

Ukester Brown

Abe Deshotel

Connecticut

 

Hula Honeys

Ukester Brown

Abe Deshotel

Hawaii

Ukester Brown

Ukester Brown

Ukester Brown

Minnesota

Daniel Ward

Victoria Vox

Ukester Brown

California

Victoria Vox

Victoria Vox

Victoria Vox

California

Andrew Smith

Victoria Vox

Victoria Vox

Canada

'Lil Rev

Ashley Orlando

Devin Scott

Wisconsin

Devin Scott

Ashley Orlando

Devin Scott

Missouri/Colorado

Ashley Orlando

Ashley Orlando

Robert (Bob) Tigert

Texas

Robert (Bob) Tigert

Wendy Matthews of the Edukated Fleas

Robert (Bob) Tigert

Tennessee


Lisa Webb

Wendy Matthews of the Edukated Fleas

Wendy Matthews of the Edukated Fleas

 Tennessee 


Wendy Matthews of the Edukated Fleas

Wendy Matthews of the Edukated Fleas

Wendy Matthews of the Edukated Fleas

Connecticut

Kirk Jones

Uke 66 .. Rick & Karen Maxson

Uke 66 .. Rick & Karen Maxson

Alabama

Uke 66 .. Rick & Karen Maxson

Uke 66 .. Rick & Karen Maxson

Uke 66 .. Rick & Karen Maxson

Missouri

Maureen Andary

Uke 66 .. Rick & Karen Maxson

Maureen Andary

Washington D.C.

Ukulenny

Matt Dahlberg

Maureen Andary

California

Uncle Zac

Matt Dahlberg

Matt Dahlberg

Connecticut

Matt Dahlberg

Matt Dahlberg

Matt Dahlberg

Oregon

Jeff Peterson

Christina "Chrissy" Hogarth

Christina "Chrissy" Hogarth

Hawaii

Christina "Chrissy" Hogarth

Christina "Chrissy" Hogarth

Christina "Chrissy" Hogarth

California

Jeremy Kama Hopkins

Christina "Chrissy" Hogarth

Jeremy Kama Hopkins

Hawaii

Ray Forton

Diane Nalini

Jeremy Kama Hopkins

Maryland

Aaron Keim

Diane Nalini

Diane Nalini

Oregon

Diane Nalini

Diane Nalini

Diane Nalini

Canada

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