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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

Arden Fujiwara

Arden Fujiwara

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!

Arden Fujiwara

Arden Fujiwara

Arden Fujiwara

Seattle, Washington


A hidden gem in the Seattle music scene, Arden proves that the ukulele is more than just a novelty instrument. Born and raised in Hawaii, he learned from ukulele masters such as Jake Shimabukuro and Troy Fernandez, but now forges his own style in Seattle. Arden fuses tradition with the progressive to break the expectations and elevates the ukulele to new boundaries.  


Arden was first introduced to the ukulele in the 4th grade; however, it was not love at first sight. It wasn’t until several years later when he started listening to Ka’au Crater Boys and Pure Heart, when he inspired to pick up the ukulele on his own. From there his skill and love of the ukulele grew exponentially. As the years progressed, he became intrigued by various types of music which reflected Arden’s unique style.

Bob Tigert

Arden Fujiwara

Bob Tigert

Nashville, 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 Ukulele FUNsician from Huntsville, Alabama.


Kirk is asked to be at many ukulele festivals as a teacher and performer. In May of 2022, he helped lead the Alabama Ukulele Festival.

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 and workshop instructor, always producing very professional notes for her workshops.


She has been a student of Vinicius Vivas, who was a big part of the 2022 ukulele festival. She has also been a featured artist for the 2021 online Strathmore Ukulele Festival.

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.

Faith Thompson Ako

Faith Thompson Ako

Faith Thompson Ako

California

The California Bay Area’s Premier female artist in Traditional & Contemporary Hawaiian music. She was one of the five finalist for the 2021 Na Hoku Hanohano Award “Hawaiian Album of the Year”.


Faith was born and raised on Oahu’s north shore. La’ie town was a refuge, a safe haven to raise 15 children of which she was the youngest. Having gifted talented older siblings play instruments and sing in her home daily was a treat. Whether at school or church, this is how Faith began developing her love for music. Piano lessons at an early age was required of me because her older  sister, Hope (and she loves ♥️ her so). Hope took piano lessons and was such a natural at it. I was more happy being a tomboy outdoors climbing trees, running down Temple beach to Goat Island, hiking up to La’ie Falls picking mountain apples, guava and litchi... these were the best times!


This song Behold La'ie is about my home town where I grew up on the North Shore of O'ahu. Written by Aunty Ivy Kekuku for a special couple who loved our little town and would say, "behold La'ie" for all it's beauty!

https://youtu.be/lyeG6ebC2eA



Amy Kucharik

Faith Thompson Ako

Faith Thompson Ako

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.


Amy was a big part of the 2022 ukulele festival in Gaithersburg. She taught many workshops which were well received by the attendees. Her performance on Saturday evening was splendid, performing originals and covers. We are thrilled to have her back for the 2023 festival!

The Maxson's - Uke 66

The Maxson's - Uke 66

The Maxson's - Uke 66

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

The Maxson's - Uke 66

The Maxson's - Uke 66

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

Las Vegas, Neveda

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

 


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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