Since early 2020, internationally-renowned musicians and ArtistWorks ukulele instructors Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel have hosted a private monthly livestreamed event exclusively for their students here at ArtistWorks. These live broadcasts are consistently packed with a plethora of information on all things ukulele, covering topics ranging from playing techniques to Hawaiian language and music, instrument care, and beyond. It’s no surprise—there’s also plenty of playing, singing, and music.

Craig and Sarah frequently feature a monthly guest speaker in each of these virtual events, with the goal of exposing their students to other amazing musicians and educators as well as a variety of different ukulele playing styles and techniques. Previous guests in these events have included musicians such as Herb Ohta Jr., Kalei Gamiao, Aaron & Nicole Keim (of The Quiet American), and Lina Langi.

For January 2022’s live broadcast, Craig and Sarah decided to format the show slightly differently and invited one of their long-time students, Diane Nalini, to join them on the livestream.

LEARN MORE: Want to learn how to play ukulele from master musicians like Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel? Try some free online ukulele lessons now!

Diane has been a student of Craig and Sarah’s since the very beginning, and joined ArtistWorks when their ukulele course launched in 2016. An accomplished jazz vocalist and musician of over 20 years, Diane joined Craig and Sarah’s course never having touched a ukulele, but her passion for jazz and the motivation to bring the ukulele into her jazz performance inspired her to enroll. Now, she performs and even teaches at ukulele festivals and events around the globe.

When asked about her experience learning at ArtistWorks, Diane said, “In addition to Craig and Sarah's outstanding teaching and wonderful, encouraging, and helpful Video Exchange responses, one of the things that I love about the ArtistWorks course is the wonderful and supportive community of fellow ukulele students.”

Watch Diane and her quartet perform Antônio Carlos Jobim’s bossanova classic, “Agua de Beber:”

In the last several years, Diane has performed and taught at some of the world’s premier ukulele festivals including the Strathmore UkeFest, the MidWest Uke Camp, UketoberFest, and the Port Townsend Ukulele Festival. Last year, she started an online Ukulele Jazz Festival, where she was delighted to welcome Sarah and Craig among the teaching artists. This year's festival, taking place May 21 and 22, 2022, will see Craig and Sarah returning as faculty and guest performers.

Watch the full recap of Craig and Sarah’s January 2022 livestream event featuring Diane Nalini here:

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Have you always wanted to learn how to play the ukulele? Through our comprehensive ukulele lessons online and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn from internationally renowned players, like Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel, and get personal feedback on your playing.

Craig and Sarah’s course starts with the basics and teaches everything from beginner ukulele to advanced performance techniques and tunes. So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, all levels are welcome and all students will grow and improve their skills as ukulele players and musicians!

Try out some free sample music lessons here and see what makes ArtistWorks courses some of the best online music lessons around!

READ MORE:

Ukulele Lesson: Introduction to Barre Chords with Craig Chee

ArtistWorks Music Series Podcast—Building Your Practice Roadmap: Craig & Sarah

Craig Chee’s Guide to Ukulele Improvisation