Learn from uke masters

TWO of Australia’s ukelele experts will be sharing their skills with an interactive workshop next month.

Organised by CresFest, the sessions will be led by AJ Leonard and Jenny Rowlands and will have a Hawaiian theme.

“It will be tailored to people who are novices, and we are hoping it will upskill us, inspire us and give us insight into a different type of music,” said Robyn Jones, a member of the CresFest team.

“I think Hawaiian music is so uplifting, it’s a bit like in the middle of winter bringing a tropical paradise,” she said.

Ukelele has become an important part of the music scene in Creswick, with a Ukestra meeting weekly.

Ms Jones said these sessions are a great way to get started, and for those who wish to continue learning, they can join the group.

“Many of us were novice players and we started out with simple songs and we’ve progressed since then,” she said.

“We’re trying to embrace different kinds of genre of music.”

This group has provided a place for Ms Jones to rediscover her love of music and she encourages the community to get involved.

“I didn’t play ukelele when I started two years ago and for me it got me back into enjoying music and meeting a whole lot of people locally,” she said.

“It’s uplifting for the soul.”

The first session will be held on Thursday 3 August from 2.30pm until 4.30pm at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre.

The second session will run on the same day from 7pm until 9pm at Mungo Park’s Great Hall Newlyn and tickets for each session are $15.

Leonard and Rowlands will then be performing on Friday 4 August at Leaver’s Hotel as part of CresFest’s Folkie Fridays where participants from the sessions will have a chance to join in.

More information and booking links can be found on the CresFest Facebook page.