Rachel Manke

Rachel Manke began playing the uke in 1999, in preparation of Y2K, when we were all supposed to become nomads following a complete technology meltdown. Well, alright, that was silly. Still, it turned out to be a good decision.

The Ukulele Teacher

Hello, it's me...The Ukulele Teacher! 

Back in 2011 I started making YouTube videos on my old iPhone 3 as a joke to pass the time. Over a decade later I'm still making videos - but I now have over 1.4 million subscribers, have worked with the likes of Barclaycard and McDonald's, recorded with Mark Ronson at Abbey Road Studios, been invited to the Brit Awards, and wrote a song about tuna sandwiches for Dick n Dom. 

Curt Sheller

Curt Sheller's primary focus since 2003 has been performing jazz and contemporary music using the ukulele as his principal instrument, as well as presenting workshops and performing at various ukulele festivals throughout the year. 

Ray Cygrymus

Ray Cygrymus has taught elementary school music for over thirty years, most recently specializing in ukulele instruction in the classroom. He has lived in the Pittsburgh area his entire life, and attended Duquesne University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, with an emphasis on voice. 

Chrissy

Chrissy is an international performer and Kanile'a Ukulele endorsed artist, singer/songwriter, film composer, and educator. She has headlined festivals including the Melbourne Ukulele Festival and The Gaithersburg Ukulele Festival. She has scored the music for two award-winning feature films: Highest Point (with Bernard De La Cour) and With Flying Colours (with Liam Fox O’Brien). 

Neal Chin

Award winning artist and Maui, HI native Neal Chin, has been both an ‘ukulele educator and performer over the course of his musical career of 19 years. His clear and direct enthusiasm for music has come to life in countless workshops, concerts, and private instruction. While his heart is in jazz, Neal has played with many musicians of different genres including Hawaiian, folk, rock, and hip-hop.

Lucy Nickerson

Lucy Nickerson is from Cresson, PA.  She is a 2003 graduate of Mount Aloysius College with a BA in English.  When she is not playing ukulele she is practicing her  juggling or participating in community theater.

Melanie Ramsey

Melanie Ramsey is the former Children's Librarian at Hollisdaysburg Area Public Library and the current Director of Community Relations for the Borough of Hollidaysburg.  Melanie is a classically-trained violist and plays with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra and pit orchestras throughout the area. She also teaches private viola, violin, and ukulele lessons. Melanie sits on the Board of many local organizations, including the Allegheny Ukulele Kollective. 

Ed Smith

Ed works in Human Resources Information Technology and has been playing music since he was young, He has played piano, guitar, and ukulele over the years, recently returning to music via his daughter learning ukulele. In addition to music, he enjoys tinkering with instruments and electronics and spends many weekends volunteering as an Adult Leader for Moraine Trails Council BSA.