
Highly recommended. This year was my first, I will be back and I will bring more people with me next year!
We are now accepting applications to appear at the 2026 Allegheny Ukulele Soirée. Apply Here!
Wanting to bring something to share on the mainland, Craig chose to focus on the ukulele before leaving Hawai’i for college. Although Craig had grown up playing the cello and piano, he wanted something that gave a little more distinction of coming from the islands.
During Christmas and summer breaks of his Freshman year at the University of Oregon, Craig has had the pleasure of studying under Jake Shimabukuro and Troy Fernandez. Ever since then Craig has been trying to further experiment with the ukulele in settings that aren’t typically associated with the instrument.
Craig loves collaboration and has enjoyed working with artists such as Aldrine Guerreo & Aaron Nakamura (UkuleleUnderground.com), Ryo Montgomery, Abe Lagrimas Jr., The Quiet American, and his wife, Sarah Maisel. Currently he and Sarah Maisel travel as a duo, performing and teaching ‘ukulele all over the globe, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and across the United States. They were also featured on the cover of ‘Ukulele Magazine and are proud of their Online ‘Ukulele School with Artistworks.
From workshops to individual lessons, Craig has been teaching throughout the past 6 years and couldn’t be happier. Craig often remarks “if I’m not playing at any given moment, I hope to be teaching!” Craig hopes to continue to travel and share his passion for the ukulele and expand on how people view the instrument!
Highly recommended. This year was my first, I will be back and I will bring more people with me next year!
Everyone was friendly and encouraging. The level of the entertainment and instruction was top notch! I am looking forward to returning!
Great people, great fun, great workshops, Great jams and amazing organizers.
Always a great gathering of the ukulele community…a lot to learn and a lot of fun doing it!
An outstanding festival for ukulele players, both beginners and experienced. The ability to interact face-to-face with the amazing guest performers, other uke players, and vendors was invaluable.
The Soirée should win an award for the best organized ukulele festival!
The Soiree is a great program to attend. It is well organized, with a great deal of expertise, thoughtful planning and reasonable fees. Well seasoned presenters make the sessions productive and organized!
Top notch! Fantastic instructors! Very enthusiastic, informative and knowledgeable. Superb presentations. I learned so much this weekend
The Allegheny [Ukulele] Soirée is a ukulele smorgasbord...something for every age, talent level, social class...my friends are there
This festival is well run, feels intimate, and really helped grow my skills and push me to be a better player. I love the teaching artists, and the jams were fun!