
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!
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Sarah Maisel has always had a love for music. At the age of 6, she began violin lessons and played in youth orchestras for several years. Her focus was primarily classical for the 10 years she studied.
Sarah took a break from music in college, following her other passion, theatre. She studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she received her BFA in Costume Technology. After graduating in 2004, she moved out to San Diego, California to work for the La Jolla Playhouse and the University of California San Diego Theatre Department.
In September 2006, Sarah was introduced to the ‘ukulele and renewed her passion for music. Studying under Frank Leong, Sarah dove into the jazz stylings of golden age Hawai'i songs and arrangements inspired by ‘ukulele legends like Lyle Ritz, Benny Chong and Byron Yasui. She focused her time and effort working on Jazz Standards and arrangements. In 2009, Frank introduced Sarah to a local producer whom with, she subsequently recorded 3 albums.
Since her humble beginnings, Sarah has become a world travel with her performing partner (and husband), Craig Chee. Both perform and teach ‘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. With all of this, for Sarah, her greatest joy is sharing music with her students.
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!