Roy Sakuma

Since 1974 Roy & Kathy Sakuma have brought the joy of the ‘ukulele to thousands of students in Hawaii with the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios. Roy’s teaching methodology is unique and revolutionary, allowing anyone to learn and play music with the ‘ukulele. 

In 2004 Roy & Kathy established Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a nonprofit organization, to continue their life’s work of preserving interest in the ‘ukulele and spreading the joy of the instrument. Ukulele Festival Hawaii produces free ukulele festivals and provides scholarships for Hawaii’s youth. 

As a producer of award winning albums, Roy & Kathy Sakuma have brought the versatility of the ukulele to a much wider audience. The Roy Sakuma Productions record label is home to an eclectic, refreshing collection of musical styles. Award winning artists include Ka’au Crater Boys, Ohta San, Herb Ohta Jr., Noel Okimoto, and Holunape.

Sakuma continues to dedicate his life to helping children heal by speaking about his struggles, saying that it is easier to strengthen children than it is to fix a broken adult. He uses music, including songs he has written, to help children accept themselves and find their inner strength.

Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i and is a Japanese/American ‘ukulele player and composer known for his high-energy and enthusiastic strumming. Shimabukuro is a graduate of Kaimuki High School and loves sharing his passion for the ‘ukulele all around the world.
Shimabukuro’s mom started teaching him on a standard sized Kamaka ‘ukulele at the age of four. Shimabukuro now performs and records on a tenor Kamaka ‘ukulele. At age six, Shimabukuro started taking lessons at Roy Sakuma’s ‘Ukulele Studio under the instruction of Tami Akiyama (Omuro). His other teachers include Herb Ohta Jr., Tracey Terada and Roy Sakuma.
Jake has many musical influences, but his top three for the ‘ukulele would be Eddie Kamae, Ohta-San and Peter Moon.
Shimabukuro encourages children to find their passion and be drug-free.
Jake Shimabukuro is often heard saying, “If everyone played the ‘ukulele, the world would be a better place.”

Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel

Craig and Sarah are passionate teachers, having taught and performed world wide. They have a successful Online Ukulele School with ArtistWorks and host Ukulele Cruises and Ukulele Retreats. Their monthly Live Stream Workshops have been broadcasting since 2018, and their joy for teaching always comes through in anything they share. Known for their ability to break down the most complex lessons, they strive to help every student reach their musical goals.

Both Craig and Sarah are excited to be back in Honolulu, HI, where Craig was born and raised.

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. His contribution to the collective The Akira Project, won his first Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in 2014 before moving up to the Pacific Northwest. Since then he has been nominated for the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for ‘Ukulele Album of the Year two years consecutively for ‘Ukulele Paintings and The Spotless Mind in 2017 & 2018, started his own ‘ukulele practice in the Pacific Northwest, and has toured from Vancouver Island BC to Milwaukee to his home state, Hawai’i . Neal currently lives, teaches, and performs in Seattle, WA.