Why do I lead the Happy Valley Ukes?

Posted by on April 9th 2021 @ 2:13 am

I know the past year has been hard for most everyone. While I’m actually grateful for the extra time I’ve had with my little family, whom I love to hang out with, I am at times prone to rumination and depression. Isolation really drove that side of me home. There were a lot of things this year that intensified that darker side of my personality, but I felt the greatest loss in not being able to get together and make music with people …

When I entered high school I intended to become a visual artist. Somehow, long story, I ended up taking choir and marching band instead of art. Just like that I got hooked on music, but not just any music … group music. I grew up in a musical household (my dad was a band director), but I’d never really experienced the high and the comradery that is born out of making music live with other human beings … it enhances and deepens the power of music in so many ways. When I got interested in ukulele a decade ago, I recognized it as a way to get others together making music and experiencing that joy. People who might not have had a chance to do so in the past. That is the reason for Happy Valley Ukes.

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Ryan's favorite starter ukulele: The Enya Nova U Concert Ukulele 23” on Amazon sounds great, is easy to play, in tune and nearly indestructable. "I left it in the car through the heat of summer to see what would happen, and it still plays beautifully."

Post filed under All UkulelePlay! Blog Posts.

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