Ukulele: Back to the 80s
- In-Person Classes
- Instrumental
- Roots
*THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS*
From post-punk, new wave, and mall pop to power ballads and hair metal, the 1980s were a time of both superficial escapism and dystopian social commentary, with MTV as a powerful vehicle for new music. In this workshop, we’ll play totally awesome popular and influential songs of the 1980s, with an emphasis on strumming and singing for both solo performance and uke group participation. There will be opportunities to play ensemble arrangements for players of various skill levels. Topics will include strumming rhythms, fingerpicking riffs, barre chords, embellishments, choosing keys/arranging for ukulele and more.
Class Schedule
Wednesdays: Sep. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8
Time: 6:30-7:45 pm ET
Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA(Classrooms are located on the second floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)
Ages: 18+
Please Note:Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to run. If canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.
Amy Kucharik
Amy Kucharik [/kuh-CHAR-ick/] has played ukulele as her primary instrument for more than a decade. In addition to teaching private lessons and weekly classes, Amy teaches and performs at ukulele workshops throughout the Eastern US including Rochester’s Flower City Ukulele Festival in 2019 and the Gaithersburg Ukefest (MD) in 2022 and 2023. As a performer, Amy energizes swing dances, festivals and listening rooms alike. Amy performs as a one-woman band with ukulele, tenor guitar, foot percussion, mouth trumpet and harmonica, or with bands featuring top New England musicians. Combining poignant lyrics and a danceable swing, Amy’s music has drawn comparisons to Maria Muldaur, Lake Street Dive, and Anais Mitchell. She draws from blues and Vaudeville traditions, musical theatre, 80s pop and contemporary folk music with a street-smart stagecraft honed in the subways of Boston. Amy was a winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition and a formal showcase artist at SWRFA in 2015, a NERFA DJ showcase artist in 2016, and a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist for 2018. Her second full-length album of original music was released in 2018. She is a Mi-Si Electronics performing artist.
