(MUSIC) - Ukulele for Kids - Grades 1-4

TIME:  Every Wednesday 1:10 -3pm, (except on school holidays). Students can enter the classroom after 1pm. 

VENUE: Math Classroom, WIWS (next to the main office classroom)

TUITION: $140/month (Jan-May),  $70 for June (half month) 

Playing a musical instrument is like fireworks in your brain! Introducing children to read music during the time when language acquisition is most easily assimilated helps foster lifelong learning skills and problem-solving skills.  Learning to play an instrument with a group of friends is one of the best ways to cultivate joy and a sense of belonging.

In this ukulele class led by experienced instructor Kimmer Morris, kids will get to play the ukulele, sing songs, play music games, critical music listening skills, and unwinding/relaxing to music.  We will also spend time outside with free time for some fresh air and children will have a collection of songs they can tuck in their ukulele cases and bring home.  

UKULELES ARE AVAIBLE IN CLASS FOR CLASSROOM USE.  If students are committed to the course, they should purchase their own ukuleles for home practice.  

Over a few months your child will know how to play several chords on the ukulele, strum a steady beat and sing some of the songs we have covered in class.  Some of the older children will learn the actual melodies of a few songs in addition to basic music theory.

NOTE: This class is not for complete beginners. It's a continuation of the first Ukulele class that took place in the 2023 fall semester. Current students in the class have learned basic notes and played simple songs (but are still at beginner level).  New students who want to join need to have basic music experience - or else, they can sign up for a couple of tutoring sessions with Miss Kimmer to catch up with the rest of the class.

WARNING: playing the ukulele can become contagious!

About the instructor 

Kimmer spent her childhood on Whidbey Island and enjoyed playing piano, then recorder, then settled on the violin through Island Strings with the Suzuki Method. She also was very involved with the High School band on Saxophone, Jazz Choir, and theater. Painting murals also occupied her time where she eventually painted a two-part retrograde canon by Bach at Western Washington University in Bellingham while getting her Music Education degree.

Kimmer came back to Whidbey in 1986 and taught K-7 music at South Whidbey School District for 31 years, teaching general music, recorders, ukulele, orchestra, choir, movement, P.E., Highly Capable program, Jr. Waste Warrior recycling program and helped start the very first Good Cheer school Garden.  She also coached teams for the Math Olympiad.  During this time she also earned her Masters in Creative Arts and Learning, was a founding member of Whidbey Island Marimba and performed in numerous bands either playing the violin, viola, voice, saxophone, ukulele, or harmonium.

In 2017 Kimmer resigned from South Whidbey School District and became a Certified Hanna Somatic Educator and Fascia Release Instructor which she continues to do today, part time.

In the 2023-24 school year, Kimmer is the string teacher for grades 4-8 at WIWS.