Tag Archives: Free Ukulele Tutorials

Cutie Circle’s 12th Birthday Celebration — Music in the Square

In collaboration with the City of Port Coquitlam, Cutie Circle is bringing two world-renowned ukulele artists to Leigh Square for an afternoon of workshops, concerts and a ukulele jam!

Intended for ukulele players and music lovers alike, this event will show the audience some ukulele techniques; entertain via various music genres played through the lens of this happiest instrument on Earth; and engage the community in an open jam for a hearty singalong !

Program

Check-in (for registered attendees who would like to receive workshop and jam packages)

01:00 PM onwards

Workshops

02:00 PM – 03:40 PM

Concerts

03:40 PM – 04:30 PM

Ukulele Jam

04:30 PM – 05:00 PM

About the Artists

David Chen

A leading figure in the Ukulele world from Taiwan — performer, author, and educator across Greater China.

He graduated from York University in UK for his master degree, now is the president of Chung Hua International Ukulele Association in Taiwan.

David Chen is a key promoter of the ukulele in the Chinese-speaking world, devoted to music education and international cultural exchange. He has served as a special guest ukulele instructor for companies such as Alibaba Group and Apple Shanghai Headquarters. He is widely recognized as a renowned performer, best-selling author, and educator in Taiwan, China, Singapore and Malaysia.

David is particularly known for his unique “Hawaiian Two-Finger Style,” which has captured attention across the industry. He has held solo ukulele concerts at prestigious venues like Shanghai Concert Hall and Shenzhen Concert Hall, delivering emotionally rich and technically refined performances.
As the founder and organizer of the Taiwan and Shanghai International Ukulele Festivals, David has played a crucial role in fostering the ukulele boom in Greater China, while also promoting deep international collaborations among performers.

He is the author of over seven instructional books, including the best-selling “24 Essential Ukulele Lessons”, the first comprehensive ukulele textbook for Chinese readers, and the highly acclaimed “Perfect Hawaiian Two-Finger Arrangements.”

David’s unique style has made him beloved by ukulele enthusiasts around the world. He has been invited to perform and teach in over 20 countries and cities, including Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, and the Americas, continuing to spread the charm of the ukulele worldwide.

Always with me

Demo of Two-finger style

Eduardo García

Eduardo is a multi-instrumentalist originally from Mexico who arrived in Vancouver in 2017.

He has been a full time Ukulele Instructor since 2012. He was the founder/director of the Academia de Ukuleles de la Ribera (Lakeside Ukulele Academy), a self-financed music school that provides instruments and free music lessons to all children in his community and that continues to this day.

He was a feature performer at the Vancouver Ukulele Festival in 2018 and 2019; the Ajijic Ukulele Retreat (Mexico) in 2017 and 2019; the Seoul International Aloha Ukulele Festival (South Korea) in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025; the Kamloops Ukulele Festival (Canada) in 2022, 2024 and 2026, the Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival (Canada) in 2025, and was featured in the International spotlight of the Ukulele Festival Hawai’i in 2021, among other online ukulele events organized in Japan, Brazil, Canada and USA.

Autumn Leaves

Undertale

Acknowledgement

We thank the City of Port Coquitlam for financially supporting this event at the beautiful Leigh Square.

Event Details

Date: Sunday · July 5, 2026
Time: 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Location: Leigh Square, 2253 Leigh Square Place, Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free

Ticket and Registration:
To receive a free workshop and jam package at the event, register at Eventbrite by June 29:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/music-in-the-square-tickets-1992175794429?

Parking Map: https://maps.portcoquitlam.ca/portal/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=2e0c6ce36b334b1c9aab01b949d5cb8b

What to Bring for the Workshops and/or Jam

Participants are encouraged to bring their own ukulele, music stand, digital tuner and clips (or clothes pins) for fastening songsheets.

What to Bring for the Concerts

While there will be benches on site, please feel free to bring chairs or blankets. Also, attendees can feel free to bring hats. There are eateries nearby for a quick snack or beverage.

Cutie Circle’s 2020 Ukulele Workshop Series Postponed Indefinitely

In light of the current Public Health Agency of Canada’s guidance on Covid-19, Cutie Circle volunteers (aka Cuties) deeply regret to announce that the Sixth Annual Ukulele Workshop Series for Absolute Beginners will be postponed indefinitely in order to help mitigate disease transmission in the community-at-large.

In the meantime, ukulele kits (including instruction books) are available for loan from your local Fraser Valley Regional Library locations should aspiring students seek to have an early start on their ukulele journey via self-study.

We hope to offer it again at a future date and it will be announced on our website. If you would like to be informed by email, please feel free to complete the “Join Us” form to be added to our mailing list.

We have included below the general details about our workshop series for information only.

Stay healthy, hydrated, happy and safe.

Intended for absolute beginners with little to no background in music, this workshop will give participants some basic knowledge to begin a journey into music using the happiest instrument on earth.

It was a fantastic experience for attendees and volunteers alike and we can hardly wait to meet everyone and spread the joy of ukulele this spring.

Many of our students have gone on to share music by volunteering their time to perform at municipal and regional events and/or to teach ukulele to other seniors and children in the community.

Photo Credit: Helena M.

We thank the City of Port Coquitlam for offering the beautiful Michael Wright Art Gallery at Leigh Square for this workshop free of charge.

Gathering Place, Leigh Square Community Arts Village

Date: Postponed Indefinitely
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Location: Michael Wright Art Gallery, Gathering Place, 2253 Leigh Square Place, Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free
Pre-registration is currently closed.

Courtesy of City of Port Coquitlam

Workshop Requirements

Participants are encouraged to bring their own ukulele, music stand, digital tuner and copy of the textbook, Ukulele for Dummies, 2nd Edition. (Please do not be offended by the title of this rather good publication.)

Ukulele Kits Loaning Program

We have acquired a few sets of ukuleles, music stands, digital tuners and textbooks (with our personal funds) for loaning to participants who do not own any equipment, upon receipt of a refundable deposit of $60. Please do not mark in (and/or damage) the loaner textbooks (otherwise the deposit will be forfeited). Participants can reserve a set when they register using the form below.

Ukulele Scholarship Initiative

We are in the process of establishing a small scholarship for a few keen students who might otherwise not be able to afford to buy their own ukuleles to continue their music journey upon conclusion of our ukulele workshop series. Those who would like to donate any ukulele in good condition (new or used) to this scholarship program are welcome to contact us. We will put you and the recipient in touch.

2019 Ukulele Scholarship Winners

Ukulele Lending, Rental and Sales in the Region

As some of you have asked about the availability of ukuleles in the region, we have made some inquiries at local stores.

Empire Music has a selection of ukuleles available via its website. For pick-up orders only (with a 24-hour advance notice because the company is a warehouse not a store-front), our students can pick up their orders in person to save on shipping.
Empire Music has generously offered us a discount on the ukuleles we purchased for this workshop.
Long & McQuade (Port Coquitlam) has ukuleles for sale and can offer a payment plan. The store also offers special discounts on ukuleles for all Cuties. The discounts can range from 9% to 15% depending on the make and model of the ukulele. Mention Cutie Circle at time of purchase to receive the discount. Ask for Brandon Smith for further assistance. (Information current as of March 24, 2017.)
Tom Lee Music (Coquitlam) has offered participants of this workshop a 10% discount on regular-priced ukuleles and music books. Please contact Dallas Todd or Adam Dean at the store and mention you are a participant of this workshop to receive a discount. (Information current as of March 14, 2017.)
Tapestry Music has offered participants of this workshop store discounts on regular-priced ukuleles. Please contact Michael Sabourin at the store and mention you are a participant of this workshop.

Disclosure: We do not receive commission from any of these merchants. They are mentioned here as a service to the participants only.

Michael Wright Art Gallery, Gathering Place

Ukulele Lending Collection at the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL)

Cutie Circle and Terry Fox Library collaborated in the Fall of 2016 to create the Uke ‘n Play ukulele public lending collection. The Cutie Circle, Empire Music, King’s Music, Ohana Music and our good friend, Linda Thiessen, collectively donated 50 ukulele kits (including ukuleles, gig bags and tuners) and the FVRL rounded out the collection with ukulele instruction books and plastic containers for each kit. Library patrons of the 25 FVRL branches (from Port Coquitlam to Boston Bar) can now borrow ukuleles for free. In fact, InterLink Library network cardholders in the surrounding region (e.g., Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley) can borrow ukuleles in person at FVRL locations as well. A further 20 ukulele kits were donated to FVRL in the Fall of 2017 by King’s Music and the Cutie Circle.

Ukulele Jam and Lessons at Ioco Ghost Town Day Festival

The Cuties are pleased to be participating at the Ioco Ghost Town Day Festival this year.

On Saturday, September 21, join us for a free outdoor movie hosted by Outdoor Movies BC and Port Moody Station Museum at 7:30pm at Ioco Lawn Bowling Green, Ioco Road and 1st Avenue, Port Moody. The film is Night at the Museum. Bring a jacket, a chair and / or a blanket and enjoy!

Join us on Sunday, September 22, for some ukulele jam and sing-a-long. We’ll also be giving free ukulele lessons to the public. Learn to play a song on the ukulele in one minute! There will be lots of family-friendly entertainment and activities on site, including the Home Made Pie Contest, line dancing, fire truck display, walk-around magic show, balloon artists, pony rides, trolley tours, food vendors, blessing for people and pets, and more.

We’ll be at Booth #10 (see map below).

Location: Ioco Road and 1st Avenue, Port Moody
Time: 12 noon to 4pm

Stage Schedule

12:00 – 12:20pm: Welcome
12:20 – 01:20pm: The Bird and the Lion
01:20 – 01:40pm: Line Dancing with Corrina Goodman
01:40 – 02:40pm: The Lion and the Bird
02:40 – 04:00pm: Nigel Tucker

See you all there!

Cutie Circle’s Ukulele Concert at Brookmere Park Opening on September 21

Join the Cuties on Saturday, September 21, on or off stage for a ukulele concert and an outdoor jam to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Brookmere Park in Coquitlam.

The City of Coquitlam is generously hosting this free public event and providing complimentary picnic lunch and refreshments! Please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/497079014187368/ to RSVP and reserve your spot!

Cuties will also be providing free ukulele lessons at their tent to all interested ukulele enthusiasts!!! Bring your friends, family and ukuleles. There will also be ukuleles on site for visitors to learn to play a song in one minute!

Be sure to come, sing, strum and play in Brookmere Park in your tropical attire!

Free music, free food and friendship! We’ll see you all there!

Bring your lawn chair or picnic blanket (and music stand if you are strumming along with us). There are also picnic tables for you to enjoy your complimentary sandwiches, tea, coffee and snacks.

Parking Information

Site Plan

Canada Day Outdoor Ukulele Jam, Parade and Free Lessons in Coquitlam

Cuties are ready to celebrate Canada Day on July 1 with ukulele players of all ages at the City of Coquitlam’s big birthday bash! Join us between noon and 6pm for some singing and strumming! We thank the City of Coquitlam for hosting this family friendly event once again!

For the second year in a row, Cuties will parade a ukulele float to partake in the Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day Parade this year! Come help us strum O Canada!.

1. Canada Day Parade (11:40 am to 12:30 pm)

Assemble at 11:40 a.m. at the gravel lot adjacent to the tennis courts.
The procession starts at 12 noon.

Please feel free to wear your cultural attire and/or festive red/white Canada Day wear.

To sign up for the parade, go to the following Doodle Poll (and include your email address in the comments area):

https://doodle.com/poll/ibr5ufucpv5xwum9

2. Outdoor Ukulele Jam (1 to 4 pm)

Our outdoor ukulele jam starts at 1pm. Bring your songbooks, a chair and your music stand. Come with a song to perform! Meet new friends and sing your heart out on Canada Day!

3. Free Ukulele Lessons (Noon to 6 pm)

We will be giving free ukulele lessons from noon to 6pm to all guests wanting to try their hands at a fun and happy instrument.

Students earn certificates for participating in the ukulele lessons! Come also for some mini ukulele bumper stickers and the multi-colour ukulele hand stamps, too!

Learn to play “O Canada!” on the ukulele with us!

Our booth will be located on the Community Drive. Look for the tent with lots of ukuleles, flower leis, music stands and happy smiles!

See the map below for the Community drive where our tent is located.

“Named one of the top 20 festivals in Metro Vancouver by Business in Vancouver, this is a free community festival with live music and entertainment, food, beverages, family activities and fireworks.”

— City of Coquitlam’s Celebrate Canada Day’s webpage

Event Parking

Limited parking will be available. We encourage you to walk, bike, carpool or take transit to the event site. A free bike valet will be available to keep your bike safe and secure during the day. Ride the SkyTrain to the Lafarge Lake-Douglas station, it’s located right beside Town Centre Park and is a short walk from the event site.

A free shuttle bus will run from Glen Eagle Secondary School from 11:30am to 11:30pm. View the parking map below for a list of free public parking in the area.