One-On-One Private Ukulele Lessons

✨ Note 12/22/24: at this time, the dropdown menu to specify which teacher you would like to sign up with seems to have been removed. If you would like to sign up with a specific teacher, please contact us directly through this page (click "ask a question" below) and we are happy to assist while this is being resolved. 

Welcome to private ukulele lessons with Blue Cat Music!

This class will vary based on the skill level of the student. Any student from beginner to more advanced may take lessons!  One-on-one interaction with the instructor will ensure students will receive constant feedback on their ukulele playing. The class will follow the Hal Leonard Ukulele method and/or other supplementary materials depending on student level.  All of our teachers have 3 or more years experience teaching ukulele, and/or a degree in music.  The ukulele is also a great stepping stone to the guitar for beginners with smaller hands.

A beginner class will run as follows:

In the first class session, students will learn about the basics of ukulele including parts of the instrument, how to hold it, and names of the open strings. They will receive instruction on how to tune the uke if necessary. 

We will learn basic chords such as C and A minor, how to read a chord diagram, and strategies for how to get the best sound out of the instrument.

The class will continue with learning more chords, and using strumming patterns and techniques to play along with simple and later more advanced tunes. Students will also learn about music theory concepts such as tempo, rhythm and how to read music from popular method books. 

Our Teachers:

Alexandra Rhoads - Alexandra has been teaching music lessons for over 15 years. She earned her Master’s in Education from George Mason University in 2012 and has taught full-time as a special education teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools at the elementary and high school levels. Alexandra has been a performing musician and songwriter in the Northern Virginia area both with a band (Spectra) and as a solo artist for over 15 years. She has released two studio albums entitled “Room to Breathe” (2007) and “All This Time” (2016) in which she performed all vocal, guitar, and piano tracks, and received a Silver award in the Rock category of the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest in 2016. Additionally, she has been nominated for 3 Washington Area Music Awards. She has a background in classical, rock, pop, and blues styles on both piano and guitar.  Alexandra’s goals in teaching are to broaden her students’ knowledge of music, help them reach their full potential, and allow them to learn music that they are excited about. She is passionate about sharing her love of music with her students!

Steve Housewright - Steve Housewright has been teaching guitar and ukulele for 25 years. During that time he has taught hundreds of youth ages 5 to 17 through after school programs, in schools, libraries and privately. He has worked with several nonprofits in St. Louis and Los Angeles including the Strings Attached project, Sir Charles Blues Lab with Ray Charles and Heart of Los Angeles Youth (HOLA) in bringing music education to underserved communities.
Steve's work has been supported by numerous music education foundations including Les Paul Foundation, Fender Music Foundation, Mockingbird Foundation and as a Music Fellow with the Jubilation Foundation.  He has played guitar since the age of 6 and played professionally as a backup musician and as a studio recording artist. 

Levi Carpman - Levi Carpman is a Northern Colorado based musician, educator, and producer. He attended the University of Northern Colorado where he received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Levi has been teaching since 2019 in a variety of settings ranging from private lessons to directing a state finalist marching band percussion section. He has experience with a variety of genres, allowing lessons to be tailored around the interests of the student, and his main goal is always to help students find the joy in music.