Jack McFadden from Union Hall told me about Michael Leviton, who’s teaching ukulele to kids. Thanks Jack. This from is from Leviton’s website.

I’ve decided to officially offer ukulele lessons in the New York area!

I’ve been giving ukulele lessons here and there for years now, just whenever someone asked me (there aren’t many ukulele teachers around, apparently). But now I’ve realized that I really truly love giving ukulele lessons and want to have many students.

I’m especially excited about teaching ukulele lessons for kids! Children are among the most fun people to make music with– I’ve had numerous experiences writing songs with kids and performing with kids and it’s always amazing. And I think it’s so unfortunate that most music lessons for kids are like school rather than recess; they learn classical pieces, scales, reading music, things they’re "supposed" to learn, rather than what they want to learn: how to play their favorite songs, and how to write their own songs! And worst of all, most children are forced to start on instruments clearly made for adults, way too large for them!

I find that most children have never even attempted to write a song before– children get to draw and dance and make up stories, but not songs? Why not? Children love music more than anybody! They are given crayons; they should be given ukuleles as well!

Anyway, I guess I’m ranting a bit…but if you want to hear a song I wrote with a bunch of kids helping me with the lyrics, you can hear a live performance of my song "Would You Like to Go to Boring Island?" on youtube here…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDCo1yZIrmM

And if you want ukulele lessons, write me at mleviton@gmail.com!!!