How wonderful to meet Elizabeth, a lovely woman whose BIG ukulele dream is to see ukulele change the world with peace and love! Unusually, I am sharing Elizabeth's biography simply because it really shows the growing passion and evolution of her ukulele journey. There are so many wonderful pieces to this story, including a Youtube Music channel link (below) and hints and tips on variou travel spots & musical highlights. I'm sure you can relate to this charming story and I hope it encourages your own ukketastic travels! Aloha.

Ukulele biography

2009

Boughtfirst ukulele February Tanglewood tenor from Professional Music Systems Hobart

Attendedfirst ukulele festival July Cairns- Seaman Dan, Matt Dahlberg, Azo Bell,purchased art uke

2010

PerformedCygnet Folk Festival with The CBs

PurchasedBeltona tenor resonator ukulele from Beltona NZ (online)

PurchasedGoldtone tenor banjo ukulele from Elderly Instruments US (online)

EstablishedYouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethShannonAUS

2011

PurchasedPeter’s first ukulele Tanglewood soprano Professional Music Systems Hobart

PurchasedTanglewood baritone from Professional Music Systems Hobart

2012

AttendedMelbourne Ukulele Festival, purchased art uke

Startedplaying for a friends’ mother at an aged care facility

2013

AttendedOrewa Ukulele Festival New Zealand ‘Ukulele Heaven’, played in the whiteboard concert

PurchasedCook Islands ukulele from Auckland Market

2015

AttendedMandorah Ukulele and Folk Festival, played in whiteboard concert

PurchasedKanile’a K-1 T with pickup from Music City Cairns

2017

Attended Geraldine UkuleleFestival New Zealand

Subscribedto Kamuke Ukulele Magazine and Ukulele magazines (2017-2021)

2020

Pausedregular performances at aged care facility

Retiredfrom paid work

2021

Restartedperformances at aged care facilities – currently 5 homes in Hobart, 1 innorthern Tasmania, 1 in Brisbane (annual)

Attendedfirst Launceston Ukulele Jamboree

2024

AttendedMelbourne Ukulele Festival

Other

Also hostAnnual Thanksgiving house parties/sessions, attend Cygnet Folk Festivals, AustralianCeltic Festival 2023, Melbourne Celtic Festival 2024, National Folk Festival2026, Uke to Bridge online group

Key messages

Look at the whole package – in tune ukes, singing, personality, musicality, dress-ups:Communicate!

Volunteer,mix with other people, instruments, styles. Have fun!