Recognized as "one of the world's top composers for the ukulele" (Rafe Mair, 600AM Vancouver) and a "rare peer" of Hawaii's premier ukulelists (John Berger, Honolulu Star-Bulletin), James has become known worldwide for his imaginative compositions and fearless disregard for the supposed limitations of the ukulele.

Also a passionate teacher, James, who holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia, has presented workshops throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, Sweden and New Zealand. He has twice been invited to teach and perform at the renowned `Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Institute in Waimea, HI and has lectured at the Queen's University School of Music in Kingston, ON.

Visit James online at www.ukulelejames.com.

"The Father of Canadian ukulele," Chalmers Doane pioneered the use of ukulele in the school classroom over forty years ago. Chalmers conceived of the ukulele as a vehicle for musicianship, thus his emphasis on music theory, sight-reading, ear training, singing, solo performance, and ensemble playing. At the same time, he saw the ukulele as a serious musical instrument, one capable of expressing a wide range of emotion and providing a great deal of personal joy.

His infectious charisma and positive approach to music education inspired other teachers to follow his lead. The Doane ukulele program, with its beginnings in the Halifax elementary public schools, would ultimately reach over 50,000 school children and adults throughout Canada and the United States.

Recently made a member of both the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada, Chalmers maintains a busy schedule as a teacher and performer in the Halifax, N.S. area.

Visit Chalmers online at www.chalmersdoane.com.

Peter is currently in his 30th year as the director of the internationally acclaimed Langley Ukulele Ensemble (LUE). The LUE has performed across Canada and the continental USA, Hawaii and Japan. The ensemble presents up to 80 concerts each year including an annual engagement at the Sheraton Waikiki Resort for the past 2 decades. Peter and the ensemble have shared their music at several international, national, and regional festivals, conferences, and workshops. They have produced produced a number of CD recordings were featured in movie Mighty Uke.

Peter has devoted most of his life to working with young musicians, and under his tutelage hundreds of students have had the opportunity to develop their singing and ukulele playing skills while developing positive attitudes toward leadership and showmanship. His efforts have helped establish the community of Langley as the "ukulele capital" of Canada.

Visit Peter and the Langley Ukulele Ensemble online at www.langleyukes.com.

Sparkling with wit, charm and an infectious comic energy, Ralph Shaw is the epitome of the very best that the golden age of British Music Hall and Vaudeville can offer. A versatile musical entertainer and a captivating speaker, Ralph is known across Canada due to his numerous live performances on National CBC with; Bill Richardson, Arthur Black, Shelagh Rodgers and others.

Also a seasoned teacher and music facilitator, Ralph has released several instructional DVDs and is the co-founder of the Vancouver Ukulele Circle.

Visit Ralph online at www.ralphshaw.ca.

A veteran ukulele teacher and the founder of the Island Ukuleles ensemble, Bonnie holds a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Victoria. She currently specializes in curriculum development and design as well as web design and distributed learning.

Bonnie has written for Ukulele Yes! magazine and was a consultant on the Ukulele in the Classroom method book series.

Visit Bonnie online at www.bonitasweb.com.

Kendra (Croft) Simonetto has experienced every part of the ukulele program in Langley, BC. Having started ukulele in elementary school at the age of 10, she then became a member of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble (under the direction of Peter Luongo) for 10 years and then went on to direct the Langley Intermediate "A" Ukulele Ensemble for 11 years. During that time, Kendra became a certified elementary school teacher and has taught ukulele classes ranging from grades 4 to 6. She studied voice privately for 8 years and has been featured as a vocal soloist on various recordings. Kendra currently teaches grade three in Langley, BC and performs with her own acoustic trio of ukulele alumni in the group Exit 58.

Visit Kendra and Exit 58 online at www.exit58.com.

Paul Luongo is currently studying music education at the University of Victoria with hopes of inspiring kids of all ages to incorporate music into their lives. While studying at UVic Paul remains involved with the Langley Ukulele Ensemble and has continued to teach and perform in his spare time.

Over the years Paul has travelled the world performing both as a soloist and as a member of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble. In addition to ukulele, Paul has played violin for many years and has studied with Carla Birston, Calvin Dyck, Ann-Elliott-Goldschmid, and Gwen Thompson. Paul received his Toronto Royal Conservatory grade ten at the age of 16 and has since continued to develop his musicianship at a post-secondary level.

Click here to watch some of Paul's ukulele videos.

A music teacher in a school of nearly 600 Kindergarten through 5th grade students, Larry uses the ukulele as his primary music teaching tool. He also created a free after school music education program that is open to all students. Currently in its 6th year, the program has taught hundreds of students not only the joy of ukulele, but also given them a foundation of musicianship these students will carry with them for a lifetime.

Though he grew up with electric guitars and twangy country music, Larry is a self-described "jazz-a-holic." He is also a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, writing for, performing with, recording, and teaching ukulele, guitar, bass, steel guitar, and mandolin. His current self-indulgent musical project is playing guitar and ukulele in the Hawaiian jazz combo The Hapa Hillbillies. Their latest release is aptly titled I’ve never Been to Hawaii.

Click here to visit Larry and The Hapa Hillbillies online.