SMMC would like to congratulate ukulele student Ava Mabra. for earning the “Student Of The Month” award for April 2026! Ava has been taking ukulele lessons with SMMC since November of last year. In that short amount of time, Ava has proven to be a dedicated student! Ava rarely cancels her lesson and when she does, is apt to reschedule for another time. Week after week, she comes in prepared and having learned the previous weeks lesson with minimal mistakes. She has learned how to read music notation, understands chord grids and strumming patterns and is able to play a variety of songs from her books. All great accomplishments in a short amount of time!
Should I Take Ukulele Lessons?
The short, easy answer to this is YES!
Everyone knows and recognizes the ukulele. It’s delightful sound and character are a treat to listen to! Yet not many parents or students consider it as a good choice for a first instrument. In another blog, we’ve gone into detail on the subject: “6 Reasons To Learn Ukulele”. Briefly, ukulele’s are affordable and you can get a quality instrument between $75-$100. Our Center stocks a wide variety of them in our online store and at our Mission showroom! They are very portable and light, so they can be easily taken anywhere a student goes. These instruments are not too loud in comparison to other choices, so a student can easily practice at home without disrupting anyone else. Lastly, the instrument itself is comparatively easy to learn right from the start. With plush nylon strings, a student experiences less discomfort in comparison to guitar.
The ukulele comes from the island of Hawaii but was brought there by Portuguese immigrants. Adoption into Hawaiian culture and art is attributed to King David Kalākaua. King Kalākaua was not only a fan of the instrument, he played it himself. He incorporated into all Hawaiian festivals and performances. This helped cement the instrument as a part of Hawaiian culture. Hence, it’s found it’s way to the mainland. Here in the US (and around the world), the ukulele has been featured a many pop music hits! These include Billie Eilish’s “Party Favor” and “8“, Vance Joy’s popular hit “Riptide” and Train’s ever popular “Hey Soul Sister” to name just a few.
In Her Teacher’s Words
Ava takes ukulele lessons at SMMC with Mr. Scott Nadeau. Scott is a graduate from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Art in Music Business. Scott is a guitarist, bass guitarist and vocalist who has collaborated with numerous groups. Scott’s experiences have seen him perform in genre’s that include jazz, rock, pop, acoustic songwriter, alternative, country and blues to name a few. With over 15 years of experience as a music teacher, he is passionate about helping students achieve their musical goals. Of Ava, Mr. Scott writes:
“Ava is an incredibly bright ukulele student who shines in her lessons. With her consistent practice schedule, she has been able to consistently be prepared for lessons and quickly learn new songs. She plays with great note accuracy for her age and has finished ukulele lesson books with impressive speed. Ava often reads a few pages ahead to be extra prepared for future lesson material! She is a strong sight-reader with a keen eye for the treble clef. Ava is well on her way to becoming a ukulele Rock Star! “
Ava’s Lesson Performance
Prior to presenting Ava with her certificate, we snuck into her lesson with Mr. Scott to record her performing. Check out Ava in the short video below!
In Her Own Words
Time for the “Question and Answer”! Here is what Ava had to share:
1. How long have you been playing and what do you like most about playing it?
“I’ve been playing ukulele for about 7 months. I like learning new songs and being able to play for my family.”
2. How did you get started playing and why did you decide to take lessons?
“When I was little, I had a toy ukulele. I kept telling my grandmother that I wanted to take lessons, so she signed me up. I’m so glad she did because I enjoy it a lot!”
3. How do you make time to practice? Do you have any advice for students who struggle with consistent practice?
“I simply practice a little everyday. My advice to others is to pick songs they like and practice a little each day. Also, find a quiet room to practice in.”
4. If any, who are the artists you look up and why do you like them?
“I look up to my teacher, Mr. Scott. He’s a good singer, ukulele player, and he’s very nice.”
5. What is your favorite food, movie/tv show, video game, etc.?
“My favorite food is rice and soup, my favorite movie is How To Train Your Dragon and my favorite video game is “The Legend of Zelda.”
6. Besides music, what are your top 3 activities you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to play with my sister, spend time with my family and catch lizards!”
7. What have you done in the past year that you consider to be the most fun?
“I went to Zion National Park and hined ‘The Narrows’ with my family. We actually walked through the river for over 6 miles!”
Thank you for sharing Ava!
Start Your Musical Journey
Surely, you or your child are ready to get yourselves started on your musical journey! In that case, our wonderful teachers are eager to work with you. Study with degreed educators who have years of experience. Whether you are a beginner, have not played for years, or looking to make the jump to intermediate or advance level, our teachers have the tools to help you achieve your ambition! Book a trial lesson today!