2026 ARTISTS & INSTRUCTORS

Sponsored by Ohana Ukuleles 

Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, and author who plays drums, vibraphone, and ukulele professionally. A Berklee graduate and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, he’s released albums in the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, and tours worldwide regularly as an Ohana artist.

Based in California’s Imperial Valley, Bernadette Mata is an educator, YouTuber, and ukulele artist who started by sharing videos from her elementary music classroom in Okinawa, Japan. With a master’s in education, a bachelor’s in music, and a teaching credential, she creates beginner-friendly content that’s accessible for all ages.

What began in 2010 as a two-month beginner ukulele class at the Culver City Senior Center has grown into a vibrant global ‘ohana of players. Through in-person jams, online classes, and community outreach—including music therapy at UCLA Children’s Hospital—the CC Strummers, led by Cali Rose, continue to share the joy of learning, laughter, and connection through the ukulele.

Sponsored by Kanile'a Ukulele & Guitar

Craig & Sarah are world-traveling performing artists, inspiring teachers, and visionary event organizers. For over 15 years, they’ve headlined ukulele festivals and events worldwide and their dedication to the global ukulele community is unmatched.

Ian O’Sullivan is the first Hawaiian guitarist accepted into the Yale School of Music (graduated), a classically trained guitarist, composer, and educator from the North Shore of O‘ahu. Equally at home in Hawaiian, classical, and contemporary styles, he has performed across the U.S. and internationally, including at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. 

Sponsored by Kanile'a Ukulele Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Karlie Goya is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and looping artist known for her fresh blend of Pop, R&B, and Island sounds. Her debut EP Till The End and full-length album Have Fun—winner of the 2019 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for R&B Album of the Year—highlight her talent for combining heartfelt lyrics with the vibrant sound of the ‘ukulele.

Sponsored by Koaloha Ukulele — Keʻolu, featuring Hiʻilani Asing, Krystal Mokuahi, and Cory Mau, is a dynamic trio whose rich harmonies bridge traditional Hawaiian and contemporary sounds, blending island favorites with timeless hits from the ’70s, ’80s, and beyond. Their name, derived from the word “ʻOlu,” meaning pleasant, comforting, and nostalgic, reflects their mission: to evoke warmth and aloha in every song they sing.

Melanie Lawson Kareem, raised in a musical, folk-dancing family in Pasadena, CA, developed the “Melanie Method” to help beginners quickly start strumming and singing classic leisure-generation songs. Her online program offers daily live lessons to a vibrant community of ukulele players across the U.S. and beyond.

Hailing from Galveston, Texas, Robert Krout holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Ithaca College, and Master of Arts, Master of Education, and Doctor of Education degrees in music therapy, special education, and music education from Columbia University; he is Professor Emeritus in the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU in Dallas. Robert’s album “Songs From a Music Therapist” can be streamed on Spotify/Apple Music. 

Sponsored by Ohana Ukulele Singer-songwriter and Berklee College of Music student Sho Humphries blends diverse influences into a vibrant, hope-filled sound. His debut album Making Summer Memories and follow-up singles like Dream Again showcases his evolution as both performer and producer. 

Ukulele Bartt Warburton is a globe-trotting performer, educator, and “modern-day master” (Los Angeles Times) known for his witty songwriting, virtuosic ukulele playing, and lively shows. His music—ranging from quirky originals to electrifying classical renditions—has earned millions of views worldwide. A former LAUSD “Teacher of the Year,” Bartt is a passionate educator who trains teachers and shares his love of music through workshops, books, and online lessons at Bartt.net.

Sponsored by Kanile'a Ukulele — Zoë Bestel is an award-winning Scottish nu-folk singer-songwriter known for her ethereal vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Hailed as one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging talents, she’s released acclaimed works including 35 Missed Calls, Sir Lucas and the Moon, and Transience. Now preparing her third full-length album through crowdfunding, Zoë continues to captivate audiences with music that explores themes of self-discovery, mental health, and the creative spirit.