2025 ARTISTS

Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is a musician, composer, educator, and author who plays the drums, vibraphone, and ukulele professionally. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, he is a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts) and has released multiple albums in the United States, Japan, South Korea. Abe continues to perform all over the world, including touring regularly throughout mainland China as an Ohana Ukuleles artist.

Ben Hassenger is a music facilitator with Special Education children, teaches ukulele to students and teachers in Michigan school systems, and is the co-founder of the Lansing (MI) Area Ukulele Group and the organizer of the annual Mighty Uke Day festival, Interlochen’s Uketoberfest, and the Midwest Uke Camp in Olivet. Ben is proud to be an official Ohana Ukulele Teaching Artist. 

Based in the heart of California’s sun-soaked Imperial Valley, Bernadette is an educator, YouTuber, and ukulele artist with a humble beginning uploading YouTube videos in her elementary music classroom in Okinawa, Japan. With a master's degree in education, a bachelor's degree in music, and a teaching credential, Bernadette has found her audience by creating content geared towards beginners yet easy for all ages to follow. 

Two-Time GRAMMY® Award Winners, Cathy & Marcy are master musicians with a career spanning over 35 years. Their superb harmonies are backed by instrumental virtuosity on the guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, and more; their repertoire ranges from classic country to western swing, gypsy jazz to bluegrass, old-time string band to contemporary folk (including some original gems).

Craig and Sarah are world traveling performing artists, teachers, and event organizers. They have spent the past 15 years headlining Ukulele Festivals and events world wide, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, China, and more. Their commitment to the Global Ukulele Community is unparalleled, with the creation of the first free Online Ukulele Festivals (“Not so Mini Fests”) and free Livestream workshops.

Hiʻilani Asing, Krystal Mokuahi, and Cory Mau make up the young, dynamic trio known as Ke`olu. Together, their voices blend to create a unique sound that bridges traditional and contemporary styles.  Their passion and love for music includes not only the traditional Hawaiian genre, but also hits from the 70s, 80s, and more. "`Olu": Pleasant, comforting, evoking feelings of nostalgia. 

With a background in multi-instrumentalism and guitar, Dani is a graduate of the higher conservatories of Spain whose musical quest has led him to explore and translate a wide variety of styles to the ukulele, ranging from modern music such as pop and rock, classical pieces and the music of his home country, flamenco. With undeniable talent, a unique style of playing and a contagious passion on stage, Dani Usero promises to surprise the listener with what can be done on the ukulele.

Combining soft, lilting vocals with poignant honesty and wit, Danielle Ate the Sandwich (Danielle Anderson), writes songs for the biggest and smallest moments of life. She has opened for Mumford and Sons, Jake Shimabukuro, and had the opportunity to write the soundtrack to the Emmy nominated HBO documentary, “Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson.” 

Kimo Hussey is one of Hawaii's preeminent ukulele players and instructors. He travels the world performing, teaching and sharing his love of all things ukulele. One of Kimo's key messages is that playing quality ukuleles makes a world of difference both for you as a player and for your audience.

The Legacy Ukulele Ensemble is a group of adult players from across the United States and Canada who are directed and led by internationally acclaimed ukulele teacher, Peter Luongo. The ensemble is committed to learning/developing their music literacy and ukulele playing skills with the goal of performing and sharing their music with audiences. The group's repertoire list includes music from the genres of Hawaiian, Classical, Folk, Rock, and Country, all of which are performed from memory on stage. Yes, you read that right…..everything is memorized and there is not a music stand in sight.  

Melanie Lawson Kareem grew up in a musical-loving, folk dancing family in Pasadena, CA. Melanie's proprietary teaching system, the “Melanie Method,” helps beginner students thrive and start strumming and singing the beloved songs of the “leisure generation” right away. Her Get Started Playing Ukulele on-line ukulele program of daily live lessons reaches a fun-loving community of strummers and singers stretching from coast to coast and crossing international borders

Peter is the founder of the Langley Ukulele Association and former Musical Director of the internationally renowned Langley Ukulele Ensemble. One the world’s most experienced and preeminent ukulele teachers, his accomplishments were documented in the award-winning film, The Mighty Uke. After spending over 30 years as a school administrator in the Music Education Department at the University of British Columbia, Peter currently directs adult performing ensembles in Canada and the U.S. and is a regular presenter at ukulele festivals across North America and Europe.