STUART FUCHS    Music for People Goes with Him Around the World.

Musicianship and Leadership Program Grad, Stuart Fuchs (aka Stukelele) has taken his Music for People training, its philosophies and influences into his role as a teacher/artist and leader of holistic and innovative ukulele workshops. His playing moves easily from exciting, "flying fingers" virtuosity, to delicately, peacefully, soulful melodies. His YouTube ukelele lessons show him to be an extraordinary teacher. (He does online as well)

Stu also tours internationally to concert halls and yoga festivals with the renowned Snatam Kaur.

This summer Stuart and his wife, Sarah Carlisle, will be at Omega Institute offering a Ukulele Zen Retreat.  This workshop brings ukelele players of all levels together to jam, learn different styles and, "Become one with the strum!"

Ukulele Zen was exactly what I was looking for as an approach to learning more about making music and playing my ukulele.  I had no idea I could solo until I became ‘One with the strum’!"

Stuart graduated from the Musicianship and Leadership Program in 2005. About MfP, Stuart says, 

"While it may sound a little over the top, it’s not an exaggeration to say that not a day goes by that I don’t use the principles from Music for People in my life.  The musical practices, deep and compassionate listening, teaching skills, and the “mantras” of MfP have deeply enriched this wonderful journey of life.  

To say I am grateful for the teachings of David Darling and the entire MFP community is an understatement, but here goes:  THANK YOU!" 

You can learn more about Stuart here find Stuart's music, including his most recent CD, After All This Time  here

He releases new videos every Friday and Monday on his You Tube Channel, Ukelele Zen   

"Stu respectfully pushes the Ukulele to brave new heights, while keeping one foot rooted in a number of time honored traditions. He is definitely a part of the American Ukulele revival!”
— Lil' Rev, Author of the Hal Leonard Ukulele Method, Entertainer & Music Historian

Shruti boxes provide a rich drone background that supports singing or playing almost any instrument. A shruti box is hand-pumped, so you can produce a slightly pulsating constant chord to support the right rhythm for the style of music you are playing. 

Says Ron, " We have spent years searching out the best shruti boxes and have found them! Our shruti boxes are imported from a maker in Germany and the other from the UK."

On Ron's Shruti Box website you can hear samples of each of the shruti boxes he sells, along with more info about each of them, including sizes, pitching, and sources for the components.

Ron always brings some with him to MfP Weekends and a portion of sales is given back to MfP.
 

#MfPLove

MLP Grad, Sharon Little, recently facilitated a 90-minute MfP-style workshop at Western University in London Ontario for first year Music Students in a Music Education class.

She asked them what surprised them and what they learned:
"Improv isn't as hard as I once thought."
"I was surprised by how everyone opened up...and were really playing who they were."
"I enjoyed it when all participants began to listen for themselves."
"ENJOY dissonance!"
"How much easier it was to improvise after just one class."
"Dissonance gives you a chance to breathe."
"Even though we were all playing different things, it still sounded awesome!"
"Eye contact! Breathing together."
"Just ground yourself and have fun."
"I can push past that 'edge.' "
"When in doubt, be simple."