Hawaiian Music Workshop with Marnie Ward & Mika Kane
Tuesday, April 9th
7:00-9:00pm
Join Marnie Ward (Denver) and Mika Kane (O'ahu Hawai'i) for an immersive evening into Hawaiian music! Combining our unique backgrounds and perspectives, we’ll start off the night with a hands on workshop run jointly by Marnie and Mika.
Taking an in-depth look at a popular Hawaiian song, Marnie will guide you through strumming pattern(s) with basic chords, lyric pronunciation, as well as accessible vocal techniques for singing; Mika will deep dive into chord variations and popular picking licks that compliment the song and are transferable to other pieces of work.
Due to the smaller nature of this workshop (only 20 spots!), there will be opportunities for individual feedback!
Following the workshop, you will be treated to an intimate concert from Mika playing an instrumental set of various Hawaiian songs popular to Hawai’i. The night will conclude with Marnie and Mika coming together to perform a few collaborative tunes.
Don’t miss this intimate and immersive opportunity to broaden your Hawaiian music repertoire.
To bring:
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Ukulele
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Music stand
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Tuner
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Pencil
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Water Bottle (duh, it's Colorado)
Location: The Savoy
2700 Arapahoe St
Denver, CO 80205
In the Historic Curtis Park Neighborhood near the
RiNo Art District.
Enter from the south side of the building, facing 27th Ave.
Entrance shown in photo. Workshop on 2nd floor; elevator available. Street parking.
Presenter Bios
Mika Kane is a professional ‘ukulele artist and educator from the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an ‘Ukulele focus and a masters Degree in Educational Foundations from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Mentored by many of Hawai’i’s finfest musicians, including Dr. Byron Yasui, Bryan Tolentino, and Ian O’Sullivan, Mika has a prolific background in classical techniques and interpretation, musical awareness, and music theory with jazz harmonies. He mostly specializes in fingerstyle playing, adding relevant music theory concepts from his university studies to create a clear, one-of-a-kind sound.
As an educator, Mika has a diverse teaching background, having taught in-person ‘ukulele classes at The Hawai’i Youth Correctional Facility for four (4) years, a current college lecturer of three (3) years in ‘ukulele at The University of Hawai’i West O’ahu and Windward Community College, and has been invited to teach at festivals/workshops all over the US including Pennsylvania, INdiana, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Hawai’i. Mika also teaches private online lessons full-time with students from all over the world. In his free time, he does side work such as podcasts and sound samples for TheUkuleleSite and UkuleleFriend. He also occasionally gigs professionally with Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner Kala’e Camarillo at various hotels around O’ahu and at private weddings and functions.
Marnie Ward is a nostalgic throwback to the vaudeville era where story, song, and a little bit of quirkiness were intertwined. Wielding her ukulele, Marnie blends the cabaret, broadway, and jazz art forms into a seamless, and hilariously, entertaining show.
A multi-hyphenated artist, her years of experience have landed Marnie appearances across Colorado, the US, and even France. She has shared the stage with the Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra, Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra, Savannah Symphony and Colorado Springs Philharmonic; delighted audiences at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Boulders Dinner Theatre and in numerous club appearances at Dazzle Jazz, the Mercury Cafe and more! For 8 years, she toured the Rocky Mountain Region, the US and France with her Andrews Sisters Tribute Act - Reveille 3 entertaining veterans, their families and supporters.
As an educator, Marnie is proud to host students from coast to coast in her voice and ‘ukulele studio. Marnie believes that music participation is for everyone and, in her studio, she combines her unique teaching skillsets in voice and ‘ukulele to uplift music makers of all walks of life. She is a certified James Hill Ukulele Initiative ‘ukulele teacher and completed and teaches from Jeannie LoVetri’s Somatic Voicework™, The LoVetri Method.
As an arranger for the Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra, Marnie highlights the diversity of the ukulele by showcasing 80+ ukuleles on stage performing instrumental orchestrated pieces from classical to heavy metal music.
In May 2024, Marnie will graduate from the University of Hawai’i’s Windward Community College with a Certificate of Hawaiian Music. With this certificate, she hopes to share that knowledge with other likeminded ‘ukulele players to better understand the musical origins of their beloved instrument.
Marnie’s infectious enthusiasm for song can be felt through her unique storytelling and arranging. She considers herself a steward of the Great American Songbook and an honor to help keep it alive.