Classes & Workshops
YOU can book Kate & Steve for a concerts and workshops for your family, friends and groups in your community. Build your community and team spirit with Kate & Steve. It's easy, fun and affordable. Private and corporate inquiries all welcome! Call 503-331-1994 or email folks@qualityfolk.com for information, rates and availability in your area.
ukalalien: n. a newly converted ukulele player prone to singing and strumming on the ukulele, spurred to spontaneous acts of music and song singing, both alone and with others, regardless of setting or circumstances, thereby creating a euphoric sense of wellbeing.
See, hear & read about ukalaliens, the adventures of Kate & Steve and anecdotal americana.
Ukalaliens: A Beginner’s Guide to Ukulele Fun
(1-Hour for Absolute Beginning Adults)
The Ukalaliens™ Workshop: Level 1
Learn to play ukulele and sing songs through an easy method that gets people playing and singing in minutes. Created to help people learn "How to Make Beautiful Music with Everybody", this 1 hour workshop can be extended longer to include a facilitated song circle. Learn how to begin playing uke and singing with others. Rules of the road and song circle etiquette taught in a friendly, nurturing manner. Group singing. How to sing in a group; using listening skills to balance voice and instruments, keep rhythm and feel the music. Handout included. Loaner Kala tenor ukes available for use in class (24).
The Ukalaliens™ Workshop: Level 2
For musicians who are ready to move beyond the first steps and into more synchopated strums and picking patterns. This workshop uses the Ukalaliens method and brings it into the next level to enhance solo and group playing to grow a fuller and enriching experience by teaching the elements of arranging for sound & texture.
Rise Up Ukalaliens™ Singalong
This singalong is for all players and singers of all levels. Using the "Rise Up Singing" songbook, Kate & Steve faciliate a singalong that invites the group to sing and learn the value of dynamics, harmony and group singing with folk songs for maximum enjoyment by even the most shy. Players are invited to bring their instruments (no percussion, please) and play from their seats as Kate & Steve lead the group singing songs chosen by participants. This is a great way to sing, learn songs and enjoy the group singing experience in seasoned hands. All welcome.
The Number System: Level 1 & 2
When musicians need a way to communicate musically, the number system comes in handy whether they read music or not. This universal system is the bridge between all levels of musicians to define the music they are making. This knowledge is very handy in countless settings in a musical life from jam sessions and band practice to the recording studio, knowing the number system will help you get the right chords played on your songs.
3 Chords & A Capo
OR Good Tricks to Guitar Accompaniment: Level 2 & 3
Combining guitars to produce arrangements that work well together to deliver the song as a unit. Using multiple styles to describe the capo and right hand technique, this class teaches fun ways to approach music from two guitars in different tunings using distinctly different voices to create one good sound.
DADGAD Guitar: Level 1, 2 & 3
Kate teaches this class
replicates her introduction to DADGAD by Irish musician, Micheal
O’Domhnaill over twenty-five years ago, setting the course for her own
guitar work over time and across genres. The class outlines the neck,
chords, chordal scales and basics of getting around the neck in DADGAD
in major and minor keys in any music setting. Handouts provided.
Song Circling: How to Make Beautiful Music with Everybody - All Levels
This class teaches the nuances of singing with others, the elements of music and how to approach a song to bring out its best as part of a group. The many ingredients of making beautiful music are touched on in a way that allows each individual to play and sing with sensitivity for greater satisfaction. Materials: Bring a copy of “Rise Up Singing”
Songwriting: The Musical Theatre of Everyday Life - All Levels
Harvesting the elements of music and imagination to capture songs that reflect life your way, this workshop leads the new songwriter into the process from the beginning, coached by awardwinning songwriters with all the ingredients for success. All styles, genres, ages and backgrounds encouraged. No experience needed.
Short Workshop (1 hour) - Write a song as a group to learn how to
write a song and have a song at the end of the class
written together.
Longer Workshops (2-4 hours)
Individual songs are written by the students through exercises and
guidance geared toward good writing in any style that reflects the
writer's topic, language and musical taste.
Retreat Workshops (up to 4 hours x 5 days)
Immersion workshop on songwriting covers all aspects of songwriting and mentors students to write, arrange and perform their songs. Students produce multiple songs in this class. Concert of original material on the last day.
Vox Box I
How to Sing
Level One
A singing class for beginners that teaches the elements of singing and light music theory through vocal exercises and songs.
We also offer:
Duo Technique (Kate & Steve)
How to Play Guitar (Level 1 & 2)
DADGAD Guitar (Level 1, 2 & 3)
The Complete Banjo Player (Level 1 & 2)
Stagecraft & Performance: Solo, Duo & Band (Level 1, 2 & 3)
The Musician and The Internet
The Back End: Copyrights, Publishing & Marketing for Musicians
Private Lessons & Consultation by Request & Availability
