UKULELE RETREATS
Westin - Long Beach, CA - 333 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
There is nothing like this truly intimate retreat, and you won’t want to miss it. Get a chance to learn from Bryan Tolentino, Herb Ohta Jr., Craig Chee, and Sarah Maisel.
The starting rate is our Commuter Rate, so you may book your own hotel or stay home, if you live in the area. However, if you would like to book with us at the Westin Long Beach, please visit our travel agent, Marion Koleski’s, and let her know. For bookings, please click on the button below (Marion K Travels).
What comes with my Retreat?
All workshops are recorded, so you may enjoy them once the event is finished.
Morning snacks, Lunches, and final evening Dinner.
Open mics & Jams
Special follow up material, once the retreat has ended
What can I expect from my classes?
Curriculum will be geared for Confident Beginners to Intermediate players.
A more intimate classroom experience, as our attendance cap is 45 participants.
Morning core classes will cover a variety of techniques that can be used for all styles of music, though our focus will be Hawaiian Music.
Afternoon sessions will be split to to allow a more in-depth look at class materials.
Opportunities to participate, learn, and contribute to jams.
An opportunity to learn more about Hawaiian Music and Culture.
Our core staff will be Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Bryan Tolentino, Herb Ohta Jr., and our travel agent Marion Koleski. There will be guest instructors announced soon, so please join our mailing list if you want to hear more about our retreat.
Want to book your spot now? Please visit Marion Koleski’s website, or contact her directly via e-mail.
Meet Our Ukulele Retreat Long Beach 2023 Team
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Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel
Hosts & Instructors
Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel have been teaching and performing around the globe for 15 years. Their passion for teaching is evident in every workshop they teach, including their Online ‘Ukulele School with ArtistWorks. Craig and Sarah have pioneered comprehensive online festival experiences throughout the pandemic, including the 51st Ukulele Festival Hawaii and their online Not-So-Mini Fests. Continuing to support the ukulele community, they created their Backyard Concert Series, which features local Hawaii Artists. They are excited to feature some of those artists in this year’s Ukulele Retreat Hawaii!
Prior to the pandemic, they hosted 6 ‘ukulele cruises and a variety of ‘ukulele retreats around the globe. Both are highly sought after for ‘ukulele festivals world wide as they love to share the joy of the ‘ukulele everywhere they go.
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Bryan Tolentino
Instructor
‘Ukulele player, Bryan Tolentino has been known, for the past forty plus years, as an accompanist who performed and continues to perform, locally and abroad with some of Hawaiʻi’s most well known and accomplished Hawaiian music artists.
Bryan’s recorded on over sixty CD’s for other artists as well as compilations adding his unique “fairy dusting”, as he calls it. He is a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano winner and Grammy nominated artist. In 2005 he released his solo album “Ka ‘Ukulele Lele”.
Currently he performs with his band NUE - Nā ‘Ukulele ‘Ekolu with Kama Hopkins and Halehaku Seabury releasing their CD “In the Heart of Paradise” on Dec. 30, 2021.
Bryan Tolentino continues to teach in person and online, sharing his love for the ‘ukulele through performances and workshops.
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Herb Ohta Jr.
Instructor
International recording artist Herb Ohta, Jr., is considered to be one of today’s most prolific `ukulele masters. The son of `ukulele legend "Ohta-san," he started playing at the age of three, and teaching at the age of nine. He now shares the music of Hawai‘i and the beauty of the ‘ukulele with people around the world, performing and conducting instructional workshops.
His recording debut was in 1990 on his father’s recording. Since then, Herb has recorded on over 50 recordings with 15 Solo and 13 duet recordings to his credit. With 16 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations, he has won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for "ʻUkulele Nahenahe” in 2011, “Pure ʻUkulele” in 2013, Instrumental Song of the Year in 2013, “ʻUkulele Friends” in 2015, “ʻUkulele Friends The Sequel in 2018, “ʻUkulele Hula” in 2019, and “ʻUkulele Life” in 2021. Herb is also a four-time Hawai‘i Music Award Winner as well.
Now in his 32nd year in the music business, Herb is well on his way to matching his father’s legacy.
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Marion Koleski
Travel Agent
Marion is your travel agent and event coordinator, so if you have any questions or problems, she's your go-to person.
A lifelong percussionist, Marion is also a trained facilitator for Remo HealthRHYTHMS Group Empowerment Drumming. Anticipating boredom upon becoming an empty nester, Marion started playing ukulele in 2012, and founded the KalamazUkes Ukulele Club. Marion is a former member of the Battle Creek Sweet Adelines barbershop chorus.
We are thrilled to announce our Ukulele Retreat Hawaii’s 2024 dates, March 17-20, 2024! It will be held at the Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu. The Retreat will officially start the evening of March 17th and have full day programing the 18-20th, with morning goodbyes on the 21st. There will be an optional full day of programming offered on the 21st, for those that wish to extend their stay.
This will be the ONLY retreat we host in 2024.
Starting Price of Scenic Rooms with Juliet Balcony and Program - $3,555
Want to book your spot now? Please visit Marion Koleski’s website, or contact her directly via e-mail.
Ukulele Retreat Hawaii UPDATE!
We are excited to announce our first featured artist for our retreat, Jeff Peterson! He is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award winning artists as well as a Grammy nominated artist. Many know him for his Slack Key Guitar, but he is an incredible ukulele player and teacher, and we are beyond thrilled to have him join our retreat!
The retreat has already surpassed our initial attendance goal and we are excited to watch it grow! We will have more opportunities for break out sessions, allowing us to keep it an intimate learning experience for everyone.
What comes with my Retreat?
4 night stay at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, with an optional 5th night of programming.
Special guest performances & instructors.
All core workshops are recorded, so you may enjoy them once the event is finished.
Breakout Afternoon Sessions
Catered Lunches
Open mics, Jams, and Office Hours
Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel at the Kahala Hotel & Resort Beach.
Who is this Retreat For?
Curriculum will be geared for Confident Beginners to Intermediate players.
Confident Beginners are players that know most of their first position chords, some barre chords, and are comfortable with a handful of picking and strumming patterns. Though they do not need to read tablature, it will be beneficial if they have a basic understanding of it.
Breakout sessions will allow us to work with different levels in smaller groups
Why the Kahala Hotel and Resort?
We wanted you to be inspired, not only by the teaching, but by our location as well. With their spacious sleeping rooms and the beach being mere feet away, we know you will absolutely love this beautiful venue located on the outskirts of Honolulu.
Though it is out of the main city, it has a free shuttle to take you to the Kahala Mall and Waikiki.
They have a Hertz Car Rental on site.
The Kahala hosts its own cultural activities such as lei making, basket weaving, hula, and more.
They also have boogie board, snorkel gear, stand up paddle board, kayak, and bike rentals. There are also daily yoga glasses available as well.
Enjoy their onsite dolphins via their Dolphin Quest Program. Participation in a Dolphin Quest experience supports vital marine mammal conservation, education and scientific study.
Want to put down your early bird deposit? Please visit Marion Koleski’s website, or contact her directly via e-mail.
Meet our Staff Below!
Special Guest Artist and Teachers to be Announced Soon!
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Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel
Hosts & Instructors
Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel have been teaching and performing around the globe for 15 years. Their passion for teaching is evident in every workshop they teach, including their Online ‘Ukulele School with ArtistWorks. Craig and Sarah have pioneered comprehensive online festival experiences throughout the pandemic, including the 51st Ukulele Festival Hawaii and their online Not-So-Mini Fests. Continuing to support the ukulele community, they created their Backyard Concert Series, which features local Hawaii Artists. They are excited to feature some of those artists in this year’s Ukulele Retreat Hawaii!
Prior to the pandemic, they hosted 6 ‘ukulele cruises and a variety of ‘ukulele retreats around the globe. Both are highly sought after for ‘ukulele festivals world wide as they love to share the joy of the ‘ukulele everywhere they go.
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Neal Chin
Instructor
Born and raised on Maui, Neal Chin has been playing the 'ukulele for sixteen years and teaching for fifteen. He moved to Honolulu, Hawai’i after High School to continue his teaching and performing career. Along with the teachers at the 'ukulele school, 'Ukulele Hale, Neal’s students performed throughout the islands at events such as The 'Ukulele Picnic of Hawai'i, the Hawai'i Book and Music Festival, and volunteering for the Shriners Hospital for Children. Neal has performed with over fifty musicians and acts, including Benny Chong, Erika Elona, David Kamakahi, Illisit, and Steven Inglis. Neal has credits on many recordings, including the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winning album, The Akira Project. During his time in Honolulu he received his A.S. in Music Business from the Honolulu Community College. Neal now resides in Seattle, Washington. His latest album 'Ukulele Paintings was nominated for the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award.
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Cory Mau
Instructor
Cory Mau is an up and coming artist who performs with the band Ke’olu. He has been teaching ukulele at the Sakuma Studios for over 10 years, and has a Masters Degree in Education. For the past 5 years, he has been an elementary school educator. He is thrilled to share his gentle and approachable teaching style with our students.
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Marion Koleski
Travel Agent & Coordinator
Marion is your travel agent and event coordinator, so if you have any questions or problems, she's your go-to person.
A lifelong percussionist, Marion is also a trained facilitator for Remo HealthRHYTHMS Group Empowerment Drumming. Anticipating boredom upon becoming an empty nester, Marion started playing ukulele in 2012, and founded the KalamazUkes Ukulele Club. Marion is a former member of the Battle Creek Sweet Adelines barbershop chorus.
What others have to say about Craig & Sarah’s events
“You created a life-changing event. Seriously. I was aware of the passion, talent, joy, and incredibly supportive community that has gathered worldwide around the ukulele. But this was the first time I had experienced the full depth and breadth of that in person.”
“LOVED the retreat! Craig and Sarah give so much of themselves, and I know the organization of the event must be enormous!”
“Wonderful retreat and I look forward to going to more in the future. I’ve learned a tremendous amount and look forward to applying it to my practice and playing.”
“I think Sarah and Craig are marvelous teachers. I have the great opportunity to attend workshops and I always come away learning a ton and having fun too. They are nurturing teachers and they make me feel like I have potential and something to offer.”
PAST IN PERSON RETREATS
Ukulele Retreat Hawaii - March 5-10, 2023
Feel free to watch Vlogs from our past Ukulele Retreat Hawaii Events! This 2023 video has some highlights from the whole event and includes testimonials from those who attended. Please enjoy!
Ukulele Retreat Hawaii - March 20-24, 2022
Craig made a point of doing DAILY Vlogs for our very first in person retreat and it was an incredible experience.