Central Coast Ukulele Festival 2026
A one day ukulele event hosted by Perry Stauffer and Dani Joy featuring ensemble-focused workshops, club performances and concert.
Course Summary
Experience a full day of music-making with hands-on workshops, lively club performances, and an evening concert. Ukulele instructors Perry Stauffer and Dani Joy will lead participants through a dynamic ensemble arrangement of Let It Be, featuring parts for ukulele, baritone, and bass. In advance of the festival, students will receive an online preparation package that includes their individual parts along with instructional videos to help them get ready for the event.
On April 21, participants will rehearse throughout the day, refining their ensemble pieces before coming together for an afternoon group performance. The day concludes with a concert by Perry Stauffer and Dani Joy, followed by showcase performances from local ukulele clubs.
Course Curriculum
Ensemble Song: Let it Be
Workshop One
Let it Be: Royal Chord Family- Basic Music Theory with Storytelling Level 1-2 Meet the King, Queen, King’s Guard and the visiting minor chord family in this perception altering class. We will tap into the emotional personality of each chord using a common storytelling trope which will unite your ear with the chord like never before. Get off the page and into the music in this fun and exhilarating class with Dani Joy.
What You’ll Learn: * Diatonic chord family * Emotional personality of each chord * Memorization techniques
Workshop Two
Let it Be: Travis Picking on the Ukulele Level 2 Refine your fingerpicking skills while learning The Beatle's timeless classic, "Let it Be." This class focuses on the fundamentals of Travis Picking, combining rhythm and melody to elevate your playing. Class will be taught by Perry Stauffer.
What You’ll Learn: * The fundamentals of Travis Picking for ukulele * Applying Travis Picking techniques to a classic tune * Combining rhythm and melody for seamless fingerpicking * Using hammer-ons to add depth and expression to your picking
Workshop Three
Let it Be: Iconic Riff on Two Strings Level 1-2 The majority of class will be learning to play the historic riff from the Beatles’ Let It Be. In the background of your mind, you’ll be learning major and minor intervals in the key of C while playing it on just two strings. Doubling notes in a solo is a technique used across many styles—Hawaiian, Western Swing, folk, and more. Once it’s under your fingers, you can slide up and down two strings and improvise a beautiful solo. Join Dani Joy and Perry Stauffer
What You’ll Learn: * Let it Be intro/interlude * Major and minor intervals on 1st & 2nd strings * Breathing Techniques * Slow, steady practice pace
Schedule
10am (1 hour) Workshop 1
(15 min break)
11:15 (1 hour) Workshop 2
12:15 (90 min) Lunch/ Open Mic
1:45pm (1 hour) Workshop 3
(15 min break)
3pm (1 hour) Rehearsal
4pm (1 hr) Dinner
5pm (90 min) Concert
Dani Joy & Perry 20 min Club Performances (45-60 min) Ensemble Performance
6:30pm Finish
Perry Stauffer
