We are offering an ongoing Ukestration Mentoring Program (UMP - a rather unglamorous acronym) for those who have The Ukestration Manual.
The UMP is a monthly online meeting with a group of up to six fellow ukulele teachers/leaders (I guess they will be called UMPers!). These monthly meetings will be lead by Mark and/or Jane.
As a teacher/leader yourself, you would know that there is nothing better for learning than having regular input from an experienced teacher, along with feedback opportunities from your peers. It's important to network and give your own work context within the work of your peers. The UMP will help you to compare your work, and get new ideas, from a global network of ukulele teachers and leaders.
The UMP requires a six month commitment to meeting online with fellow teachers/leaders who are from similar backgrounds/objectives.
What will I get in the monthly gathering?
- We'll run through an example of a contemporary ukestrated song which you can adapt and use for your own teaching.
- An online gathering with 5 other peers (and Mark or Jane as moderator). This will involve:
- Resources and guidance for how to ukestrate new songs of your choice
- Opportunities to discuss recent issues for you in your teaching and leading practice. We will discuss both music teaching and community leadership issues.
- A teaching progression that we've recently used to further our student's musical and technical knowledge, and their entertainment.
What else will I get?
- A login to a private webpage where we'll share some of our resources for ukulele teachers and leaders
- A monthly private blog for UMPers
- A structured program of peer support and learning
- A Facebook Group in which you can share your progress and issues with your fellow Ukestration Mentors
- We encourage you to attend an additional monthly peer mentoring Hangout (without us). Attendance at this is at your own discretion.
- With the monthly peer mentoring session, and the monthly Ukestration Mentoring Session, you will be catching up roughly every two weeks to review your progress.
What does it cost?
AUD$45 per month. We seek (and give) a six month commitment (AUD$270) initially.
How do I start?
The process of group selection is in three stages.
- Complete the below registration of interest form
- We will allocate people to groups based upon a range of factors including timezone and your personal objectives.
- We will confirm a monthly time (subject to minor changes) that best suits you and your group.
- You will be invited to complete registration with payment.
- We get together online once a month using Google Hangouts, email and other appropriate forums.
Testimonials
From “nurturing inclusivity” to avoiding the “cult of the book”, to the “Four Column Approach”, this manual is full of transferable ideas and strategies that Mark and Jane learned the hard way so you wouldn’t have to.
From the Foreword to The Ukestration Manual
James Hill
Nova Scotia, Canada
Hi Mark and Jane
I just wanted to say - thank you for your fantastically inspiring workshop at Excite Academy in January.
I was hunting for some new material for my classes that started this week - and I was reminded how much I got from that one workshop with you two. (And my students and ukulele friends locally are still talking about it too!)
Thanks, and please let me know when you next do Ukestra courses or workshops. I could even be tempted to fly across the ditch.
Regards
Alice Bulmer
Hamilton, New Zealand
Thank you so much for the class on Saturday. I really enjoyed it. It was so lovely to have someone who was so encouraging. I have found in the past that people in the arts industries can sometimes have a very elitist view. In other words, I have found that those who have the talent seem to think that those of us who don't have the talent have no right to play music. It was so lovely that you just encouraged people and that it was just about the enjoyment of it. I loved that a professional musician was ultimately giving the message that playing music and instruments is for everyone, not just those that are naturally talented at it. How I wish that I had come across a teacher like you when I was a child!
Helen, Beginner, Newcastle, Australia
You are exceptional pedagogists!
- Some random ukulele-toting retired Medieval Studies professor from the US
After attending several ukulele groups on (the new area where I live) I realise how brilliant your groups are and I really miss them. Your LEADERSHIP is very inspiring.
See y'all next visit, take care.
Judy