Got a song in your heart or in your head? Release your inner Bruce Springsteen or James Taylor! Learn how to write a song and improve your writing and lyrics? Explore the art and craft of songwriting with an experienced songwriter in this fun, non-judgmental environment. You don’t have to play an instrument; many folks take these classes to improve their lyric-writing skills!

NEW LOCATION

This fitness class combines the best of all worlds: cool moves from authentic swing dance, elements of Shake Your Soul/Let Your Yoga Dance to reconnect us with our bodies and the joy of movement, and a basic fitness program that gives a gentle cardio workout, while increasing strength, flexibility, and balance. Featuring the best of swing, jazz and world music! (Note: This is not a partnered dance class.)

Got a song in your heart or in your head? Do you want to release your inner Bruce Springsteen or James Taylor? Did you ever want to learn how to write a song, or improve your writing and lyrics?

Spend some time with an experienced songwriter and explore the art and craft of songwriting in a non-judgemental (and fun) environment. It's not necessary that you play an instrument-many participants have taken these classes to improve their lyric-writing skills. 

Dust off that Uke! This is a fun program structured to give you the confidence to learn and play your favorite songs. We will cover tuning, basic strumming patterns, easy chords and lots more. All course material will be supplied, please bring your uke, tuner, music stand and a three ring binder for the course materials.

In-Person at MDIHS: Learning to play the guitar is easy, and with practice you can become good! Each individual will be able maximize their own abilities whether they are brand new to the instrument or already have some experience. Reading and writing notes, basic harmony, chord progressions, and how play a song from start to finish will be introduced. Please bring a guitar and any material or songs you might have to class.

No class Feb. 22

A $10.00 for materials fee will be collected at the first class. Please pay the instructor directly. (NOTE: This fee is not included in the class fee.)

Derf studied music performance at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, and Berklee College, in Boston.

The magical ukulele is capturing hearts and minds in Maine and around the world. Why not yours? Come join our adult beginners’ series and share in the fun of learning to play.

The ukulele is versatile and a blast to play (with a bit of regular practice, of course). On it you can knock out folk music, rock, blues, jazz, pop, country, tunes grandma knows -- even classical music.

Our popular instructor, Duncan Perry, who has taught students of all ages, will introduce you to essential chords and strumming techniques using familiar songs - truly a fun way to learn ukulele.  Oh, and there are lots of laughs along the way. You do not need to know how to read music.  However, you must have a playable ukulele and an electronic tuner or a tuner app on your cell phone or tablet.  Ukes are affordable and compact, and you can take them most anywhere.  When folks hear you play this happy instrument, well, they just have to smile. If you don’t own a ukulele, let is know.  Duncan will be glad to provide helpful information on buying a ukulele.  So grab a uke and get ready for a low-stress, fun-filled musical adventure, then spread the joy.

Duncan Perry, a multi-instrumentalist, has been playing ukulele for 14 years and has so far taught ukulele to over 700 adults up and down the coast of Maine and inland, too.  He regularly performs at benefits, elder care venues, senior programs, and in schools and libraries.  In addition to offering instruction through various adult education programs, he has worked with children in several communities.  His mission is to spread the joy of the ukulele across Maine!

This is a live online class. The Zoom link will be provided by the instructor.

A Ukulele Buying Guide 

Multiple sections are being offered. They are all the same class. Pick ONE section that fits your schedule.

Interested in using software to write music? Learn about MuseScore, a free score-writing program that is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux. MuseScore allows users to create, edit, and print in basic music notation. With it, you can playback your creations and even share them. Using provided templates or your own ingenuity, try out the vast array of musical instruments to design your own piece. This 3 session class will focus on how to download/install MuseScore, will take a look at different methods of musical notation, how to add/edit notes, learn a bit about music theory (without really trying!), how to swap out instruments and change their sounds, and examine a bit of basic harmony and rhythm.

The magical ukulele is capturing hearts and minds in Maine and around the world. Why not yours? Come join our adult beginners’ series and share in the fun of learning to play.

The ukulele is versatile and a blast to play (with a bit of regular practice, of course). On it you can knock out folk music, rock, blues, jazz, pop, country, tunes grandma knows -- even classical music.

Our popular instructor, Duncan Perry, who has taught students of all ages, will introduce you to essential chords and strumming techniques using familiar songs - truly a fun way to learn ukulele.  Oh, and there are lots of laughs along the way. You do not need to know how to read music.  However, you must have a playable ukulele and an electronic tuner or a tuner app on your cell phone or tablet.  Ukes are affordable and compact, and you can take them most anywhere.  When folks hear you play this happy instrument, well, they just have to smile. If you don’t own a ukulele, let is know.  Duncan will be glad to provide helpful information on buying a ukulele.  So grab a uke and get ready for a low-stress, fun-filled musical adventure, then spread the joy.

Duncan Perry, a multi-instrumentalist, has been playing ukulele for 14 years and has so far taught ukulele to over 700 adults up and down the coast of Maine and inland, too.  He regularly performs at benefits, elder care venues, senior programs, and in schools and libraries.  In addition to offering instruction through various adult education programs, he has worked with children in several communities.  His mission is to spread the joy of the ukulele across Maine!

This is a live online class. The Zoom link will be provided by the instructor.

A Ukulele Buying Guide 

Multiple sections are being offered. They are all the same class. Pick ONE section that fits your schedule.