A Native Hawaiian teaches how to play Hawai’i’s official instrument
Mele Fong is a professional singer, song arranger, and master of multiple strumming styles for the ‘ukulele. She grew up in Hawai’i playing the piano, guitar, ‘ukulele, dancing hula and entertaining audiences since childhood. Mele entered the Conservatory of Music at the University of Pacific with the goal of becoming a music therapist. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation, Youth Agency Administration, and worked for the YMCA, USDA Forest Service and National Park Service. Now semi-retired, Mele has returned to her original goal of using music as a tool to help people by teaching adults the fun of making music the Ukulele Mele Way.
Since 2009, Mele has taught and continues to teach ‘ukulele, sing-along, and Hawaiian history classes at Kaunoa Senior Center for adults 55 and better on Maui. Since 2011, Mele also operates a family business Ukulele Mele On Maui with the mission to share the joy of making music one ‘ukulele player at-a-time.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS – CLICK ON A PHOTO for the story behind it
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- Born & raised on Oahu
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- Played piano since 7
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- Danced Hula In A Group
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- May Day Queen at 12
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- Played music with family
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- Grad High School 1973
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- Grad Univ of Pacific 1977
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- 1st Gig Married 1994
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- Kennedy Center Concert
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- 1st Maui Gig Strolling
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- Began teaching@Kaunoa
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- 1st Private Student
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- Led Maui Pops Band
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- Led Maui Jazz Trio
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- Concerts Continue
SOCIAL MEDIA (stay connected)
• Like Ukulele Mele on Facebook – launched November 2011.
• YouTube Channel – launched August 2011.
• Bookmark Mele’s blog – launched December 31, 2013 with weekly postings on Mondays and then changed frequency to 1st of the month starting January 1, 2020.