Australian Friends

We received a “thumbs up” from our friends Jim and Julie Bills from Brisbane, Australia. We first met them in 2014 when they heard us perform as the husband-wife duo The Hawaiian Serenaders at the Maui Ukulele Guild Exhibition at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center and then participated in our November ‘Ukulele Strumming Workshop at the Bailey House. They had encouraged us to present workshops at the Brisbane Ukulele Festival aka SPRUKE, but it didn’t work out.

We were happy to see them back on Maui and happy to spend time together. We jammed at their condo on my first Mother’s Day after my mom died, and also jammed at our house.

(Photo taken at Flower and Lei Songs, 4 May 2017)

by Mele Fong

Mele Fong is a professional singer, song arranger, and master of multiple strumming styles for the 'ukulele. She is an experienced educator with over 50+ years experience playing the 'ukulele and entertaining worldwide. Mele performs with her husband in the duo "The Hawaiian Serenaders" and leads student groups. In 1996, the duo represented the State of Hawai'i in concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Mele and her husband Richard Tom were both born and raised on Oahu and now reside in Maui.