Instructor BIOS

Rhan Wilson is a Santa Cruz, CA based musician, teacher, writer, and creator. His creations include, of course, music: recordings, videos, performances; but also include sculpture, photography, woodworking, and landscape design.

John Sandoval is an extraordinary ukulele talent who is well respected in the local ukulele community. John focuses on the fundamentals of ukulele by introducing and breaking down songs into understandable sections. His classes are tailored to accommodate all ages and ability levels. His light-hearted, up-beat manner of teaching makes learning stress-free and tons of fun.

Steve Kritzer, whose musical talents also include guitar, mandolin, banjo, and songwriting, has developed a special passion for ukulele over the years, and has become one of the pre-eminent instructors, jam leaders, and “go to guy” for all things ukulele in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Carla Fontanilla calls both Hawaii and Northern CA home. Growing up in the Islands, Dad, Roland, and maternal aunt and godmother, Katherine Sabog, provided Carla first musical influences.

Dr. Dennis Fisher has been playing banjo for over 50 years. He was privileged to study bluegrass banjo under Warren Kennison, Jr. who helped the legendary Earl Scruggs develop his instruction manual Earl Scruggs and the Five String Banjo. Having professionally taught banjo, Dennis also has performed for Ronald Reagan and played with music groups around the world. “Bluegrass ukulele” began when Dennis was asked to adapt banjo songs on the ukulele for a student at The Strum Shop. This was life changing as Bluegrass Ukulele Celebration was born!

Budd gets his strum on every day and has not been without a ukulele since 2011.