Clyde River

Jo-Ann MacPhail, Robert MacPhail and Ferne Halman

If you ever need ukulele players, we now have three of them in Clyde River. Ferne Holman and her brother Robert MacPhail and friend Jo-Ann MacPhail joined a LEAP at the South Shore Villa this winter.

They are so grateful to Dennis Wells for his weekly trips to the South Shore Villa to spread the gospel of the ukulele. He is the instructor for South Shore Villa’s LEAP.  Dennis has been coming out to Crapaud every Wednesday for eight weeks to teach the gang how to play and sing along at the same time. This is a skill that the majority of our group never had the opportunity to learn before.

This class of ten seniors is thrilled, even astounded with their progress and are already planning additional concerts after their final class performance on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at South Shore Villa in Crapaud. Everyone is invited to attend the concert.

The new players love the versatility of the ukulele and how it lends itself to many styles of music from blues to gospel to the classics. The instrument’s small size makes it very playable and portable for the older beginner.

It takes courage to try new things. Here are some quotes from the new players:

“Excellent course!! I really enjoyed my time with Dennis and the other players. Who would ever have thought…dreamed, that I might actually learn to play an instrument?” – Jo-Ann MacPhail

“What a great way to spend a morning! It is fun and relaxing. Dennis was a great teacher. It’s so nice to get together and learn a new instrument you never played before.” – Ferne Halman

“I was pleased to learn about the ukulele.” – Robert MacPhail

I, Julia, was given a ukulele on my eighth birthday along with a book. I recall that at first I wasn’t too impressed, as it wasn’t obvious to me that it was about the chords and strumming along as I sang. But I do remember my breakthrough in understanding. That early experience stayed with me and is likely why I wanted others to have the fun of learning to play along. It’s all  about having the opportunity to try. So parents never underestimate the value of your gifts and how your efforts on behalf of your children may bear fruit many years later.

The participants are appreciative of the Learning Elders Arts Program funded by the Dept. of Tourism and Culture and the PEI Seniors Federation Inc.

(Story provided by Julia Purcell)