Rock Class 101 began as an idea in the Summer of 2013. At this point in my life, I had graduated from music school 2 years earlier and was currently completing my first year of corporate. I was employed as an Admissions Recruiter for a For-Profit college. You know, one of those school's that charge ridiculous amounts of money for a degree. Essentially, I was selling a product I didn't believe in to students who weren't aware of cheaper alternatives (i.e. Community College). Ethically, this was depressing to me. I was working to make the greedy corporate wigs richer and putting students into too much debt, all while I rotted away in a cube. This was the start of my escape. My whole life I knew music was what I wanted to do. I just wasn't sure what it was that I would do. After all, music was the one thing in my life that never got old, that I never quit, that never stopped being exciting.

One night I met up with my friend, Dan Holloway. With the help of his kids, they launched a very successful online lessons site for fingerstyle guitar in 2009. I was amazed by how many members he had, how he was able to focus solely on his business, and how he enjoyed what he did! That night a dream of mine began. I had finally realized what I was meant to do. A lessons site provides a way for me to compose, perform, and teach. 3 aspects of musicianship that defined who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. So, I handed in my 2 weeks notice to corporate and launched the site as AndrewHardel.com in October of 2013.

Initially, it started out as a solo guitar instructional website. A few months later, I recruited the help of 2 friends from college. I expanded the site to offer bass and drum lessons, and we re-branded as RockClass101.com. Together we shot awesome video lesson arrangements of Katy Perry covers. Unfortunately, nothing happened. I was resilient though, I kept producing lessons. While our drummer bowed out, our bass instructor Stephen Cox stuck it out with me. (You may know him as the guy who did the ukulele arrangement for "I See Fire." Stephen continues to be a part of the site. He's a great guy!)

Fast forward a year. In the summer of 2014, I met a young girl who wanted to take ukulele lessons. Her sister was taking guitar lessons at the store I teach at, but she wanted to play something different. So, I bought my first ukulele. I figured, if she quits after a month, at least I'll make enough to cover the cost of a cheap uke. Well, she didn't quit, she actually still takes lessons with me! But something else happened too. I really enjoyed playing ukulele!

About a month later, I thought it would be fun to write an arrangement for "Here Comes the Sun" and post it on the site as a freebie. So, I did! But, I could have never imagined what happened next... People were watching and learning the arrangement; and not just a few people... a lot of people! A few months down the line, I launched the ukulele lessons section for the site. With just a few songs up, we had multiple members in the first month. After over a year of trying, and trying, and trying... I had finally seen success. I was ecstatic! In January 2015, the site transitioned to 100% ukulele lessons.

Fast forward to today, the community at Rock Class 101 continues to grow everyday. It makes me so happy to be able to help so many people learn how to play ukulele around the world. There are currently over 600 lessons (which include complete tabs and typically 30-45 minutes of video content per lesson) with new arrangements added every Friday. This is only possible because of your support. Thank you so much for believing in this site and helping to make my dream come true.

If you ever have any questions about the site, or just want to say hi, you can contact me directly at: [email protected].

Andrew is humbly honored to be an official artist of Kanile'a Ukulele.

Ukulele Instructor

Born and raised in Seattle, Matt has been in love with the ukulele since his grandfather taught him his first chord. A two time Ukulele Underground Undie Award Winner, Matt is known for his virtuosity as an instrumentalist with the ukulele and is considered to be one of the premier “up and coming” artists in a new generation of ukulele players.

While the ukulele is typically associated with it’s Hawaiian roots, Matt is taking the instrument in new directions. Instrumental covers of some of rock’s greatest pieces including Behind Blue Eyes (The Who), Hey Jude (The Beatles), Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi), Kids (MGMT) showcase Matt’s unique approach to the undersized instrument. He’s even had a rendition of the NFL on Fox Theme featured on Fox Sports Live!

While his abilities as an ukulele performer are well known, his unique passion for teaching is what has garnered the most attention. He’s been featured in a front page article in the New York times for his online teaching practice. Matt gives one-on-one, as well as group ukulele lessons online from his home in Seattle.

Check out Matt's other teaching & musical ventures: http://mattukulele.com

Ukulele & Vocal Instructor

Hi, my name is Katie DeNure, and I'm a ukulele, guitar, and voice teacher. I started a YouTube channel in July of 2016, and my channel has recently reached an amazing milestone of 100,000 subscribers. As a little girl, I was constantly singing, and life was one big musical to me. It got to the point that my desperate parents had to impose "no singing" rules on me. Once I started to learn how to play the piano, I felt a drive to learn as many instruments as I possibly could.

I became very ill at the age of 17, and I completely lost my voice; however, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. My speech pathologist assigned me classical voice training as part of my rehabilitation, and an even stronger voice emerged from that painful time. With new found ability and new found purpose, I vowed that I would sing and play to the glory of God because he showed me that beauty can come from ashes. Before I sang and played for my own attention. Now I sing and play because music can bind up the broken hearted and set the captive free.

Check out Katie's other teaching & musical ventures: http://www.onemusicschool.com

Ukulele & Vocal Instructor

Christopher Davis-Shannon is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator specializing in early twentieth century music styles. As important as the playing itself, he teaches the history behind the songs he plays, and techniques that he uses to dive deep into the musical lexicon that is the backbone of American Music.

Majoring in Double Bass performance with a minor in composition, he did not pick up the ukulele until far into his musical journey. When tasked with teaching his nieces an instrument, the ukulele was an obvious choice. While they may not have stuck with it, he certainly did. After first hearing recordings of Roy Smeck, George Formby, Art Fowler and other early mainland players, he fell in love with the limitations and possibilities of the small instrument. He spent the last few years teaching ukulele online, at festivals, music schools and anywhere else that will have him.

Based in Philadelphia, Davis-Shannon maintains a steady tour schedule with his own music, as well as, a sideman for various acts. Teaching clinics and performing across the country, he brings to the stage not just the pure joy of music, but a vast knowledge of the history behind the songs that he holds close to his heart. His intricate instrumental work and plaintive vocals are infused with soulfulness which cannot be faked; and he holds a respect for his predecessors which is rarely equaled.

Check out Chris's other musical ventures: https://www.thetinman.co

Ukulele Instructor

Hi, my name is Steven and I am a ukulele addict. My musical journey began at the age of 13 when my parents took me to see the show ‘Buddy’ in London’s West End. I was so inspired by the super talented performers that I just HAD to learn guitar. I took guitar lessons for a number of years and played in a number of rock bands but as I got older and my teaching career took over, I found less and less time for guitar.

Then, one Christmas a few years ago my Dad bought me a cheap soprano ukulele. Like most people, I thought of the ukulele as a fun novelty instrument and had no idea what it was capable of until I started searching YouTube where I discovered amazing virtuosic performances from players such as Jake Shimabukuro, James Hill & Kalei Gamiao – to name just a few. I then set about watching as many tutorials as I could find time to and spent pretty much every spare minute practicing, and I’ve never looked back!

There is something truly magical about this little instrument. There doesn’t seem to be anything it can’t do. I’m sure my playing ability will reach its limit long before I get anywhere near the limits of this amazing instrument but I’m thoroughly enjoying seeing how close I can get!

Check out Steven's other musical ventures: YouTube Channel

Ukulele & Vocal Instructor

Ashley Orlando is a bilingual (English/French) jazz vocalist/ukulele artist and public relations pro who loves using music to help people find their voice, dream big and make those dreams reality. “Music is one language that transcends cultural barriers,” she says, and it has given her the opportunity to sing not only in her native U.S., but also in Canada and Europe. A classically trained soprano, Ashley’s smooth voice is a mixture of light, angelic grace and warm, jazz tones.

Originally from Louisiana, Ashley’s childhood dream was to become the voice of a Disney princess. But life intervened and eventually music got placed on the backburner. While completing a master's degree in Paris years later, Ashley connected with the French jazz scene, dancing swing and listening to live bands in the same underground caveau joints that musical greats like Sidney Bechet once played.  Le coup de foudre ("love at first sight") for music struck Ashley once again. A subsequent move to Texas and chance encounters with the ukulele and the kazoo prompted her to jump head-first into the Houston and international ukulele music scenes. Now Ashley combines her extensive professional background in PR with her music to inspire & help others to step outside their comfort zones and lead more fulfilling lives.

Check out Ashley's other musical ventures: https://www.ashleyorlando.com

Ukulele Performance Instructor

Hi everyone! I am Evan J De Silva, a proud and passionate ukulele player!

The truth is I was initially interested in a guitar instead (at 8 years old in late 2013). However, my dad refused to get me a guitar because he said my fingers were too small. It made me feel very heartbroken. After several trips to the mall, my eyes caught sight of what looked like tiny guitars, which I then learned was called the ukulele! After some persistence, my dad finally said yes and got me my first ukulele. It was one of my happiest days ever.

My dad taught me my first chords and the rest was history. Not having any formal ukulele classes, I started watching YouTube videos online. Today I can play more complicated songs, but I still remember the first song I played was a simple Christmas song, ‘Jingle Bells’. I was over the moon to have finally mastered my first song.

The underrated ukulele can sound just as amazing as other popular instruments. I have never looked back since becoming a ukulele player. In 2018, I was the first to audition at a music school with the ukulele alone! Not only did I get in, but I received a scholarship from the music school as well.

Let’s Uke On!

Check out Evan's other musical ventures: https://evanjdesilva.com

Ukulele Instructor

Mika Kane is a professional 'ukulele artist/teacher from O'ahu, Hawai’i. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music with an 'Ukulele focus and a Masters Degree in Educational Foundations from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. As an educator following in the footsteps of his mentor Dr. Byron Yasui, Mika recently finished teaching for four years at the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility and now teaches online 'ukulele as a lecturer at The University of Hawai'i West O'ahu and Windward Community College. He also teaches private online lessons full-time with students from all over the world through his own business, Mika Kane Music.

In his free time, he does professional sound samples, podcasts, and other side work for The Ukulele Site and Ukulele Friend. Mika also plays professionally as a duo with Kala'e Camarillo through various events, weddings, and gigs in Hawai'i.

Check out Mika's other teaching & musical ventures: https://www.mikakane.com

Ukulele Performance Instructor

My name is AJ Hirsch, and I am an Atlanta based musician, composer, and instructor. Music has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember listening to classic rock and blues music.

In 2014, I graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music and have since been performing, teaching, and composing original music for guitar, ukulele, piano, and lap steel.

Check out AJ's other teaching & musical ventures: https://1on1musicacademy.com