who am i
My name is Sara McConnell. I live in Mammoth Lakes, CA with my husband and 5 kids. I grew up surrounded by music and at an early age started gaining a passion for singing. However, I didn't play any instruments, other than the flute for a year or two in Elementary School, but I don't count that. In High School I was in the church choir, as well as a small ensemble and my love of singing really took off.
I tried several times to play the guitar, thinking I could use it to sing along with, but finally accepted that it just wasn't for me. A few years back we took the kids to Hawaii and I decided to get an Ukulele on the last day before heading home. It sat next to my bed for an entire year before I made the time to pick it up and learn it. It was an instant connection! I found that I now had a way to express my music, the kind that I wanted to sing and play, the way that I wanted to sing and play it.
After only a few months I started going to a weekly Open Mic night at one of our local breweries and I would go up with my music in front of me, and struggle through songs, and charm the crowd with my persistence and guts. I slowly learned more songs, and eventually I left my music at home. I attribute this to so much personal growth. Through this experience I became less shy in speaking in front of crowds and much more confident. I also learned to put myself out there and be vulnerable. There is so much to be gained in growing yourself publicly, and I learned that when you do this, it also helps others to do the same.
Now I play at any Open Mic I can get to, and book gigs around town playing for local businesses and non profits. In September of 2018 I started an after school Uke Club for the local kids to learn to play the Ukulele as well and I have had a blast passing on my love of music and this little stringed instrument. After school closed due to Covid, I moved our weekly lessons online and the kids have continued to learn and have a blast! I think that music is such an important part of life. As well as being able to express yourself in a way that you enjoy. I hope to be able to keep providing that for kids in our community.
Because of the success I have seen with my students and the zoom lessons, I recently started offering Ukulele lessons to people outside of Mammoth as well. If you are looking to learn an new instrument, or improve on what you already know, I am offering both group and private lessons. I would love to hear fro you and work with you to reach your goals!