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.  

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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!