Welcome | Cali Rose

Welcome to my website and blog!

Singer, ukulele and piano player, teacher, songwriter, entertainer and recording artist. What fun!

for news about Zoom classes, jams, shows and my blog

Ukulele tutorial: “Better Times Will Come”

Janis Ian has generously shared her glorious and uplifting song with musicians everywhere, to learn, record, and share. Read more and get the chart.

View all tutorials

lots of people in squares using zoom to have ukulele classes

Zoom classes and lessons

Learn ukulele and have some fun! Donation-based Zoom classes for beginners and intermediates—open to the public!

Join in the fun!

Cali’s Ukulele Kids Club Academy Workshop

Learn to play and sing Cali’s tune “OO-KOO-LAY-LAY” — with all kinds of ways to fancy things up!! Get the sheet music here. The UKC is an international organization that helps children overcome the stress of serious health conditions by playing the ukulele. Check out their website and their YouTube page for more academy workshops.

The CC Strummers… in the news!

A great video story by Kristopher Gee about Cali Rose and The CC Strummers – read it here!

Cali Rose featured in OokTown’s Ukulele Podcast

Coming to you straight outta Culver City, Cali Rose comes to talk to us about the beginnings of The CC Strummers, affirms the power of the ukulele in music therapy, and takes us through her journey from studying nursing to full-time musician. Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown. Watch on YouTube or Listen on iTunes.

a cartoon of a laptop playing a ukulele video

Video tutorials

Pick up new ukulele skills at your own pace. Chords, embellishments and more!

Cali’s schedule

Zoom classes, workshops, appearances and more!

a button with two hands exchanging a red cut-out heart

Donations

Suggested donation per Zoom class is $5. Read about the preparation that goes into each class.

e-Newsletter

Thank you so much Cali for bringing the uke into my life – much better than Prozac. I wanted you to know I bought a Toys R Us uke for my 3 year old granddaughter. I’m hooked and practice every day. If Congress could take ukulele lessons from you,…

— Anita J.

Finding your class was like winning the lottery. You make it so much fun and so very rewarding.

— Barbara K.

We just wanted to let you know how very much we are enjoying your classes… you are helping to keep our spirits up as well as improve our ukulele skills. Thank you once again.

—B.

This is the first time I’m actually learning how to play the ukulele properly! It’s been quite challenging but fun! You’ve already answered some of my questions that I had about fingering. Your explanations about fingering are helpful and I like your flexibility about allowing us to find…

—C.L.

Thank you for another fun week. I look forward to learning something new from each class and am never disappointed.

—L.K.

Thanks for keeping all of us seniors busy singing, playing the ukulele, and having a good time. Always looking forward to your classes. Thanks!

Love, Tom

Thank you very much for making the trek to our oasis group yesterday…. i was very enthusiastic about you both being there and playing for us all…. so talented… and inspirational you both are with your own unique individual styles… and i loved that you remembered me from your…

— Kim

As I have always said since I met you, “I go to the class, because you are cheaper than a psychiatrist, and much more fun.

—V.

Your album is terrific! Indeed, it IS AMAZING what 4 strings will do ! Especially in your hands! Your energy and talent just blasts out of the speakers. Yes, you INDEED “got rhythm.” The album very definitely celebrates the simple things- like Smiling- like grabbing a little sunshine- like…

— Alan A.

Thank you for your inspiration in these difficult times.

—B.B.

“Hi young lady – I wear a size 10 shoe, and I have forever – big feet give us a good foundation and able to deal with life with all its good and bad surprises.”

— Janet F.

You are our Den Mother! I’ve never met a teacher, coach, mentor or guide who took such pride in her charges, befriended all and supported all with that brilliant smile, sense of humor and empathy. Your spirit is the drive behind the success of CCS, Cali. We play our hearts…

Love, Toni 2/2017

“I have officially worn out your new CD! I have played it at home, in the car, in other people’s cars, on the computer….you name it. I love it! Every song has its own personality and unique vibe. What truly makes it special is the fact that it puts…

— Noelle T.

Thanks you, Cali. You are terrific fun. Good teacher too.

—B.

THANK YOU!! for having us “in class” and I am truly enjoying it. You give me joy, motivation, inspiration, and you make us laugh! And I’m sure most of us feel the same! Keep up the great work that you are doing, especially during this covid-19 crisis. Thanks,…

—S.

Your classes are so much fun and informative. I so look forward to every class and really missed them when I didn’t have my iPad.

—L.K.

Note: This album was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album in the 2009 Hawaii Music Awards. It didn’t win and some folks were a little upset about that, like Ric Douglas, who wrote me the message below… 8 things That Can’t Be Robbed From Cali Are: Classiness Grace Musicianship Poise …

— Anon

I also have to compliment you on how you chunk songs together using a common key for the theme for each session and your seamless spiraling upward of strum and fret fingering techniques at each session.

—T.

Cali, I enjoyed your class Wednesday for the children’s uke group. One eye-opener for me: I’d wondered how to remember embellishments, and you mentioned printing empty uke grids!! Brilliant, and just what I needed. Thanks so much for all your amazing efforts and expertise!

—D., Ukulele Kids Club Participant

Thank you for your time and the love you put into your classes. You don’t know how much we appreciate it, especially during these trying times.

—K.

Thanks for keeping up the spirits of so many people!!

N.H.

“I listened to “Are You Having Any Fun?” and I truly had fun listening. I laughed and nearly cried. Your music Cali gives so much, a whole philosophy, your personality, as well as pleasure. I so enjoyed.”

— Leslie W.

Thanks Cali!! I’m really grateful for access to your music arrangements and for learning with the CC Strummers!! Be well!

—N.H.

I’m thoroughly enjoying these classes! Thank you for all the time you put into these workshops, classes, gig’s (latest flash mob was the best!), music arrangements and everything else you do for us.

—Susan C. 5/16

My dearest Cali, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy what you write in the hopes that we learn what you are trying to instill in us. Your dedication is amazing, and your love for your teaching, and for us is to be greatly admired. You will never know…

—Victoria R. M. 3/2017

Thank you! Your extra advice during the class helps enormously, as does your encouragement.

— RK

I was listening to it at work today, the songs are very clever and your voice is gorgeous! Keep up the good work, and WAKE UP.

— David G.

Thanks Cali for the joy you put in the universe.

—N.

Your song “Something Wonderful Happened Today” was SO GOOD. Seriously, I was stunned at how terrific you are on ukulele. After I watched and listened to you, I told my wife that you’re an amazing ukulele musician. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Cheers.

—B., Ukulele Kids Club Academy Workshop

Thank YOU for teaching. I am so enjoying your classes. I consider your Zoom classes one of the few silver linings of this crazy pandemic. Cheers.

Cali’s version of Chopsticks

Cali sings her own song “Smile, Smile, Smile

This Morning Something Wonderful Happened to Me (I Woke Up)

Cali Rose plays “The Way You Look Tonight” on piano

View more videos

The CC Strummers

Cali leads this ukulele group and teaches two weekly Zoom classes. Players local to the Culver City area are welcome to join our in-person jams.

Teaching

Cali teaches private lessons online and hosts fun group workshops and strum-alongs.

In the news

Cali was recently the featured instructor at a Ukulele Kids Club event. Read more!

a woman sitting on a couch using a computer

Cali’s blog

Read the latest stories and musings from Cali Rose. Sign up and get them delivered to your inbox, too!

Cali’s Blog

HELLO 2024 AND HELLO YOU!

ByCali Rose January 1, 2024January 1, 2024

16 Comments

The last blog I wrote was about Will Smith taking a swing at Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. What year was that? Feels like ancient history, considering all that is happening in the world. In our heads. And hearts. Well I’ve missed writing and connecting with you. The “music thing” has kind of taken over my life and this worker-bee loves to work. I still do one gig a week, teaching beginning ukulele at a local retirement community. Our … Read More

A SMACK GOES VIRAL AND THE STORIES WE TELL

ByCali Rose April 2, 2022April 4, 2022

8 Comments

I’m watching the Academy Awards, answering emails and cleaning my desk. That’s when I see Jada Pinkett Smith, sitting in the swanky front row with her husband Will Smith. The next presenter, Chris Rock, lays into her with a lame joke about her hair. She’s rolling her eyes and looking very pissed-off. Hubby is laughing, kind of fakey-like. Until he isn’t. That’s when he bounds on stage, all huffy-puffy, and smacks Chris Rock in the noggin. My computer screen goes … Read More

ONE YEAR LATER

ByCali Rose March 12, 2022March 14, 2022

29 Comments

One year ago, Friday, March 12, 2021, I had big plans for the day — two Zoom gigs and a Covid surge take-out dinner with my sweetie, wrapped and ready to go from our favorite Mexican Restaurant, Paco’s Taco’s.

But…

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans,” wrote John Lennon. Instead of enchiladas, I stared down a baby bowl of tepid vegetable soup that a guy from dietary delivered to my hospital room.