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.

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Video tutorials

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

Cali’s schedule

Zoom classes, workshops, appearances and more!

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Donations

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

e-Newsletter

…I really enjoyed the Beginning Ukulele class. You are such an amazing teacher! I so appreciated your talent, teaching style and patience. I also really liked the information filled notebooks and summary emails you sent after every class. You have inspired me to pick up my ukulele every day and play.

—Marlou 12/16

“Congratulations on your success. You are putting smiles on people’s faces far and wide. What pleasure–and humor. I tell you, my tush is happier for having listened.”

— Diane V.

Just wanted to tell you that you do really great work! With respect and admiration…

—Sue 7/17

Thank you for your inspiration in these difficult times.

—B.B.

“Just played your CD twice and loved it each time. Is the story of your VW bug true to life? The songs you write always amaze me. So creative.” (Says Cali: Yes, everything in the song really happened. To my first car AND me.)

— Diane C.

THANK YOU Cali! For your irresistible enthusiasm, skills, caring and sharing the music with us. You mix things up and make us laugh and really listen to people, Cali, all of which makes you a very rare, special, wonderous teacher students love to follow. Thanks for all you…

—T.

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

—N.H.

Thank you for your loving time and effort you put into our weekly lessons. You are greatly appreciated. Have a wonderful 2021 year.

—K.

Thank you so much for putting in hours of work so that we can enjoy and learn. Music therapy is the greatest for me.

—M.

Your writing style is so witty and entertaining–you simply MUST write a book, my dear!

— Betsy B.

You had a huge part in it, my friend/mentor. You nurtured/awakened my musical side, and now I’m in 3 (three!) choirs, taking voice lessons (who knew a relaxed jaw gives you resonance?) and all those uke jams, performing (for money!), sounding better than I have in my whole life,…

—T.O.

I was in your Boulevard Music ukulele class yesterday, and I just wanted to let you know how excited and happy it made me. I think you’re a terrific teacher, and I’m looking forward to the next three weeks, and beginning, in those weeks, to learn to play the ukulele. Thanks…

—Jane S. 1/14

“Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Cali Rose, has produced a delightful and eclectic brew of fun, playfulness, intelligence and wit. Her piano and guitar playing is also excellent and she is joined by many talented musicians on this CD. She may be goofy, but she sure is good!”

— Picklehead Music

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.

“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.

I really love both Monday and Thursday classes and hope you continue your Zoom classes even when our quarantine time is lifted.

—T.L.

I wanted to thank you and let you know how much I’m enjoying these zoom meetups. Your song selections and arrangements are wonderful, and they strike just the right balance of fun and challenging — I always learn something new. During quarantine, it has been so nice to…

— B.

“Just wanted to let you know that I am thoroughly enjoying your music. You have a new fan here in Connecticut… Here’s to smiles and sunshine.”

— Jane C.

Cali, your class has been one of the highlights of the pandemic for me. I enjoy learning new things in your classes and appreciate all the knowledge of music you have shared with us. I love how you are always cheerful and happy in class and how you let…

—L.

“I have to say again how very much I enjoy your CDs. It feels like you singing just for me when I listen. Maybe it’s because I know you or perhaps it’s because I have seen you perform live, I don’t know. Your music feels personal to me. I…

— Doug W.

Can I mention that we all play in a group led by Cali Rose in Culver City and she is just amazing! She writes great ukulele charts and we adore her! Thanks Cali.

—V.

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

Thank you for providing this special forum. Although I only see most of the folks in your classes virtually, I feel the sense of community and love that comes through – a large part because of you and the tone that you’ve set. Brava!

— L.

Thank you for all that you do for us, Cali. You’ve motivated me to actually practice and try to get rid of my sloppy fret habits

—Zoom Participant

You are an awesome teacher! The best I’ve ever had! Hasta mañana!

—Lyn

Thank you for all your amazing efforts throughout the year. Your efforts and actions are absolutely phenomenal! Almost outside of human range. Thank you for your fortitude and commitment to making this world a better place. You do! You truly make a difference!

—B.D.

“I LOVE the CD!!!! I am on my second listen and this morning I found myself just smiling. I actually have felt “not so happy” lately and then a series of things, your CD being one of them, turned on the happy inside. My favorites so far: This Morning…

— Peggy K.F.

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.

“…a sweet and simple joy to listen to. What an uplifting array of music and lyric. I am so impressed with your originals, your poetry, singing, and with your ukulele playing! It’s a first class production, and I wish you all the success that you have merited in the…

— Emerson P.

Thank you once again, Cali, for sharing your special magic and the magic of the ukulele!

—N.

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!

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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.