Welcome | Cali Rose

Welcome to my website and blog!

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

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.

Cali, So glad you are back in the saddle! I’m looking forward to working out arrangements and becoming fluent with the ever increasing bag of tricks. You and the musical journey we are all on together makes a big difference in our lives and our world. Thank you.

— C.

Cali Rose … Your piano playing is sumptuous! You’re such a dynamic and lovely performer! Thanks for sharing.

—Kate M.

You have started something truly special, Cali, something that really matters to so many people. They reflect your kindness, compassion and love of music. I was privileged to be part of such love for as long as I could. Bless you.

— Toni 6/2018

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

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

I really enjoy trying to play and sing along with your class and totally love being a part of it, even if it’s from across the ocean. I love the embellishments you show us as well as tips on how to change chords more easily. Thank you so…

—L.

Thank you Thank you Thank you! Loved yesterday. You answered so many questions I had, and filled in a lot of blanks, that helped me understand way better what we’re covering… Did I say Thank You?

—Toni 12/16

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.

Your enthusiastic and supportive dedication to the CC Strummers and those of us here stands high in my mental list of things for which I continue to be grateful.

—C.

I enjoyed the part of class that I was able to attend today. I found your overview about melody, rhythm, and harmony clarifying. I know there’s a good chance I’ve heard you say it before, but somehow today I took it in, so thank you.

—S.K., Ukulele Kids Club Participant

“…it’s the players like you and Craig that make the world of ukulele what it is. Put a guitar in someone’s hands and they want to be a rock start. Put a Hawaiian ukulele in someone’s hands and they just want to play music and smile.”

— Mickey Maguire of Uke Player Magazine

Thank you for your inspiration in these difficult times.

—B.B.

“It’s delightful and very much a reflection of who you are.”

— Jim Beloff

“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.

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.

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

— Barbara K.

You really have created an amazing community/ohana with your excellent personality and teaching abilities, my Dear. So many of us have remained connected during this dreadful pandemic because of YOU! Thank you.

— E.

Just want to congratulate you on your program today. It went really well. I loved being present for it. Joyful. You alternated between the individual singers and the group songs so fluidly. And it all was within the hour. Flawless.

— A.

We just got finished with our lesson, and I must tell you that you have inspired a renewed vow to practice and break though to a new level on the uke! Thank you! Your explanations, your suggestions and recommendations, your ideas and your critical analysis of where and how…

— Porter G.

Cali, your workshops are the highlight of my week. Thank you!

—S.

“Very funny and on the money! This whole album is a gem.” — KAOS Radio

—KAOS Radio

Thanks Cali for the joy you put in the universe.

—N.

I am happy to be back with you again! And after more than two years, my fingers still remember and were not sore. I am grateful and appreciate your zoom classes. You are effective and always a fantastic teacher! I especially like the close ups of your strumming…

— A.

“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.

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

“Congratulations to you on your joyous, funny, uplifting CD! I especially like ‘I woke up’ and Happy Birthday. And related so well to the saga of the VW (my ’67 red bug remains my favorite car of all time, it ran like it thought it…

— E.P.

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

—K.

“Your classes are a joy and I’m so thankful for Zoom so I can “attend.”

—C.

“In her most recent work, multi-talented singer/songwriter Cali Rose offers up an eclectic brew of cute, witty and sarcastic little songs, musings and observations. Delivered in an effective, low-key manner, this comedy/acoustic album interestingly meshes together many of Rose’s various musical influences. From blues, country, jazz, pop and Latin…

— Campus Circle

Look forward to your class. I appreciate your patience and kindness and the participants.

—E.

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!

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Donations

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

e-Newsletter

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

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

27 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.

CARDIAC REHAB –THE GRAND FINALE OR HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE DUMBBELLS AND TRIGGER BALLS

ByCali Rose October 6, 2021March 1, 2022

20 Comments

The staff in Cardiac Rehab at UCLA offered me a cap and gown for this momentous occasion: Graduation. I thought they were kidding. They weren’t kidding nor were they laughing as hard as I was…