New York Ukulele School

Before I took lessons with Mark I was noodling around with my ukulele for about 2 years. I was a novice to stringed instruments and wasn’t making much progress on my own.
After taking an 8 week group class with Mark, I have gained proficiency in ukulele techniques like strumming, chunking, basic fingerpicking and I’ve learned 13 chords. I am honestly stunned by how much progress I’ve made in 8 weeks, it makes me wish I took lessons 2 years ago.
I didn’t know all of the songs when I got started, just because it’s not in my background. Mark helped me through playing them, sightreading and after diligent practicing, it’s opened up new artists to me. His style of teaching focuses on building up proper fingering and strumming technique and he swiftly breaks bad habits and corrects form. This is valuable for new players!
Playing with Mark is like having a fun uncle who wants you to excel. He’s really a slice of broadway and old new york, which I appreciate.

I’m 68, which I believe makes me a senior. Still, I have decent vocal chops and an abiding dream of singing and playing in a jazz and pop ensemble – both for fun as well as for potential volunteer gigs on the nursing home circuit.
Before working with Mark Michaels, I spent four years learning to play the uke on my own, but I finally decided that if I was ever going to achieve my dream, I needed to kick it up a few notches and find a teacher. Mark seemed like a good fit, so I started with 4 sessions and immediately thereafter went for the 12-​lesson package. So far, I’ve completed six, and I can enthusiastically recommend the school to anyone who’s serious about learning to play this beguiing but deceptively simple instrument.
Mark encourages me to focus on the songs I want to sing and to go at my own pace – all the while providing just the right amount of instructive feedback and nudging. I’ve learned far more from him in these past weeks than I did during my four years with You Tube. I’m definitely being challenged – but in a good way. It is true. Mark is a character. He’s a New Yorker through and through. He expresses his feelings and opinions directly and emphatically. He’s also a consummate professional musician and a dedicated, skilled teacher. Music is sacred to him, and he’s passionate about it.
The building where his studio is located is filled with musicians, production companies, instrument makers, and others working in the performing arts. To me, it’s a treasure trove; and just walking the halls, hearing what’s coming from behind the doors, and peeking in when a door is open, is an adventure.
I’m grateful to have stumbled on this school.

My experience with Mark Michaels was completely different than anyone else who has written a review.
I took a series of private lessons. I am a senior citizen who has taken private lesson from different instructors with different Instruments. I have never cried during a lesson before! I explained that although I have some experience on other instruments I am not a skilled musician. I believe I was bullied and questioned when I was not familiar with certain songs particularly popular music familiar to black people since I am black.
I had specifically asked for finger style instruction which was only available at the first lesson. I can’t direct instruction I was looking for direction.
I would NOT recommend this school.
I did ask for a refund for my unused lessons which was denied by Mr. Michaels.

I recently completed an 8 week beginner’s class with Mark Michaels at the New York Ukelele School and I could not be more excited and happy with my experience there.
Mark is a gifted teacher with just the right blend of discipline and fun. He is encouraging to all his students, while enthusiastically pushing us to keep plugging. He is also well prepared and brings into the class a blend of music which will be appreciated by all his students, no matter their age or background.
if you want to enjoy playing the ukelele and develop a passion for such a FUN instrument, Mark Michaels is probably the wisest choice to be your teacher. He is knowledgeable and loves the instrument, as well as his students. A gifted teacher, he will guide you with his expertise and you will have more fun than you can imagine!!!
Happy playing!

Owner/​Instructor Mark Michael’s generosity has inspired me to write this glowing review. I missed a group class and Mark gave me a free 45 minute private make-​up lesson.
Not only is he a nice guy and a passionate musician, he’s also a great teacher. Having never played the ukulele, I signed up for the beginning group class. I’m only halfway through the lessons and I (along with all 3 of my classmates) can already play 8 songs! If he can teach me, he can teach you. This is one of the best things I’ve done all year.
I give the New York Ukulele School my highest recommendation.
Dennis

I have been taking ukulele lessons with Mark Michaels at the New York Ukulele School for the past three years and it has been fun, exciting, and often challenging. With my very limited musical ability, Mark has guided me into the incredible world of ukulele!
Mark is a very encouraging teacher – he knows when to push you, and when to take a step back when you’re struggling. He can transcribe any song to fit your singing voice, and it’s amazing to watch him listen to a song and quickly write down the music for you.
Mark’s extensive playing knowledge and performance experience add so much to his teaching. I am most impressed with how thoughtful he is with chord change fingerings. He’s really smart about how to approach a song and he always finds the most creative and efficient way to make difficult chord changes. He also knows so much about music in general, and we often have discussions about music, music theory, what makes a good song for the ukulele, and what makes a good song for the individual player.
One of my favorite parts of our lessons is after I have learned a song, I play it for Mark, and then he joins in with his fantastic ukulele embellishments for a lively duet. It sounds awesome and inspires me to improve and learn more about this lovely, wonderful instrument. With that said, it’s time to go and practice!!!

I’ve been using Aaron Dai at the New York Ukulele school for a while. He comes to my house to give me a lesson once a week in the evenings. He’s a great uke teacher and good at increasing the difficulty at the appropriate pace. I started as a complete novice and would now say I’m intermediate /​advanced.
He also has a deep music background in other instruments, theory and history, all of which interests me, and always makes the lessons more than just learning new chords and songs etc.
Also overall good person — my two year old daughter approves as well as she always asks «when is Aaron coming over».

I moved to Manhattan in September, and when looking for ukulele teachers, I discovered NY Ukulele School. I bought a package of 8 lessons to try it out. I would say I am an advanced beginner/​intermediate uke player.
The school in Manhattan is really one room, in a music building near Times Square, and my teacher is Mark Michaels.
I have enjoyed the lessons so much that I have bought several more packages, and have a lesson every week. I had been playing songs from ukulele books, and downloading chords and tabs from the internet, as well as lots of online lessons, and I have been to several ukulele camps. But nothing really beats taking private lessons from a good teacher.
Sometimes I have a song I want to learn, and other times I just ask him to pick something challenging. He seems to know how to play every song ever written, and anything you find on the internet or in a book he rearranges to make it vastly more interesting.
Mark is a great teacher, and he is also quite a character. Just make sure you show up for your lessons. He is busy and doesn’t like to reschedule, and if you cancel without sufficient warning, you will probably forfeit your lesson. That is just how it is.