About AllforUke

I can trace the humble beginnings of what was to become AllForUke back to two specific events. One in 2011, when I picked up (and later impulse purchased) a Kala Tenor ukulele in Davenport, Iowa. Yes, Iowa. The second was the day I uploaded my first YouTube video ‘The Happiest Ukulele Song in the World.’ That shaky, wind blown gem was filmed on my phone leaning up against a rock somewhere in central Illinois, but ultimately was the video that kickstarted my love for teaching ukulele. Folks wanted to know how to play this song, and I felt compelled to show them!

Hundreds, maybe thousands of videos, courses, pdfs, workshops and private lessons later, AllForUke slowly morphed into this swanky website + ukulele community where we find ourselves today. Always with a purpose of sharing my love for ukulele, offering guidance and putting my best foot forward, I strive to create content to help you become a more confident, comfortable, ukulele player. Every day you spend some time smiling and playing ukulele is a good day, trust me! I’m very grateful to have you spending your time learning with me and look forward to our journey together!

About Kevin Presbrey

Music was foreign to me until about age 17. No classical training. No wrist slapping piano lessons, just lots of school work, playing team sports and listening to classic rock on road trips with my parents. Late in my high school years, my interest in music heightened quite a bit, and I was fortunate enough to have an uncle who offered to teach me how to play Stairway to Heaven on the guitar. Yes, Stairway lol. I had no idea what a music note was, let alone a chord, but he was patient with me, encouraged me to PRACTICE SLOWLY, and after many days of achy fingertips I started making a little bit of progress. 

College came and went and I found myself starting to write my own songs, performing at open mic nights and working on my first home recordings. The songs were bad, the recordings were worse, but my love for playing never wavered. I kept working at my craft, every day, every night, and after a while the songs improved enough to get my first paying gigs. My parents were none too thrilled when I decided to pursue music after college, but determination is a hell of a drug and I’m always up for a challenge. 

Well, today I can proudly say I work as a full time music educator, songwriter and performer. I can tell you with 100% certainty that it didn’t happen because I was exuding talent. My growth as a musician happened with daily focused practice and determination. The great thing about learning an instrument is that the process of learning NEVER ends. Inspiration is all around you and there are always cool new things to learn. I still wake up every day excited to pick up my ukulele! Never forget that you’re having FUN. 

Why did I tell you this long winded story? Well, because no matter when you start playing music, you can grow as a musician with a little time and effort. Talent isn’t a limiting factor, time is. Spend time with your ukulele, enjoy the process and the results are limitless. Now, let’s get to it!