Ukulele Judges

David Chen

The Ukulele – A Divine Gift

Ukulele Music Therapy:
In 2008, David Chen, after a decade as an engineer, found himself devoid of passion in his work. Seeking guidance, he prayed for renewed purpose. Shortly after, a doctor proposed an opportunity in music therapy, igniting David’s excitement to work with those on the autism spectrum. In his quest for an instrument that’s both easy to play and sing, he stumbled upon the ukulele.

Among the memorable cases in his music therapy journey was a 4-year-old boy with slight autism. When he held the ukulele for the first time, he not only began to move and express himself but also surprised his mother, who tearfully shared, “My son was unable to speak, but through the ukulele, I heard his singing.”

Convinced of the ukulele’s healing power, David transitioned from being a part-time ukulele teacher and music therapist to a full-time commitment. A year later, he authored the first ukulele tutor book in Taiwan and China, garnering invitations to promote the ukulele in China.

Journey to Hawaii for Ukulele Mastery:
To deepen his understanding, David ventured to Hawaii, immersing himself in various ukulele activities, festivals, and seeking guidance from proficient teachers. His encounter with Kimo Hussey and his unique two-finger style during the Hawaii Ukulele Picnic left a lasting impression.

In 2012, David brought Kimo to Taiwan for the Ukulele Festival, conducting 5 successful workshops and concerts attended by over 600 people. His dedication extended to following Kimo to different countries, absorbing diverse teaching methodologies.

Taiwan Ukulele Festival:
Over the years, David has organized 12 Taiwan Ukulele Festivals, witnessing its annual growth. The event has become more international, fostering collaborations with ukulele promoters worldwide.

Ukulele’s Transformative Impact:
David’s initiatives extended beyond festivals. He established an ukulele certificate system, training hundreds of teachers and enriching the lives of thousands of students in Taiwan and China. The outreach programs reached children in mountains and correctional facilities, witnessing remarkable positive changes as they became happier and more confident.

In reflection, David expresses a deep sense of blessing for having found the ukulele, recognizing its profound ability to change lives. The journey outlined here not only narrates a personal evolution but also illustrates the ukulele’s capacity to bring joy, healing, and positive transformation to individuals and communities.

David Chen

The President of China International Ukulele Association
Alibaba Group Ukulele Instructor
Apple company Ukulele Instructor
Education Background
Music Technology in York University in UK, MSc
Distributed Multimedia in Leeds University in UK, MSc

Experience

Performed in “Shanghai Concert Hall” and “ShenZhen Concert Hall”.
Concerts and Workshops in Hawaii Prague/ Vienna/ Munich / China / Korea / Japan /
Singapore / Malaysia / Hong Kong / Macau / Finland
The Host of Taiwan Ukulele Festival
The Host of Shanghai Ukulele Festival
The Host of Shanghai International Ukulele Contest
The Judge of Taiwan / Korea / Malaysia Ukulele Contests
The Judge of Taiwan Ukulele Certification
Ukulele Lecture in the music department of National Normal Taiwan University
Workshop – Traditional Hawaiian Two Finger Style
The workshop mainly focuses on two -finger style technique which is traditional Hawaiian
style, the feature of the style enables the players to play melody / harmony/ rhythm at the same
time easily and also gives the feeling of relaxation.
Besides, it covers some idea of how to arrange the music and the chord progression properly. It
is a different way of exploring ukulele, please join us to experience it.

Eric Wong

Eric Wong is a talented musician proficient in playing the ukulele and electric guitar. He specializes in various styles of accompaniment including Rock, Funk, R&B, Bossa Nova, and Jazz, providing singers and audiences with a better sense of rhythm and atmosphere.

As the founder of Weilejia Music (维乐家音乐) and a music instructor at Aiya Music (哎呀音乐), Eric’s teaching style is clear, humorous, and easy to understand. His supportive guidance makes it easy for students to learn and enjoy the music. With a wealth of experience in stage performance programming, he has assisted many companies in organizing events such as annual meetings and celebrations.

Recent Performance Experiences:

Joyce Chu performed at the Wugongshan Music Festival 2023 with Gary from Park and Coffee, showcasing her skills on guitar and ukulele.
Participated in the “2023 Setting Sail in the Greater Bay Area Concert” with Blood-pumping ensemble performances alongside Zeng Byte and Wu Zhuoxi.
Showcased guitar skills at the Longgang Sound Wave Ring Plan by Xiao Tong.
Performed as a guitarist at the Guangzhou “Coffee Power” Boutique Coffee Culture Festival.
Played guitar at the 28th Guangzhou International Record Audio Exhibition Lawn Music Festival as an accompanist for the renowned DJ Mr. Liang Yuchong.
Served as the artistic director for the “Music Play Coffee Music Festival” during the May Day Golden Week at the Florence Town.
Played bass live at the “Casual Jam Session and Friends’ Early Summer Date” by You Shengchang.
Showcased guitar skills at the Cyber Band’s Surf Rock-themed Music Banquet.
Played bass live at the MPK Livehouse’s Leslie Cheung Special.
Performed as a guitarist at Hooley’s Open Mic.
Skilled in playing Ukulele, Electric Guitar, and Bass.
A seasoned music instructor, the founder of Weilejia Music, and a Ukulele instructor at Aiya Music.

Alex Koh

Alex Koh has over a decade of experience teaching music to a diverse range of students, from children to adults. His primary goal is to serve as a facilitator of learning and a mediator of discourse, rather than simply dictating information to his students.

Alex believes that he can learn just as much from his students as they can learn from him. Therefore, he strives to show his students the same level of respect they show him by encouraging a free exchange of ideas and interpretations.

To achieve this, he allows his students to have a say in selecting the music they perform and the specific content they wish to learn. He understands that music can evoke different emotions and hold unique meanings for each individual.

Alex aims to validate his students’ feelings and personal connections to music by providing them with a platform to share their experiences. This approach allows students to combine their diverse perspectives and create a more profound and comprehensive interpretation of a piece.

Alex is committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful learning environment where students are empowered to explore and express their musical passions.