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.

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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 absolutely love it! The song selection, vocals and musicianship are nothing less than stellar.”

— Bruce B.

“Got your CD and played it going to work today. It is wonderful!!!!!! Does put a big smile on my face.”

— Gregg W.

Everyone loves you. We laugh and laugh. Thanks for introducing me (and everyone else) to the ukulele.

—Susan

You have inspired me to push beyond just strumming…thank you for a most enlightening hour of my ukulele life. (Re: Chord Melody Workshop at the 2018 Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival).

—D.N.

Thank YOU for teaching. I am so enjoying your classes. I consider your Zoom classes one of the few silver linings of this crazy pandemic. Cheers.

“Cali is a witty, charming songwriter with a great sense of humor. Her keen sense of the obvious is truly a gift, seriously. All the simple things right under our noses that we may overlook in a particular situation, Cali sees them and hand it back to us in…

— Independent Songwriter Web Magazine

And I love your wonderful classes that I join every Thursday! A real highlight of my week, whether I’m in Cambridge, Cape Cod, or more recently NYC.

—L on the East Coast

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

— Barbara K.

“Hey Cali! Absolutely fabulous set… it was an honor to share a stage with you. I swear I’ve listened to your comedy disc a million times. I was singing along to “PMS Kind Of Day”. I hope to play with you again soon =)”

— Mike Cisneros (at Kahnapalooza 7/2010)

Today I became a CC strummer!! Cali is a fabulous teacher. Glad I was on mute. I wasn’t keeping up but I learned so much in one class! She’s amazing. I was very quiet. I sat in the hypothetical back row being a newbie!! I’ve got some practicing…

— L.

Thanks, Cali, for your expertise and humor.

—E.

There is no doubt, if we lived in Southern California, I would be attending your classes, once the virus is gone. The issue of the “D7” chord, all of a sudden I understood the reason for the variations of chords. Your explanations of the music is very easy…

—W.M.

Terrific Embellishments class today with UKC. So fun. I learned some cool stuff. Thank you.

—B.H., Ukulele Kids Club Participant

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

—Lyn

Note: This album was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album in the 2009 Hawaii Music Awards. It didn’t win and some folks were a little upset about that, like Ric Douglas, who wrote me the message below… 8 things That Can’t Be Robbed From Cali Are: Classiness Grace Musicianship Poise …

— Anon

“I am feeling so good – listening to your CD. it is really wonderful. you have such a gift in knowing how to say/sing uplifting words/messages. the ode to joy is the perfect ending too. Thank you!!”

— Anne G.

…I saw the Musician Fest video with you playing and singing for the seniors, great job! Carry on, you’re an inspiration!

—C.W.

“…the consistency I’ve heard in the songs are in the ‘spirit’ you successfully impart to your music. Music is rightfully comprised of several facets much beyond notes, chords and arrangements and I especially enjoy how I feel when I listen to your music.”

— Ukulele master Kimo Hussey

As I have always said since I met you, “I go to the class, because you are cheaper than a psychiatrist, and much more fun.

—V.

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

Love your Zoom classes with The CC Strummers. Thanks for all your good teaching and emphasis on rhythm. I wish to stay on Zoom—even when life returns to some “new” normal.

—C.J.

Thanks to you and your wonderful group again for your performance yesterday at the Culver City Woman’s club. You and your players have a lot of personality to go with your musical expertise. You have obviously brought a lot of joy into their lives and into ours yesterday. A special…

—Pat H. 5/2018

Thank you so much, Cali. Your classes are so enjoyable and it is a pleasure to be in your presence . I really look forward to your class.

—D.H.

I just wanted to let you know that your two albums I bought are helping me reach my new fitness goal. I am in the process of getting my health and physique back to when I started to be a flight attendant almost 30 years ago. I listen to…

—T.R.

You make your students happy they’re in your classes. You are an inspirational teacher. I often describe you as challenging us and balancing the challenges with praise for strums well done. A good formula!

— Wena 1/2018

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

—KAOS Radio

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.

We wanted to thank you for your Zoom meetings. Bill and I are enjoying them very much. (Being a bass player he loves that you put in the beats since he’s not familiar with many songs.) All you do takes a lot of time and we appreciate it….

— S. & B.

Always a pleasure to play with the CC Strummers!! Thank you for all you do!

—N.H.

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

—E.

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

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.