History of the Lamorinda Ukulele Club

Here are some of the major events that have shaped the Lamorinda Ukulele Club from its beginnings to what it is today.

2014 - 2019: The Carolyn years

Carolyn Bybee founded the Lamorinda Ukulele Club in 2014. She says, "I remember going into Lamorinda Music... (we) were looking for a place to play uke. The owner of the store came out from the back and said, 'Carolyn, you are musical. Why don't you start a group here?' I said 'OK'... and so began some of the most wonderful days of my life. So much fun and all that music!!"

2019: A new leadership model

Carolyn single-handedly led a 2-hour jam as a volunteer every Monday night at Lamorinda Music from 2014 until the last part of 2019, when she decided to retire from the position. By then, the group was thriving, well-established, and tight. A group of members stepped up to create a rotating leadership model, and the group continued.

2020: The year that changed everything

Our last in-person jam of 2020 was on March 9. Then we started a weekly newsletter,  which became our way to connect and continue our musical journey together. We had a Member of the Week, quizzes, a Song of the Week, Play-Along Videos, and more, all created by members. The newsletter continued for 4 months. Online meetings and events continued after that.

2021: Coming back together at Music in the Park

As we grappled with our separation, small groups began to form. One was the LOLs (Ladies of Lamorinda), who had made video contributions to the newsletter. In May 2021 they started to hold small gatherings in Larkey Park in Walnut Creek that grew and eventually became Music in the Park. What bliss to be together with our peeps, chatting, singing, and strumming with the sun on our smiling faces among majestic trees!

2022: The return of the Monday Night Ukulele Jam

We held indoor Monday night jams three times in mid 2021, but conditions didn't allow for any more than that. By May 2022,  Covid had settled down somewhat, and we had found a larger, more well-ventilated space at a church in Walnut Creek. We began to meet there regularly and haven't stopped since!

2023 and beyond: Stronger than ever!

Everything in our club is done by member volunteers. At the end of 2023, Laura and Jen stepped forward to become the regular jam leaders of the Monday Night Ukulele Jam. Dave and Chris have run our database and mailing list from the beginning and continue to do so. Ellen and Barry carry on the Music in the Park tradition. We continue to love making music together and look forward to more!