![Ukulele neck, University of Alessandria, and J.S. Bach and Ernest ka'ai](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ukulele-degree-italy.jpg?fit=768%2C359&ssl=1)
Dr. Giovanni Albini has founded the first university-level study program dedicated to ukulele on an international level
![ukulele holiday spirit 4 victoria vox and friends](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ukulele-holiday-spirit-4-victoria-vox-and-friends-e1703180929263.png?fit=768%2C378&ssl=1)
Here's a variety of flavors for your ukulele holidays, with four stylistically diverse tunes
![Gator Frameworks ukulele cradle mic stand](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Uke-Mag-Ukulele-and-drink-hook-1.jpeg?fit=768%2C512&ssl=1)
These oft-overlooked gift options focus on the player
![Music and Meals for Maui livestream crew and performers](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ukulele-scene-maui-fundraiser-last-group-shot-BTS.jpg?fit=768%2C428&ssl=1)
When news of the devastation first broke, there was a rallying cry from the worldwide ukulele community of “How can I help?”
![the Las Cruces Ukes perform at Ukefest Las Cruces](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/UkeFest-Las-Cruces-New-Mexico.jpg?fit=768%2C542&ssl=1)
For the 4-piece band the Smoking Jackets, seeing how Las Cruces Ukes nourished its members—even while they were just tiny boxes on a screen—made this year’s festival feel so triumphant.
![ukulele magazine readers](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/web_UkeTales-e1680545773311.jpg?fit=768%2C578&ssl=1)
Readers describe battling stage fright, the satisfaction of building your own ukulele, and, of course, the joy of playing with friends and for others.
![Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo`ole](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Israel-“Iz”-Kamakawiwoole.jpeg?fit=528%2C600&ssl=1)
Because the ukulele has been the favored instrument of so many Hawaiian players, there are a slew of classic albums worth investigating. Here are 5 essential Hawaiian ukulele albums.
![collage of album covers by great uke players](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ukulele-top-albums-featured-image.png?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Explore ukulele history with must-hear records from the 1920s to the present day, plus ten favorite albums from the past ten years.
![ukulele sustainability, lush green waterfall inside a bamboo ukulele soundhole photo illustration](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/More-ukulele-makers-and-players-are-finally-seeing-the-forest-for-the-trees-e1645738047581.jpg?fit=768%2C583&ssl=1)
From large manufacturers to solitary craftspeople, ukulele makers are making greener choices and embracing the shift towards responsible, sustainable practices.
![uke holiday spirit 2022 winter, Heidi Sweberg and Daniel Ward](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/uke-holiday-spirit-2022-winter.png?fit=768%2C435&ssl=1)
In our final Holiday Spirit collection for 2022, we celebrate the solstice with an ode to winter in these 5 ukulele videos.