WCCʻs Hawaii Music Institute will be hosting music workshops April 24 to May 22, featuring several masters in their fields.

Saturday, April 24 - Beginning 'Ukulele, 10 a.m. to noon in Hale Palanakila Room 104. The workshop will cover simple chords, strumming techniques, lyrics and pronunciation of "old time" Hawaiian songs.

Wednesday, April 28 - Slack Key Guitar, 6 to 8 p.m. in Hale 'Ākoakoa Room 105. The workshop will focus on open G tuning and the chords and lyrics of a traditional song using the tablature method.

Both workshops will be taught by WCC professor Ron Loo, respected kumu mele, instructor, entertainer, and slack key master who has conducted numerous workshops on 'ukulele and slack key guitar.

Loo will be assisted by his son, Pomaika'i, a gifted musician who has helped his father teach workshops over the past eight years.

Friday, April 30 - Slack Key with Cyril Pahinui, 6 to 8 p.m. in Hale 'Ākoakoa Room 105. The workshop will focus on the open C tuning and the lyrics of traditional songs using the chord method. Slack key master Cyril Pahinui's unique vocal and slack key stylings have earned him two Grammies and several Na Hōkū Hanohano awards.

His presence in Waikiki and in workshops locally and on the mainland demonstrate his commitment to carry on the work and legacy of his father, Gabby Pahinui.

Saturday, May 8 - Hula 'Auana with Noenoe Zuttermeister, 10 a.m. to noon in Hale Palanakila Room 225. Learn the relationship of hula motions to the song of a mele from the island of Ni'ihau. The workshop will be taught by Zuttermeister, respected kumu hula and lecturer at UH-Manoa.

Thursday, May 13 Mele with Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Hale 'Ākoakoa Room107. This workshop will focus on what makes up mele (song), kaona (hidden meaning) and how it fits into poetry and how to see and understand the "other" meanings couched in Hawaiian mele.

Nogelmeier is an associate professor of Hawaiian language at the UH-Manoa and respected author, teacher, composer, and translator.

Saturday, May 22 - Bluegrass Guitar with Killian Reece, 10 a.m. to noon at Hale Palanakila Room 104. Workshop focus is on the fundamentals of bluegrass.

Guitar master Killian Reece has an extensive background in theory and is accomplished in both traditional and contemporary bluegrass styles.

Workshops are $20 per person, per workshop, no limit and is open to students and the community alike. To register go windward.hawaii.edu/Hawaii_Music_Institute/Documents/2010/Mele_Workshop.html.