Free Ukulele Class in Kagman Community Center is Back

​The Kagman Community Center is once again filled with the sounds of strumming chords as "Voices of the Marianas," a local nonprofit organization, resumes its free Saturday ukulele classes last August 8. The center recently reopened for the musical program after temporarily serving as a community shelter.

​With the start of the Public School System’s new academic year, the organization has transitioned away from Friday sessions, consolidating all of its instruction to a busy Saturday schedule split between the Kagman Community Center and the Koblerville Youth Center.

​According to Miles Borja, one of the program's instructors, the classes have seen an overwhelming response from the community, leaving some sessions completely at capacity.

​"The Koblerville beginner session is already fully booked. It's typically at around 30 to 32 students there and about 15 for the advanced class," Borja shared. "As far as the Koblerville beginner class is concerned, we're actually not accepting any more applicants."

​However, there is good news for aspiring musicians in the Kagman area: the Kagman Community Center's 9:30 a.m. beginner session currently has around 12 applicants and is still welcoming new students.

​The free youth program, open to kids ages 7 to 16, aims to provide a well-rounded musical education. The beginner class starts at "ground zero," introducing students to the history of the ukulele, basic music theory, rhythm, and chords, as well as proper instrument care and stage etiquette. Meanwhile, the advanced class builds upon those core concepts and teaches students how to read traditional sheet music.

​Beyond learning notes and chords, the classes are rooted in building confidence and reconnecting the youth with their heritage.

​"There’s a cultural enrichment side of it. We are touching on traditional Chamorro songs, so it's good to bring people in touch with the culture and the language again," Borja explained, noting that the lessons have also been a personal journey of cultural discovery. "Two years ago, I didn't really know any Chamorro songs besides the national anthem... My dad actually writes original Chamorro music, and we have some of his songs in the lesson plan."

​Borja shared the most rewarding part of the program is watching the kids step out of their comfort zones.

​"The difference between the students at the start of the course versus the end is very, very big," Borja observed. "The kids warm up a lot, and they're very friendly to each other. They're typically a lot more outgoing... My hope is that they become independent, learn to assess themselves, teach themselves, and hopefully perform."

​That goal is strongly shared by parents like Reina Camacho, whose daughter Mayumi, 9-years old recently joined the beginner cohort after Camacho saw an advertisement for the class.

​"It's been a joy hearing the ukulele at our home," Camacho said, noting that her daughter—who already had a love for singing and dancing—was "overly excited" to learn an instrument.

​For Camacho, the classes are about more than just music; they are a vital link to island identity.

​"Having a ukulele is also culturally tied. For those of us who are here in the Marianas, it is important to us culturally and historically," Camacho shared. "My goal and my wish for her is that when we have family events, she can also perform for the family in the future."

​Registration for the Voices of the Marianas youth ukulele program is completely free. While current slots are limited, organizers say another cohort will be opening up in the next couple of months. The nonprofit also offers adult ukulele classes at a Crowne Plaza Resort. Anyone interested in enrolling or learning more is encouraged to reach out directly to Voices of the Marianas