Happy Holidays! As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to the new year, we wanted to reach out with an invitation: if you’ve been thinking about learning to play an instrument or exploring your voice, this might be the perfect time to take that leap.
Harvest Music School is offering three beginner music classes starting the first week of January—Beginning Ukulele, Beginning Guitar, and Voice & Singing—and there are still a few spots available. No prior experience is necessary, and you’ll be amazed at what you can learn in just four weeks.
Why Start Now?
There’s something special about starting the year learning something creative—it sets such a positive tone for the months ahead. These classes are designed for absolute beginners, with small group sizes (maximum 12 students) so everyone gets personalized attention and feedback.
Plus, you’ll meet Oste, our instructor Jonathan’s life-size skeleton teaching assistant, who helps demonstrate how to play and sing with minimal effort and maximum efficiency!
Classes Offered
Beginning Ukulele
Four Tuesdays, January 6-27 | 6:30-7:30 PM
Start playing on the very first day as you learn the basics of this popular instrument known as “the jumping flea.” Over four weeks, you’ll master essential chords and strumming patterns that will unlock hundreds of popular songs, including the Beatles, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, golden era classics, and much more.
No prior musical experience is needed—this class welcomes absolute beginners and those with a little experience alike. You’ll receive personalized feedback and practice tips, along with a booklet for home practice plus individual feedback and homework tailored to your level.
What to bring: A working ukulele (soprano, concert, or tenor size), notebook, and optional recording device/smartphone. If you need a ukulele or aren’t sure if yours is playable, contact us ahead of time or visit Central Coast Music in Morro Bay.
Beginning Guitar
Four Wednesdays, January 7-28 | 6:30-7:30 PM
For the total beginner! Learn guitar basics with a focus on singer-songwriters from the 70s. You’ll learn at least four essential chords and a handful of strumming patterns needed to play hundreds of your favorite songs.
Total beginners and those with a little experience are welcome. You’ll receive a booklet for home practice and Jonathan will teach and demonstrate core concepts in the weekly class meetings, plus you’ll get individual feedback and homework appropriate to your level.
What to bring: A six-string guitar (acoustic or electric, nylon or steel string), notebook, and optional recording device/smartphone.
Voice & Singing
Four Thursdays, January 8-29 | 6:30-7:30 PM
For all levels! Learn to access your most authentic voice through Linklater- and Alexander Technique-based voice work. Discover how to sing with minimal effort and maximum efficiency by connecting breath with voice for clearer resonance, increased capacity, and better pitch accuracy.
Each week we’ll sing short, easy songs together—including rounds and songs in different languages. Oste will demonstrate how singing is a whole-body activity rooted in our bones.
Class Details
Location: Fitness for Life, 4210 Bridge Street Suite 4, Cambria
Cost: $150 per class (non-refundable, includes booklet and practice materials)
Maximum Enrollment: 12 students per class
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 5, 2026
All classes include PDF booklets for home practice and access to videos and lyric/chord sheets.
About Your Instructor
Jonathan Shue believes everyone can sing and play an instrument, and that it’s never too late to learn! It’s all about breaking things down into small, manageable steps, defining specific goals, and developing a pathway toward achieving them. A teaching artist for more than twenty years, Jonathan has taught music and drama in schools throughout California and at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is the former Education Director of Dusty Strings Music School in Seattle, where he has taught guitar, songwriting, and voice since 2015.
Ready to Get Started?
By the end of any of these four-week courses, you’ll have built a strong foundation for good practice habits and the skills necessary to continue learning and playing along with others.
Make 2026 the year you finally pick up that instrument or discover your voice. Limited spots available—we’d love to see you there!
Questions? Feel free to reach out at info@harvestmusicschool.com.
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