ArtPlay: Ukulele for Artists with Autism

Have fun while learning to play the ukulele! Students will discover how to maintain, tune and play songs on the ukulele. By the end of the course you will not only have learned to play but how to continue finding resources to keep improving and enjoying this wonderful instrument for years to come!

Our ArtPlay classes are designed to engage children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the arts while focusing on identity development, self-awareness, self-esteem, social communication, and building positive coping skills. Classes are open to ages 8 – 17 and are hosted in partnership with Family Initiative.

ArtPlay: Ukulele is instructed by Bill Metts, a local Florida Singer/songwriter and instrumentalist who started playing the Guitar 50 years ago. Though the Guitar is still his primary instrument he has, over the years, learned to play several other stringed instruments, the ukulele being one of them. Upon moving to Florida in 2004 Bill became a teacher in the Lee County School System, working in Elementary and Middle School classrooms. For his last three years before retiring He taught students to play guitar, ukulele and mandolin as well as running an afterschool song writing club. He is still involved with the community by running Ukulele workshops with the support of the Americana Community Music Association.

Students must:

• Respond to verbal direction
• Independently toilet
• Not require 1 on 1 supervision

About Americana Community Music Association (ACMA): ACMA is committed to supporting original independent music and musicians with programs that expand community appreciation and education while fostering the creativity and diversity that influence Americana and Roots music. The hope is that by aiding in the growth of the Americana and Roots music in our area the community at large will benefit by gaining access to high quality and original acts for performances at charitable events as well as fundraising efforts to enhance the music community at large.

ArtPlay: Ukulele is supported in part by the City of Fort Myers.