The ukulele is a beloved instrument across genres and musical traditions, and it's easy to see why. It's versatile, sounds great whether you're playing by yourself or in a group, and it's very beginner-friendly. In fact, `ukulele is the instrument of choice for many classroom music teachers because of how fun and accessible it is for students of any ability level. Classes at the Old Town School teach the fundamentals through songs ranging from traditional Hawaiian songs to Tin Pan Alley to the contemporary uke styles found in folk, rock, and pop music.
Tuesday or Sunday with Michael Hammerman or Vanda Kay
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $264 ($244 members)
Get started with the ukulele by learning basic chords and strums at a pace designed for first-time players.
Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus
Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday with Michael Hammerman, Paula McKernan, Vanda Kay or Abigail Lyons
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $264 ($244 members)
Learn simple chords and play a song on the first night.
Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus
Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with Michael Hammerman, Paula McKernan, Vanda Kay or Abigail Lyons
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $264 ($244 members)
Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus, Online or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave
Saturday with Staff
90 minutes · Once a week for 1 week · $36 ($31 members)
Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus
Saturday with Staff
14 minutes · Once a week for 1 week · $36 ($31 members)
Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus
Tuesday with Michael Hammerman
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $264 ($244 members)
Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus
Thursday with Vanda Kay
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $264 ($244 members)
Location: Online
Our private lessons like our group classes run in 8-week sessions, however, you can begin private lessons during any week in the session. Please call our customer service folks at 773.728.6000 to register as private lesson availability is based upon individual teacher schedules.
Lessons are scheduled weekly, for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and are available every day of the week at our Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park locations. Our experienced and professional faculty will work with you to develop an individualized program that helps you achieve your musical goals.
Stop in at either location or call the front desk at 773.728.6000 to register.
$346 for 30 minutes ($336 for members)
$495 for 45 minutes ($480 for members)
$635 for 60 minutes ($615 for members)
8-week lessons: 01/05/2026 – 03/01/2026
Monday 11/17/25: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 12/01/25: Transfer registration
Wednesday 12/03/25: Open registration
8-week lessons: 03/02/2026 – 04/26/2026
Monday 01/26/26: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 02/09/26: Transfer registration
Wednesday 02/11/26: Open registration
8-week lessons: 04/27/2026 – 06/21/2026
Monday 03/23/26: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 04/06/26: Transfer registration
Wednesday 04/08/26: Open registration
Click for teacher profiles and schedules
Henry Altenberg »
Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Electric Bass
Vanda Kay »
Ukulele, Piano, Electric Bass, Music Theory
Charles Kim »
Bass, Composition, Guitar, Songwriting, Ukulele (including Baritone), Mandolin
Shelley Miller »
Guitar, Songwriting, Ukulele, Ensembles
Shoji Naito »
Guitar, Harmonica (Blues & Jazz), Ukulele, Bass
Jacob Sweet »
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Songwriting, Ukulele
Chris Winters »
Guitar, Ukulele
Anonymous
James G. Hart Foundation
Geraldine Keefe
Negaunee Foundation
Rob and Karen Ospalik
Tomford and Grossman Family
