MUSICAL STYLE/GENRE: Hawaiian, Tin Pan Alley. Michelle performs a wide assortment of vintage island melodies including; modern, traditional, and Hapa Haolie (English/Hawaiian), in addition to jazz/blues, swing standards, and light rock. Her voice is her first instrument which is complimented by her beautiful ukulele strumming.

BACKGROUND: Based in Santa Cruz, California, ukulele player and vocalist Michelle Kiba, aka The Ukulele Lady, is a skilled solo performer, bandleader, hula dancer, graphic artist, photographer, educator, and music therapist.

MUSIC THERAPIST: Michelle performs up to 50 solo visits with the elderly each month at nursing homes, Alzheimer's units, convalescent hospitals, mental institutions, retirement homes and community centers. Michelle is a Certified Nursing Assistant and has worked as an activity director for a local nursing home.

MUSIC EDUCATOR: Michelle is a Ukulele Teacher on staff with the Community Music School of Santa Cruz. She directs the "Pa Mele O'Hokulea Ukulele Academy" (Song of the Morning Star) with group classes meeting weekly in San Jose and Santa Cruz. At the 2002 Ukulele Festival in Hayward, California, she showcased 36 of her students to rave reviews. (ok--so it was the students families that raved). Her combined students groups also played at the 2003 Ukulele Festival, performing a medley of Hawaiian "Paniolo" Cowboy songs. Their enthusiastic singing and ukulele playing encouraged the entire audience to yodel along with them.

SOLO PERFORMER: Michelle also performs solo at local elementary schools, local libraries and special childrens events, but her primary music is geared toward grown ups. Michelle's concert performances often include guest appearances by Na Hoku Award winners and Dancing Cat recording artists Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr. and Keoki Kahumoku. In Hawaii she has performed with Slack Key guitarists, and John Keawe. Locally she has also appeared with her personal ukulele heroes, Ukulele Dick, Oliver Brown, Jumpin' Jim Beloff, Janet Klein and Peggy Reza (aka Auntie Uke).

BAND LEADER: Bass and acoustic guitar and steel guitar compliment Michelle's ukulele and vocals for a fuller, more festive sound. Michelle Kiba and her Tiki Tones perform at luaus, festivals, weddings and concerts, and are available for bookings throughout Central California.

HULA DANCER: Michelle studied hula with Kumu Hula Sandy "Kanela" Schiffbauer at "Hula Halau O'Kanela No`eau" hula school. While Michelle's focus is now on making music, she has been known to be coaxed into dancing the hula now and again, when the balmy breezes blow.

Contact information: Michelle Kiba, (831) 476-4819   Ukalady@cruzio.com

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