We be strummin’

How one man’s new passion for ukulele has transformed dozens of Lodians into dedicated strummers

Posted: Friday, October 12, 2012 8:00 am | Updated: 12:50 pm, Sat Oct 13, 2012.

Dennis Yamamoto’s shoulders bob up and down with each strum of his ukulele. There is a big grin on his face as he sings the words to “Tiny Bubbles.” His motions are paced and smooth, and now, playing those chords is an effortless, relaxing practice.

Yamamoto is the ukulele lover who started Lodi and Stockton’s Ukulele Strummers groups and teaches ongoing ukulele classes at Hutchins Street Square. The retired building engineer started with a few people who were interested, but now has at least 80 strummers who meet twice a month to practice and play together.

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