FACULTY

Marye Lobb

Marye Lobb is a Rochester-born, bilingual singer-songwriter and Berklee College of Music graduate whose soulful voice and multilingual storytelling have carried her from New York City clubs to tours across the U.S., South America, and Europe, as well as the vineyards and festivals of her native Finger Lakes. She has released three albums (Finding Home, Not At War, Top of the Trees) and the self-produced single Iceberg (2023), with her highly anticipated fourth record arriving October 24, 2025.

Her performances span venues such as CBGBs, The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room, and the Stonewall Inn (NYC); Room 5 Lounge (Los Angeles); The Birchmere (D.C.); and Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Regionally, she has held a long-running residency at Rochester’s Little Theatre Café and played Finger Lakes favorites like Once Finger Lakes, Two Goats Brewing, and Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. Onstage, Lobb blends intimacy, warmth, and joy — helping listeners feel at home wherever her music travels. maryelobb.com

Ken Luk

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ken Luk is a classically trained performer and teacher based in Rochester, New York. Through his love of the Brazilian choro and the cavaquinho, Ken slowly uncovers the connection between the vast families of small plucked string instruments. Apart from the guitar and mandolin, Ken enjoys playing his own arrangements and compositions on the ukulele. Ken teaches at the Eastman Community Music School, SUNY Geneseo, and Alfred University and can be contacted for private lessons at kenlukmusic@gmail.com

David Teegarden

Dave has been playing the ukulele since childhood. About 10 years ago he joined a ukulele ensemble, playing a combination of chords and melodic lines in tablature (TAB). He has taught introductory uke classes at a number of ukulele festivals and music camps.

Mona Seghatoleslami

Mona is the Music Director, host and producer on WXXI Classical 91.5 FM weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. She also hosts the lunchtime concert series Live From Hochstein Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m., interviews musicians, produces special programs, and works on any project she can find that helps connect people and music in our community through WXXI. When she’s not on the radio you can find Mona attending concerts and movies, playing viola in community orchestras, occasionally strumming the ukulele, riding her bike everywhere, and reading as much as she can. She also books the bands for one of the coolest live music venues in Rochester, The Little Theater.

Janice Hanson

Janice Hanson was inspired to pick up the ukulele after seeing Jake Shimabukuro at the Rochester International Jazz Festival in 2009. She uses the ukulele and also the mountain dulcimer to accompany her singing. She is an active member of the Golden Link Folk Singing Society – a volunteer-operated non-profit organization dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving folk music in the Rochester, NY area since 1971 – and coordinates Golden Link’s monthly concert series. She also directs a handbell choir. She has more than 25 years of experience in arts marketing and owns her own freelance proofreading and editing business, JK Hanson Wordcraft.

Randy Pollok

Randy Pollok is a multifaceted musician and teacher who teaches ukulele, guitar, clarinet, mandolin, bass, and piano to students of all ages. 

He has been teaching music in Rochester since 2011, including private lessons through Pollok Studios and group classes and jams at The Hochstein School and Bernunzio Uptown Music. He has taught workshops at the Rochester Public Libraries and the Flower City Ukulele Festivals and leads the Rochester Ukulele Support Group. 

As a member of the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra, Randy performs at libraries, farmers' markets, senior centers, and more. He plays piano and organ at First Presbyterian Church and St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Brockport. 

Randy is a graduate of the Illinois State University School of Music, completed graduate coursework at Butler University, and has continued his studies through the Eastman Community School of Music with Andy Brown, Bob Sneider, and Howard Spindler. 

Contact Randy for lessons or to join one of his classes, by calling: 585-500-5975 and through his website pollokstudios.net. 

Jam Leaders

Jill Krieger - ukes-ROC (Irondequoit)

Terry Corea - Penfield Recreation Ukulele Play Group

Leilani McGrath - Gates Ukulele Group

Leilani McGrath

Learning ukulele naturally at home from her Hawaiian mother, she believes the best music comes straight from the heart. As the leader of Gates Ukuleles, she creates welcoming spaces for players to gather, learn, and strum along to uplifting favorites. She thrives on building community through song and inviting everyone—no matter their skill level—to join the circle.

To request financial assistance contact us at flowercityukefest@gmail.com