In the face of the pandemic, Melanie Lawson Kareem adapted her teaching methods to keep her ukulele classes alive. With the closure of the Topanga Canyon Library during the early days of COVID-19, she quickly transitioned to online lessons, reaching students far beyond her local community. What started as a necessity has evolved into a vibrant global online ukulele school.
When the library shut its doors, Kareem informed her scheduled students about the change. “Don’t come to the library. Try to figure out how to join a Zoom session on your computers,” she advised. Approximately 30 students successfully joined the first online class. At the end of that session, they collectively decided to meet again the following day, marking the beginning of a continuous online learning experience.
As the weeks turned into months, Kareem and her students celebrated significant milestones. “When we got to Day 100, we thought it was a huge accomplishment that we had joined each other on Zoom continuously,” Kareem recalled. For that special session, the group selected songs featuring the number 100 in their lyrics. Now, nearly six years later, the community has reached its 1,917th session of “Get Started Playing Ukulele.”
Kareem’s teaching philosophy, known as the “Melanie Method,” focuses on enabling adult learners to quickly grasp and play their favorite songs. “There are lots of us mature adults who’ve dreamed our whole life of being able to play an instrument,” she explained. Many of her students had long held aspirations of making music but had never found the opportunity.
Kareem’s dedication to creating an engaging and effective learning system is evident in her approach. She emphasizes joy in music-making, aiming to foster a sense of community among her students. “My dream is to spread as much ukulele joy as possible through teaching and creating community through music,” she stated.
The weekly classes, often held at the Topanga Farmers’ Market, have become a source of connection for participants. Students like Hayden Jiang from Northridge are among those who benefit from Kareem’s unique teaching style. The atmosphere during these sessions is lively, with students playing together and sharing their progress.
On January 23, 2026, as Kareem arrived at the Farmers’ Market equipped with her wagon of ukuleles, she brought along the music for “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie. Her passion for teaching and her ability to adapt during challenging times have turned what could have been a setback into a thriving online community that continues to inspire musicians of all ages.
Kareem’s journey highlights the resilience of educators in the face of adversity and the transformative power of music. Her efforts not only keep the spirit of learning alive but also help fulfill the long-held dreams of many aspiring musicians.
