en:bio:michael_b_lynch

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Name Michael B. Lynch
Alias Ukulele Mike
Nationality
Born 1945-03-21
Birth place Seattle, WA
Died 2018-01-02
Death place Leavenworth, WA
Website http://www.ukulelemikelynch.com

Michael B. Lynch, also known as Ukulele Mike, was a musician, composer and music educator mainly working in the field of liturgical music and ukulele instruction.

Education

Michael B. Lynch graduated from Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle, WA, and studied at St. Martin's University in Lacey, WA, class of 1967, where he gained a B.A. in music education, and the Cornish College_of the Arts in Seattle, WA, where he gained a second B.A. in composition.1)

Professional life

In his youth, he was part of the Halifax Adult Ukulele Ensemble that was directed by Doane, John Chalmers. Lynch adhered to the roman-catholic church and served as a long-time pastoral music minister and choir director at Christ the King Parish in Seattle,2) composed numerous pieces of music for worship, including masses,3) that were included in hymnals of various congregations.4) He was a multi-instrumentalist and played ukulele, guitar, and keyboard. For more than four decades, he taught classroom music from Pre school through College.5) Through instructional videos published on Youtube, he gained international renown as a „cheerful teacher“6) of popular ukulele music. His famous ending phrase was „Happy strumming!“. He also frequently participated in ukulele workshops. In 2008, Ukulele Mike published his first solo CD. He won acclaim as

an incredibly accomplished ukulelist. He produces a crystal clear sound and manages to keep his playing articulately even at great speed.7)

Family

In 1969, Lynch married Collene Sinclair. They had two daughters and lived in Edmonds, WA.8)

Amazing Grace (2010)
One of Ukulele Mike's masterful instructional videos for ukulele beginners, explaining every step for exercising and playing Amazing Grace.

1)
Ukulele Mike Website, access date: 2017-01-07, Ukulele Mike Facebook, access date: 2018-01-07.
3)
https://liturgyresource.org, Access date: 2018-07-01
5)
Ukulele Mike Facebook, Access date: 2018-07-01.
7)
Review: Michael Conway -- Ukulele Mike, access date: 2018-01-23.
8)
Online Obituary, Access date: 2018-01-07.