Robbert van Renesse

Robbert Van Renesse is a thoughtful, methodical musician whose deep understanding of harmony led him to write Understanding Ukulele Chords for Mel Bay Publishing. Drawing on his years of jazz guitar experience, he developed a clear, systematic way to decode chord shapes and unlock their harmonic possibilities. His book helps players move beyond memorizing shapes and toward truly understanding how chords work across the fingerboard. Robert’s approach empowers ukulele learners to build confidence, explore variations, and elevate their playing with intention. His passion for making music theory accessible shines through every page.

Robbert will be assisted in his workshop by Vikki Armstrong, Vikki is a dance caller, a mandolinist and a ukulele player. She is part of Ithaca Ukes, a tight knit group that plays together every Friday and performs concerts a number of times a year. She is looking forward to helping you get the most out of the workshop, whether with chord charts or chord shapes, tuning your instrument or getting your questions answered.