Cinda Tilgner, a 34-year resident of Welches, has so many titles in her current and earlier life, it would be difficult to list them all. It is enough to say she is a children’s entertainer, a clown (professional for 30 years), ukulele and guitar teacher, singer, songwriter, family entertainer (she entertains and teaches seniors), gardener and photographer.

She doesn’t have a college degree in music, but she can play a number of instruments and can teach people how to play them.

She loves bringing people together with common interests, and has taught workshops on several subjects.

In a word, Tilgner is a community builder, and her tool is the simple ukulele.

“I try to create oneness (community),” she said, “through the simplicity of the ukulele by fostering music literacy in community settings.”

Her current focus is to form a community ukulele orchestra. She has received a grant of 34 ukuleles from the company that hand-builds Mya-Moe ukuleles.

Her agreement with the company is simply to spread the joy of music and the ukulele.

She’ll be attending a class in Canada for up to three years (one level each year) to learn a specific method of teaching the ukulele for orchestral performances.

The Mount Hood Ukulele Orchestra, which she calls M’HUA (Mount Hood Ukulele Association), is forming and will have classes beginning Sept. 15 and 16. Tilgner is now reserving spaces for ages 10 through adult, with hour-long classes set in Sandy on Thursday evenings and Welches on Wednesday evenings.

“(Students) don’t have to know anything about the ukulele, and they don’t have to have any musical background.” Tilgner said. “I will take them through the steps to learn the ukulele (and a lot about music). We’ll build an orchestra together.”

In the classes, students will explore elements of music, including melody, harmony, rhythm, form, tempo, dynamics and tone.

They’ll also work on skill development in singing, picking, strumming, ear training, sight-reading, improvising, music theory, harmonizing and arranging.

“This is perfect for people who have always wanted to play an instrument but never felt they could,” Tilgner said.

Tilgner also teaches the ukulele or guitar in private sessions.

But she is seen most often at area libraries, singing and engaging kids in the joy of music with simple instruments.

Even though she “retired the grease paint” after 30 years as a professional clown, Tilgner still uses some of those clowning techniques when she connects with kids with her ukulele.

The ukulele was chosen as the connecting tool because it can be inexpensive and fun to play, she said. It is portable and has a mellow sound, whether used as a solo or ensemble instrument. The ukulele, she said, also is a great tool for ear training, and for teaching harmony and music theory. People can play and sing at the same time, she said, and it’s great for any style of music.

For more information and to sign up for a class in Sandy or Welches, send e-mail to ctilgner
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