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Hello
Hello! I'm Boris Mogilevski, also known as Spicy Uke! I am a musician, composer, and Kala ukulele artist dedicated to teaching and spreading my love for music to my students. I'm sending you a big, warm welcome to my Spicy Uke community! I'd love for you to join my Patreon classes where I teach different styles and techniques to all levels of players. I also teach online workshops and enjoy meeting my students around the world at ukulele retreats, workshops, festivals, and concerts! Whether you are a beginner or more advanced player, I would love to share my knowledge and passion for music and this versatile instrument.
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Let me help you spice up your playing to the next level!
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My Ukulele Journey
I graduated Cum Laude in 2012 with a Master's degree in Music Education and Jazz Guitar from CODARTS Conservatory of Music in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
My journey with the ukulele began quite unexpectedly. While teaching guitar at TU Delft in the Netherlands, I picked up the ukulele as part of a group course I was teaching. The course gained immense popularity, sparking widespread interest in the ukulele among students. My extensive background in jazz guitar allowed me to quickly adapt to the instrument and share my knowledge with my students.
In 2019, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I released a few videos of myself playing the ukulele on my balcony. The positive response was overwhelming, and my community started growing rapidly on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, with many people eager to learn from me. This led me to start teaching on Patreon, where I continue to share my expertise with my Spicy Uke community. Today, I have over 150K followers on Instagram.
Very soon after gaining success on social media, I was contacted by Kala, one of the leading ukulele companies in the world, and I was signed on as an official Kala Artist. I regularly collaborate with Kala for high-quality performances and workshops.​
Why Spicy Uke?
The story behind the name "Spicy Uke" reflects my love for both food and music, which I believe go hand in hand. Before my first trip to Asia, I couldn't handle spicy food. However, in Thailand, I had no choice but to learn to appreciate it the hard way, as every meal was spicy. I got hooked and loved it! I first introduced the concept of peppers (spiciness) to my Patreon students to indicate the difficulty level of lessons and songs. This idea grew into a full concept and brand, leading me to call myself and my community Spicy Uke.
Performing and Workshops
As a performer, I've had the privilege of being invited to various ukulele festivals around the world, including the Los Angeles Ukulele Festival, Berlin Ukulele Festival, Huddersfield Uke Fest, Strum in the Desert, Dutch Uke Fest, and the NAMM Show in California. Additionally, I have performed at renowned festivals as a guitarist, composer, and bandleader, such as the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam and Casa Del Jazz in Rome. My performances have also taken me to private events worldwide, including China, New Zealand, Kenya, Israel, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the USA.
Often, I organize my own concerts, ukulele retreats, and workshops around the world. I've already had fantastic experiences in Camarillo, CA; Portland, OR; and Newport Beach, CA (USA). One of my proudest achievements is co-founding the first Ukulele Safari in Kenya with Michela Consiglio, where we donated over 100 ukuleles to children across the country.
Styles and Techniques
I teach a variety of styles and techniques to all levels of ukulele players, and like to spice up strumming styles, chord progressions, and fingerstyle playing. I am one of the founders of percussive ukulele, and love to incorporate percussive playing techniques into my ukulele music. My "Spice It Up" tutorials on social media have gained immense popularity, going viral and showcasing unique ways to enhance your ukulele playing.
Composition and improvisation are my greatest passions. Through years of research, I've been teaching the path to musical freedom, helping others become free to express themselves through music. I'm looking forward to helping you do the same!
Thank you for joining me on this musical journey!
Partners
I have had the privelage to partner and work with these amazing brands.
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