Ukulele Lessons From Warren Buffett

With proceeds from a one-of-a-kind benefit concert in December, Warren Buffett purchased 17 ukuleles for the girls at Girls Inc. Omaha and taught them how to play on Tuesday, March 31 from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. at the North Omaha center located at 2811 North 45th Street. See the video...

On Sunday, December 7, 2008, Roger Greenawalt and David Barratt organized a 14-hour concert in Brooklyn, NY at which 67 singers, 37 musicians and a Yoko Ono impersonator performed 185 Beatles compositions with ukulele accompaniment. The event was called "For the Benefit of Mr. Buffett."

Although it is not often that a fundraiser is hosted to benefit one of the wealthiest men in the world, ukulele-loving Buffett was the ideal recipient of the proceeds. "We knew that if we kept the money for ourselves, we would have wasted it," said Barratt. "We had absolutely no idea [what he would do with the money], but would never second-guess anyone who makes more money in 25 seconds than we have in 25 years."

Inspired by his passion for the small guitar-like instrument, Warren Buffett took his daughter Susie Buffett and Girls Inc. Omaha Executive Director Roberta Wilhelm to purchase 17 red ukuleles for Girls Inc. on February 28. Dietze Music gave them a great deal to maximize the $350 donation.

Buffett offered "uke" lessons to 13 girls who showed interest on March 31. Barratt and Greenawalt came to Omaha to assist Buffett in tuning the instruments, helping the girls with finger positions on the ukulele frets, and videotaping the lesson for posterity.

"The girls were thrilled about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive the ukulele lesson," said Roberta Wilhelm, Executive Director of Girls Inc. Omaha, "and his enthusiasm for the experience was definitely contagious. The girls loved it and I have no doubt that many will continue to play. Who knows? Maybe one day they will be good enough to accompany Mr. Buffett."

Ukulele lessons are now one of the countless educational, cultural and recreational opportunities offered at Girls Incorporated of Omaha, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring girls and young women ages 5 to 18 to be "Strong, Smart and Bold." Girls Inc. of Omaha is a national affiliate of Girls Incorporated.