Meet Suz’Kulele

My story begins in Boulder, Colorado.

Music was always there.

 


That path led me to Colorado State University…where I studied tuba and graduated in 2005. After college, I spent six years teaching band and orchestra at three different schools—where I was known as Mrs. Horn.

And then, after some especially hard years and major life changes—

I stepped away from music completely.

 


Something shifted after my first trip to Hawai‘i.

When I returned home, I picked up an ‘ukulele—not as a grand plan, but as a way to stay connected to the feeling I had brought back with me.

 


At first, I played alone.

For nearly a year, the ‘ukulele was a private companion—something I learned through YouTube, practiced in small moments, often in the carpool line, and used to gently find my way back to music.

Slowly, things began to open again.

 


In July 2022, I attended my first ‘ukulele jam in Superior.

That’s when the sense of community I had been missing started to unfold.

Playing alongside others—and later being inspired by live music and shared spaces—reminded me why music had mattered so deeply in the first place.

 


Today, the ‘ukulele is my musical home.

I have fallen back in love with performing.

 


I co-host a twice-monthly open mic in Superior called The Living Room, where musicians and music lovers gather to share, support, and enjoy the thrill of performing together.

There’s also a Tuesday night college dive bar open mic where all I have to do is show up and play.

 


On midday Fridays (above 60 degrees), you can usually find me playing at a local Hawaiian restaurant in Boulder—bringing a little Aloha Friday to the lunch rush.

As a performer for hire, I play house parties, restaurants, art galleries, and corporate events.

 


In between performances, I am currently obsessed with learning new songs.

I share recordings from my 100 Days of ‘Ukulele project on YouTube, along with additional recordings on SoundCloud.

I also write about music, performance, and the moments that stay with me—you can find those stories on the blog and in Suz’News, my newsletter.

I’ve also begun a growing collection of personal essays.

 


Whether I’m performing, recording, practicing, or cheering someone on at open mic, music has become the place where I feel most connected—

to others, and to myself.


Thanks for being here and sharing a bit of the journey with me 🌺

One Comment

  • Jack Swain

    Susan,
    Hi. This is your cousin Jack from Kentucky. I just got finished talking to you Dad and he told me about this site. I called your Dad to ask him questions about the piano which I have recently taken up. Your Dad gives me advice from time to time. It looks like you are really into the ‘ukulele and I’m happy for you.
    Just wanted to drop you a note. I’ll be keeping up with your musical adventure and wish you the best of luck.

    Yours truly,
    Jack

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