At Berkeley Lab, science isn’t the only thing that brings people together. For more than a decade, the gentle strum of ukuleles has connected employees and retirees across divisions, job titles, and generations.

The Berkeley Lab Ukulele Club—known affectionately as the “Uke Club”—has become a pocket of joy and connection within the Lab community. “Music is the universal language,” said outgoing club president Maria Atkinson, who retired this month after 30 years at the Lab. “It provides a shared experience, no matter your background or skill level.”

She’ll be passing the leadership baton to Robert Riley of the Joint Genome Institute, who will serve as the club’s new president. Other officers supporting Riley include the Lab’s Arwa Ali (Vice President), Henry Alvarez (Creative Officer & Musical Development), Jeff Philliber (Librarian), and Keola Baclayon (Secretary).

Atkinson, who worked in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, joined the club about 10 years ago, back when there were separate groups at the Hill and at the Lab’s Emeryville site. Even after the pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings, a few dedicated players kept the music alive over Zoom.

Today, the club has around 40 members who meet monthly for jam sessions, performances, and the occasional lesson. Members include beginners who’ve never held an instrument and seasoned musicians who have played for decades, as shown in this recent video. The group’s repertoire ranges from old-time classics and Beatles favorites to pop tunes and the occasional Hawaiian number. “You can play any kind of music on the ukulele,” Atkinson said. “It’s a very friendly and easy instrument to learn and you can play a whole song with just one or two chords.”

The club’s gatherings are informal, welcoming, and above all, fun. Regular jam sessions are held over the lunch hour, giving participants a break from work and a chance to unwind. “I guarantee your worries will melt away,” Atkinson said. “I always feel good after playing.” Beginners are always welcome, and the club has ukuleles available for new players to borrow, along with music books and sheets of every genre.

Beyond its lunchtime jams, the club often performs at Lab events, from Administrative Professionals Day at the Guest House to holiday parties and retirements. Each performance is tailored to the occasion. “For retirements, we play songs like ‘Hit the Road

Jack,’” Atkinson said with a laugh. “We always try to match the theme.” So what is Berkeley Lab’s theme song? “‘Lean on Me’ by Bill Withers,” she answers without hesitation. “It captures the spirit of Team Science and how we support one another.” Recently the club performed at the Lab’s Runaround, inspiring participants and propelling them to the finish line in style.

For Atkinson, who also plays the flute, the Uke Club is part of a long tradition of music at Berkeley Lab. Over the years, she’s performed in the Lab’s jazz and classical ensembles, even at director’s holiday parties and weddings. “I’ve been playing music at the Lab my whole career,” she said. “It’s a great way to meet people.”

That spirit of connection may be the club’s greatest accomplishment. In the wake of the pandemic, when many employees felt isolated or disconnected, the ukulele became a bridge. “People are seeking community again,” Atkinson said. “Playing music together reminds us that we belong to something bigger.”

The instrument itself seems perfectly suited for that mission.

Light, portable, and approachable, the ukulele invites participation. “It’s small, easy to carry, and comes in many sizes, from soprano to bass,” Atkinson explained. “That means players can take on different parts of a song, just like a science team where everyone contributes something unique.” And, she noted, there’s a subtle harmony between the worlds of music and science. “Both are rooted in math and rhythm,” Atkinson said. “Einstein once said his discoveries were the result of musical perception. He even thought he’d be a musician if he wasn’t a scientist.”

As she reflects on her time at the Lab, Atkinson hopes her legacy is one of inclusiveness and joy. “I just want to be remembered as someone who enjoyed playing with others and helped make it fun,” she said. “Music connects us—and that’s what the Lab is all about.”

For anyone interested in joining, the club welcomes newcomers at all skill levels. Monthly jam sessions are open to all employees, and more information is available on the Ukulele Club’s website, including how to join. “You don’t have to sing, and you don’t have to be good,” Atkinson said. “You just have to want to play.” For any additional questions about the club, or to suggest an event at which you’d like to have the club play, email the group at ukeofficers@lbl.gov.

Now that you know more about the Lab’s Uke Club, one question remains: Do you uke?