Ukelele lady has students playing super fast Avon Hansen-Beadle A new qualification from “the god of ukulele” has given teacher Avon Hansen-Beadle new enthusiasm for teaching locals how to play this popular little instrument. Recently Avon became the first woman in NZ to complete a Level 3 Certificate of Achievement from the James Hill Initiative’s teacher certification programme. The three-year course was interrupted by Avon’s family commitments, and then Covid-19 – she began studying towards it in 2015. The course is based in Canada, but Avon says James is a regular visitor to NZ. Avon has been playing and teaching ukulele since 2011, but says the qualification was still demanding.