Taimane is known for her virtuosic technique in playing the ʻukulele, blending musical styles and expressive stage presence.

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Taimane Gardner received her first ʻukulele from her father at the age of 5. She was discovered while busking on the streets of Waikīkī and was given her first professional job when she was 13, playing with legendary entertainer Don Ho. Since then, Taimane forged her own path.

“When I first started playing ʻukulele, I got a lot of my music playing covers and I learned a lot about how song structures work,” says Taimane. “But I was kind of getting a little burnt out by the age of 15. I was playing “Wipeout” over and over and over and by that time, I learned a lot but I was wanting to blossom.”

Taimane began experimenting with original music, finding inspiration in the universe. She says, “I started with creating music about the planets and then it naturally just felt normal to go into the elements. Because if you think about the planets, they also connect with the elements in a certain way too. You know, Mars, fire. And so then naturally I’m starting to think about my next album could be the zodiac, the astrological signs, Aries, fire, Mars. They’re all connected in that way.”

The multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner continues to elevate the ʻukulele, challenging the stereotype of it being a simple or limited instrument. “The things that I still want to accomplish with my music is to continue down the path that I’m already doing, which is touring, meeting new people through my music but on a bigger scale. And I’m very appreciative of PBS Hawaiʻi sharing my music through this way. And I just want to keep doing that. I want to keep showing people that the ʻukulele is more than just a toy, and you can play really weird things on it. You can express yourself through this instrument.”