Sheila Klotz

An acclaimed percussionist, educator, and retired military band commander, Sheila Klotz is the visionary founder of SoMar Drummers, Inc. With a career spanning decades of elite performance and leadership, she has dedicated herself to revolutionizing the percussive arts and cultivating the next wave of musical talent.
 
Sheila’s journey began as a rudimental prodigy, securing numerous Maryland State and National Snare Drum Solo titles during her youth. By 15, she was already gracing the stage at Carnegie Hall as a member of America's Youth in Concert, followed by an extensive European tour.
 
After graduating from West Virginia University, Sheila earned a prestigious position with The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. There, she performed at the White House and the Kennedy Center for high-profile state functions and international events. She later transitioned to the 257th Army Band, serving as Commander and Music Director. In this vital role, she managed diverse ensembles and utilized music as a catalyst for diplomacy, community outreach, and military excellence.
 
For 30 years, Sheila has parallelly excelled in academia, serving as Professor of Percussion at both St. Mary's College of Maryland and The College of Southern Maryland. Her mentorship has paved the way for students to secure professional placements and scholarships at top-tier institutions like Peabody Conservatory, Duke University, and The United States Navy Band.
 
In 2021, she established SoMar Drummers, Inc., a nonprofit focused on holistic percussion training. From this initiative, she birthed the Mid-Atlantic Drum Camp (MADC). What began as a modest pandemic-era workshop for eight students has since flourished into a globally recognized intensive for drummers seeking technical mastery.
 
Serving as the Camp Director and lead educational architect, Sheila designs a rigorous curriculum that challenges musicians of all backgrounds. Partnering with world-renowned drummer Matt Garstka, she curates an elite faculty covering genres from jazz and Latin to Go-Go and hip-hop. Her unique methodology combines historical context with modern performance technology, leading participants through a transformative five-day session that concludes with a professional showcase.
 
Sheila’s brilliance was further recognized when she was crowned the 2020 Hit Like A Girl International Drum Set Champion. A TRX Cymbal Artist and WFLIII Drums Clinician, she remains a powerhouse in the industry today, continuing to record and teach while inspiring percussionists worldwide through her profound commitment to artistic excellence.