Sheila Klotz

The award-winning percussionist, educator, retired military band commander, and founder of SoMar Drummers, Inc. With decades of performance, leadership, and teaching experience, she dedicated her career to advancing the percussive arts and mentoring the next generation of musicians.

A rudimental percussion prodigy, Sheila earned multiple Maryland State and National Snare Drum Solo championships as a teenager. Before the age of 16, she performed at Carnegie Hall as part of America's Youth in Concert in  a month-long European concert tour.

The West Virginia University graduate earned a highly competitive appointment with The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., performing at the White House, Kennedy Center, official state events, and international engagements. Following her years with the Air Force Band, she continued military service  serving as Commander, Conductor, and Music Director of the 257th Army Band, where she led large-scale musical productions, managed diverse ensembles, and used music as a powerful tool for communication, outreach, and military engagement.

Sheila simultaneously spent 30 years teaching percussion across all disciplines, earning appointments as Professor of Percussion at both St. Mary's College of Maryland and The College of Southern Maryland. Her students earn scholarships and professional opportunities with institutions and organizations including Peabody Conservatory, Duke University,  University of Maryland, Catholic University of America, West Virginia University, and The United States Navy Band.

In 2021, Sheila founded SoMar Drummers, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to comprehensive percussion education and community outreach. Building upon that mission, she launched the Mid-Atlantic Drum Camp (MADC) during the COVID-19 pandemic as a small, five-day program for eight students. Under her leadership, the camp quickly evolved into an internationally recognized percussion intensive.

As Camp Director and educational architect, Sheila develops and oversees guest artists  curriculum to accommodate students varying skill levels. challenging participants to reach new levels of technical and musical achievement. Co-led with internationally acclaimed drummer Matt Garstka, the camp features an evolving, elite roster of guest artists covering styles ranging from jazz, Latin, fusion, Caribbean, hip-hop, and Go-Go in addition to contemporary audio, technical and performance techniques. Through a unique blend of history, stylistic authenticity, collaboration, and performance preparation, Sheila guides the students toward a culminating showcase performance at the end of the five day intensive.

Among her many accomplishments, Sheila was named the 2020 Hit Like A Girl International Drum Set Champion, solidifying her reputation as a world-class musician. Today, she remains an active clinician, recording artist, and educator, serving as a TRX Cymbal Artist and an Educator / Clinician with WFLIII Drums. She continues to influence and inspire drummers around the world through her artistry, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.