With a distinguished 30-year career in military music, Sheila is an award-winning percussionist who performed extensively across the U.S. and abroad. A sought-after collaborator and educator, she is dedicated to advancing the art of percussion through technical excellence for the next generation of artists.

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      A percussion prodigy, she earned state and national solo rudimental snare titles and debuted at Carnegie Hall all before the age of 15. The teenager spent a month-long European concert tour, followed by collegiate study after which she reached a career milestone with a coveted appointment as a percussionist in The United States Air Force Band, Washington DC.

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        She develops top-tier talent and her students secure robust scholarships to elite programs like Peabody Conservatory, Duke, Catholic University of America and West Virginia University, to name a few.  Her mentorship style serves as a bridge to the nation’s most competitive music conservatories and universities

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      Midway through her career, Sheila transitioned to the podium as Commander, Conductor and Music Director for the 257th Army Band. Beyond her work as a published arranger, she spearheaded the revitalization of the "Military Band Concert in the Park" establishing a performance model that remains a staple of U.S. military music today.

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      Performance credits include live and studio work across genres ranging from jazz, funk, soul, country and pop to Classical and Latin. This rhythmic breadth is anchored by a 14-year residency with Lighthouse Baptist Church Women's Gospel Choir, where she honed her gospel drumming chops.

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     In 2020 she achieved global acclaim winning the 'Hit Like A Girl' International Drum Set Competition, surpassing top talent from Asia, Europe, and beyond.

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     Considered a pillar in the percussion education community with previous faculty positions at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the College of Southern Maryland. From directing award-winning drumlines to founding a touring pop/jazz-fusion percussion ensemble, her work continues to shape the next generation of music creators.

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    Alongside her current duties as Percussion / Drumline Instructor at King's Christian Academy she maintains a vibrant music studio and takes on throne duties by invitation.

 

     Sheila is a freelance clinician, recording artist and percussionist in the Mid-Atlantic region and serves as Educator Clinician with  WFLIII Drums  and credits  TRX Cymbals.  for her custom cymbal sound.

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       Her basis for mastery and education  is credited to John Bosworth, Ronnie Shaw, Amy LaCivita,  Dave Satterfield and many others.

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