Meet The Team

Director of Percussion & Drum Set Education

Veteran Army Band Commander Sheila M. Klotz, founder of SoMarDrummers, Inc. started her drum journey at 10-years old studying with rudimental great John Bosworth.

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She is a graduate of West Virginia University, joining The United States Air Force Band at the beginning of her military career. After a decade with The USAF Band, she transition to the 257th Army Band, Washington DC and assumed the role of commander of the unit. The military afforded her performance and conducting opportunities throughout the US and abroad including the White House, Pentagon, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Capitol Steps and concerts in Switzerland, Netherlands and the US Virgin Islands.

Drumming with local bands in high school, Sheila's formal drum set education started at 21-years old with Air Force Veteran Ronnie Shaw. Shaw's creative, Berklee style instruction focused on intellectual concepts in coordination, polyrhythms, rudimental dispersement and musicianship on the kit. She also studied with Cabo Frio's skinsman Curtis Kendrick, who increased her strength and approach to Funk R&B, Pop/Rock and Blues. For over 10-years, she honed her Gospel drumming skills as the drummer with the Lighthouse Baptist Church Women's Gospel Group, touring throughout the tri-state area by invitation.

Sheila currently teaches drumset, classical, Drumline and Latin percussion. Her students earn robust scholarships at universities and conservators such as Duke University, WVU, Catholic University of America, Peabody Conservatory, Maryland University and St. Mary's College of Maryland - just to name a few. 

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In 2020 she entered and won the International Drum Set Competition "Hit Like A Girl" and enjoys her current role as judge for the Contest. Klotz maintains a sizable private percussion studio and is an active freelance drummer, percussionist and recording artist in the mid-Atlantic region.

Sheila is an Educator Clinician with WFLIII Drums  and endorses  TRX Cymbals

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Drum Set Education

Born & raised in Washington DC, Alton started drumming as soon as he started walking. Currently touring the East Coast with Singer / Songwriter Leela James, he started his early drumming career in his dad's church.  His first professional experience was with the Eddie James Ministries World Tours in  2018-19. Alton's drumming duties with Eddie James put his creative talent on stages across the US as well as Egypt, Africa and Europe.  

Alton is the Music Director and Drummer for Growth Church and currently teaches drums in a local school where his students are thriving in all areas of music.  He is a versatile freelance drummer and actively participates in SoMar Drummers Clinics, Master Classes and Camps.  He can be found recording in the gospel, pop and R&B genres throughout the DMV.  He offers private lessons on his website and in the local area.