Meet The Director
Sheila Klotz
Director of Percussion Education
Drumming with local bands since high school, Sheila started her formal drum education at 10-years old with Rudimental Sage John Bosworth. Originally self-taught on drum set, her formal kit education began in college and later with Air Force Veteran Ronnie Shaw. Shaw's creative teaching techniques focuses on intellectual use and concept applications in polyrhythms, rudimental dispersement, groupings and musical application of these elements in all genre's. After nearly 10-years with Ronnie, she began a 3-year study with Cabo Frio's skinsman Curtis Kendrick, who drew on her rudimental skills for application in Funk. R&B, Pop/Rock, Jazz and Blues. From 2005 - 2015, she honed her Gospel drumming moxie as the drummer for the Lighthouse Baptist Church Women's Gospel Group, Waldorf MD, an all female group that toured the tri-state area by invitation.
Sheila is a graduate of West Virginia University, then joining The United States Air Force Band Washington DC at the beginning of her military career. After serving 14-years with The USAF Band, she transitioned into the 257th Army Band, Washington DC and assumed the role of Commander & Conductor. The military afforded her countless performances, Clinics, Master-Classes and Wind Ensemble Conducting opportunities across the US and abroad. Notable settings include the White House, Pentagon, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Capitol Steps and on stages for hundreds of thousands of audiences members across the US and abroad.
Sheila currently maintains a private Percussion studio and her students earn robust college scholarships from universities and conservatories such as Duke, WVU, Catholic University of America, Peabody Conservatory, Maryland University and St. Mary's College of Maryland - to name a few.
In 2020 she entered and won the International Drum Set Competition "Hit Like A Girl" and enjoys her new role as a judge for the Contest. While maintaining her percussion studio she 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