Meet The Teachers

Sheila Nevius (Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Summer Courses)

Sheila Nevius is an Army veteran of 21 years. She served 13 years with The United States Army Field Band from Washington, D.C., and 8 years with the 257th Army Band from Washington, D.C. In each band Sheila was a featured soloist, saxophone section leader, clinician, and recitalist. Prior to the military, she earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Music in saxophone performance from the University of Illinois.

Sheila taught instrumental music at Liberty Christian School, in Owings Mills, MD from 2008 to 2017. She left that position to focus on teaching saxophone, clarinet, and flute, in a private setting and to perform tenor saxophone with the Cornerstone Saxophone Quartet. The Quartet performs extensively throughout the greater Baltimore, D.C., and Virginia area. In addition, Sheila has been a saxophone instructor at Goucher College and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Sheila brings a unique perspective to her teaching methods from her experience performing professionally for the American public in all fifty states for over 20 years. In addition, her experience teaching instrumental music in a school setting, and teaching woodwinds privately for over 30 years, allows her to get the student to achieve a prominent level of success. Many of her students have won auditions into the all-county bands in both Howard and Carroll County. Several of her students have also been accepted into major music schools in the country.

Sheila is passionate about teaching and excited to share her love of music at The Band Shoppe in Sykesville. She enjoys all styles of music and is comfortable teaching any type of music from classical to jazz to students all ages.

Brian Baernstein (Guitar & Bass)

Brian Baernstein Born in, and raised around Baltimore, I’ve been a working musician for over thirty years. I attended Randallstown High and North Carolina State University. In my 20’s, I spent most of my time touring the eastern half of the country in various bands. And since have played in every imaginable configuration of stage, from Acoustic Duo to Big Band. I’ve played in tribute acts for Metallica, Journey and the Black Crowes. When I wasn’t on the road, I made my living as a private lesson teacher. I was also an owner and teacher at JAMS Music Store in Eldersburg in the not so distant past. Though I recently took a few years off from teaching to focus on my recording studio, I am so excited to be back at The Band Shoppe.  It feels like coming home. As always, I endeavor to teach students the music they want to learn, as well as showing them new music and musical ideas. I can currently be seen around the region with The New Monopoly, an amazing, top-shelf, 8-piece show band. 

Ben Nevius (Guitar, Ukuele)

Ben is a very talented guitarist with a great personality. He loves Jazz music along with a viarity of other generas and is very profficent in music theory. Stay tuned for the full bio!

Megan (Meg) Bradshaw (Violin, Viola & Chamber Group)

Megan (Meg) Bradshaw, a Baltimore based violinist and educator, began her violin studies at the age of 7 with Irina Briskin and later with late BSO violinist John Merrill.

While pursuing a BA at UMBC, Meg studied with Dr. Airi Yoshioka, performed in the UMBC symphony orchestra, various string ensembles, recitals, and masterclasses-most recently for Daniel Heifetz. In the summer of 2018, Meg participated in Festival Baltimore, where her quartet performed Tchaikovsky’s 2nd String Quartet.

Meg has been on the private string faculty at the Friends School of Baltimore since 2016. Many of Meg’s students have been accepted into the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, participate in concerto competitions, and regularly make 1st chair in their school orchestras.

Passionate about violin and music, Meg’s teaching philosophy centers around helping each student reach their fullest potential through hard work and finding inspiration in all areas of art.

Aside from teaching, Meg enjoys performing with her piano trio, freelancing in the Baltimore area, and spending time with her husband, cat, and two pet rats.

Michael Bradshaw (Cello, Violin, Viola, Piano & Chamber Group)

Michael Bradshaw, a Baltimore based cellist and educator, began his cello studies at the age of 6. Over the years his primary teachers have included Barbara Van Patten, Amy Frost-Baumgarten, and Gita Ladd. As a cello performance major at UMBC, Michael served as principal cellist of the UMBC symphony, and was a two time winner of the concerto competition performing the Schumann cello concerto and the final movement of Elgar cello concerto with the orchestra.

Michael has attended Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro North Carolina, Endless Mountain Music Festival in Mansfield Pennsylvania, Festival Baltimore, and Orfeo Music Festival in Vipitino/Sterzing Italy. While at these festivals and as a student, Michael had the opportunity to perform for preeminent musicians including Lynn Harrell, Midori, Asiya Korepanova, Gerard Schwarz, members of the Dover string quartet, American Brass Quintet, Canadian Brass, and Trio des Alpes.

For almost a decade, Michael has performed solo, chamber, and orchestral music across the country as well as in Europe. Locally, he has appeared with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and with local artists including members of the UMBC faculty, and members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. In addition to performing and freelancing, Michael is a dedicated educator teaching cello, as well as violin, viola, and piano, believing that a solid technical foundation and well rounded understanding and application of theory are paramount in musical and personal development.

Andrew Utz (Cello & Bass)

Andrew Utz has been involved with music since the age of five where he sang in children’s choirs. By age 10, he began his instrumental musical journey with the string bass. After graduating and receiving his B.S. in Music Education from Towson University, Andrew began teaching instrumental music in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys playing the cello for fun as well as continuing his study of the bass to perform with community orchestra’s in the Baltimore area. He looks forward to sharing a passion for bass and cello with students!

Justin Berdeguez (Guitar, Bass & Uke)

Justin Berdeguez has been teaching students of all ages and skill levels for the last 11 years in Maryland. Justin has taught at 3 different Music & Arts locations as well as a few other Guitar shops in the Anne Arundel County area. Having recently moved Taylorsville, Justin is looking to establish a healthy lesson following in Sykesville.

Justin studied guitar performance at UMBC and CCBC Essex and has toured Regionally and Nationally. In addition, Justin has played countless festivals and famous venues supporting acts including Ballyhoo, Iration, Tone Loc, and Jimmies Chicken Shack. Justin has also played political campaigns as well as events outside of Camden Yards and M&T Bank stadium! Justin is geared up and ready to share his experience in helping others learn!

Justin’s Philosophy: “Learn the songs you want.  Learn at your own speed. We can work on Rock, Blues, Pop, Country, Jazz, Metal, Classical. Learn Theory, Reading, Modes, Pentatonic Scales, Fingerpicking, Strumming, Major/Minor Open Chords, Rhythm, Dynamics, Major Minor Barre Chords, Soloing, Chord Melodies, Chord Inversions and much more”

Paul Onheiser (Piano, Blues [Cross Harp] Harmonica, Music Theory, Improvisation & Rock, Blues & Jazz Combo Courses)

“ii-V-I’s are everywhere” is what Paul would say! You may even be able to call it his philosophy of music. Paul is a lifelong pianist and took private lessons at the age of 6. In late middle school Paul developed a love for Blues which traveled with him through High School into Early College.

Paul attended both Carroll Community and McDaniel college, where he studied music theory, composition, and Jazz theory. During his time at McDaniel, Paul took private lessons from Eric Byrd, a prominent local Jazz musician. Paul now enjoys a lot of varieties of music, from Neo-Soul to EDM, Jazz, Fusion, Hard Rock, Anime Soundtracks, Blues & more. Paul is an active musician locally.

Paul loves to share his knowledge of music theory with those willing to learn. He has a great ear and is able to hear songs and analyze the chord progressions, which makes him a great candidate for students to share and learn music with. Paul also offers Jazz theory and improvisation training for piano and non-piano students. Paul is currently accepting late beginner/early intermediate students; feel free to reach out to us to talk about his availability!

Julian Schoming (Piano & Drums)

Julian Schoming is a multi-instrumental composer, songwriter, and producer from Manchester, MD. With a great passion for music and culture, he draws inspiration from the innumerable musical traditions of the world. Julian has had an adoration for music since he began playing piano at the age of 4. Over the years he gained experience performing with ensembles such as full orchestras, chamber groups, jazz bands, choirs, rock groups, pop groups, percussion ensembles, and many more.

In 2019 he graduated magna cum laude from The Berklee College of Music where he received a Bachelor’s of Music in Contemporary Writing and Production, and in 2020 he graduated with distinction from The University of Westminster in London where he received a Master’s of Arts in audio production.

Julian’s method to learning music is a holistic one, approaching concepts from many angles to better understand and integrate musical concepts into one’s daily life.

Chris Hettenbach (Brass)

Chris Hettenbach grew up in Carroll County, MD and has been a dedicated trombonist since the age of 9. Chris took his talents to Towson University where he studied conducting with Dr. Chris Cicconi and trombone from Dr. David Perkel and would eventually earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. At Towson, Chris performed solos with Towson University’s Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra. At Towson, Chris also performed in ensembles on his secondary instruments such as Tuba, Euphonium, Trumpet, and Horn. 

Shortly after his graduation from Towson University, Chris was accepted into Temple University’s graduate wind band conducting program, where he served as a Graduate Assistant with the University Bands. Chris studied conducting there with Dr. Patricia Cornett and Dr. Mathew Brunner and conducted their ensembles such as the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Collegiate Band, Basketball Band, and Marching Band. Chris also continued to perform music on his various secondary brass instruments within those ensembles. 

Since his graduation from Temple University, Chris has returned home to Carroll County to create and teach music for anyone in need. You can find Chris working with Liberty High School’s Marching Band throughout the fall and looks forward to the opportunity to share his passion for music!

John McCahey (Brass)

Starting from an early discovery of John Coltrane, John was hooked on music quick.

It was Coltrane and other jazz artists that helped John choose trombone as an instrument. John expanded his music participation to private lessons, school bands, marching bands, all county and state bands, summer camps and even local wind orchestras. While early studies and performances focused on classical music, including a year studying with Natalie Mannix at Towson University, John quickly transitioned as a sophomore to study of jazz with Jim McFalls and Dave Ballou at Towson. Towson’s unique curriculum expanded John’s view of music combined with his experience in bands like 9 Mile Roots, Screaming Art Large Ensemble and Joe Keyes and Late Bloomer Band as well as working briefly as a cruise ship musician.

John was then invited to join the first class of the graduate school of music at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. There John studied for two years with renowned jazz trombone artist Steve Davis and accomplished musician Javon Jackson. This narrowed his focus to learn the Jazz tradition, while he also taught himself how to compose, and play trumpet and piano.

Currently John continues his musical journey through being a trombone and trumpet teacher, composing, studying, and of course performing as much as possible.

Brandon Davie (Drums)

Brandon Davie is a freelance drummer and percussionist based in Maryland. Originally from the Pittsburgh area, he started taking drum lessons as a young child. He has toured with local bands along the east coast for the past several years.

Brandon is the former drumline instructor and technician for the Westminster High School Marching Band. He is studying General Music Education at Carroll Community College. His primary style of playing is rooted in jazz and funk, however, he is comfortable teaching all styles of music to percussionists at any skill level or age.

Ian Hoke (Piano)

Ian Hoke is a pianist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Westminster Maryland. Having studied classical piano since the age of six, as well as growing up in a very musically inclined household (his grandfather is a professional jazz pianist, his mother is trained in piano and is father trained in voice) music has always been a foundational element of his day to day life. 

Ian graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors from Carroll Community College with an associates degree in fine arts with a music focus in 2021 studying piano under Dr. David Kreider, and plans to complete his 4 year degree in the coming years. He is currently working as the director of music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, PA, and enjoys teaching piano privately in his spare time. 

Armed with a passionate love of listening, writing and performing, Ian hopes to bring a wide array of musical vocabulary and style to anyone who shares a desire to deepen their own personal connection with music.

Jason Carter (Bass)

Jason Carter is a relaxed invidual and actively gigging musician with a passion for music, teaching, and homesteading! Stay tuned for the full bio!

Paul Morales (Bass, Guitar, Theory, Banjo, Beginner Piano)

Paul’s lifelong interest in playing music began in grade four with the trumpet, which he played until grade 9, where he also learned to play French horn. He decided to pursue his true passion and learn to play the bass in the Westminster High School jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, and even a year of marching band. He continued playing bass at Carroll Community College, where he branched out into all forms of music ranging from ska and rock to smaller jazz combo groups, all of which performed at various venues in the Westminster/D.C, and Baltimore areas. 

In addition to Carroll Community, Paul later attended McDaniel colleges,where he continued his music education and bass instruction under the tutelage of the late Steven “Bo” Eckard. During this time Paul was employed as a musical talent/actor in “Pump Boys and Dinettes” for a Theater on The Hill production. Paul continues to participate in the music community here in Maryland, and is actively playing live music along with being involved in other musical endeavors. Paul loves teaching and talking music, and is very well versed in music theory and its application. He enjoys instilling knowledge to his students, and his relaxed and approachable persona makes him a fantastic instructor!