Adam Kary

Drums - Recording - BlackCat School Of Rock

Adam's love of music was evident from his earliest years. After high school, he attended Musician's Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, CA. He later toured as the drummer for the band God Lives Underwater (American Records), traveling throughout the US and Europe, on tour with bands including Korn, 311, Garbage, Filter, White Zombie, Sublime & No Doubt among others. God Lives Underwater had four albums and four Mtv videos. Their music was also featured in several motion pictures including Johnny Mnemonic, 15 Minutes, Mortal Kombat, Gossip, and National Lampoon's Senior Trip. Adam has played in several Philadelphia-based bands as well, and has a new band in Berkeley Springs. He founded BlackCat Music in 2008.
His teaching career spans more than a decade, and multiple instruments..his passion remains the drums. He enjoys a special connection with new learners of all ages. He's especially proud of his "School Of Rock" students. Recording is also a passion of his.. he has engineered and produced recordings for several local artists.

  Jonathan McBee

Guitar - Bass - Voice - BlackCat School Of Rock

I first discovered music at a young age listening to the radio and country music television shows with my grandmother, Mary Ann Cain.

Music has always been an important part of my Life.  I had three older brothers who were discovering rock and roll before me and I was greatly influenced by the constant music playing in the house.

My childhood was spent with a great deal of private and group music instruction in piano and French horn.

At age thirteen, I had discovered my late grandfather’s mandolin and began playing around with it.  I borrowed a couple songbooks and a chord book from a neighbor and began teaching myself how to play.  About a year later, I realized that mandolin was not nearly cool enough and had to learn to play guitar.

I played acoustic and electric guitar through high school and college as a solo artists and with a few different bands.  Singing was also very important to me.  I took vocal classes, lessons and coaching from several great teachers including Annette Shives Day and Dr. Paul Stenger of Shepherd College.  In college, I also picked up a bass guitar and pursue it as another instrument.

After playing many years I began studying music with Tom Blickenstaff and Alan Mason in Hagerstown, MD. Currently I play in two local bands.

I’ve been teaching guitar, bass guitar, vocals and mandolin since 1995.

I have been teaching guitar at BlackCat Music Shop in Berkeley Springs, WV since February 2010. I also manage sales and the sound and DJ services at BlackCat.

My private instruction is tailored for individuals in the style of music that they want to learn.  With a little practice between lessons students can develop the skills they need to move on to the next level.

Group instruction is also available with The BlackCat School of Rock.  Students are put into a group setting with their instruments and taught to play rock and roll as a band.

  Robert Howard

Hammered Dulcimer - Music Theory - Fine Art

Robert Howard is an artist and musician living and working in Great Cacapon, West Virgina, a small town just outside Berkeley Springs.  He has been playing and teaching art and music for the past 10 years.  An ex-patriot from the DC metropolitan area and former hospital CEO, he plays hammered dulcimer, classical guitar, mandolin, and xaphoon.  He and his partner, Janet Gauthier, are also working artists and teach and show their art regionally.  He teaches hammered dulcimer, and performs locally.