Mike Kligerman, artist and musician is a multi-instrumentalist who, when not performing, teaches others to enjoy guitar, violin,viola, bass, and above all, the  humble ukulele. The Tri-State Ukeclectic Orchestra, began with players who took free First Friday uke lessons at the BlackCat Music Shop.  The popularity of the Ukeclectics grew with frequent gigs, expanding repertoire, and smiling audiences. In late 2018, Maestro Mike founded the Young Yukes, ages 8 to 18, who soon placed third in the 2019 Morgan County Has Talent Show.

Mike formerly played violin in the Nairobi (Kenya) Opera Orchestra, taught at the Kenya Conservatory of Music and was Principal viola in the Montgomery Philharmonic Orchestra. He taught folk guitar at Glen Echo Park for over 35 years, and is the Arthur Godfrey Chair of Ukulele at the Washington Conservatory of Music. A restless soul, Mike also paints, sculpts, raises chickens and loves teaching.

Adam Kary hails from Philadelphia, Pa and after high school attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California to develop his musical skills. Adam is the former drummer of the rock band, God Lives Underwater, touring the United States and Europe and releasing national singles and albums. The group recorded several music videos and had their music included in various movies.

Adam moved to Berkeley Springs in 2009 to start the family owned BlackCat Music Shop, providing musical instruments, lessons and more to the region. Adam began the BlackCat School of Rock with high school students a number of years ago and is still available for drumming and bass lessons.

Adam and his dog Louie (who is always at the shop!) invite you to stop by for all of your musical needs and learn more about BlackCat Music Cooperative.

Growing up in Edinburgh, Scotland, Ali Tod was musical from an early age, playing guitar, violin, piano and singing. She went on to study guitar at Edinburgh Napier University, gaining a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Music with honours, before going on to gain a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education for Secondary Music from the University of Edinburgh. Whilst carving out her own sound on acoustic guitar that combined her classical training with her wider tastes and influences, Ali has developed her musicianship as part of many separate projects.

Ali has performed with GRAMMY award winning musicians Brandi Carlile and Rodrigo y Gabriela, and at International Guitar Festivals all over the world. After getting married and moving to West Virginia in 2024, Ali performed at the local Black Cat Open Mic and the rest is history!

Joel Newman is a full time musician and a transplanted New Yorker, with an eclectic musical background. He cut his teeth on blues, soul, funk and rock, studied and played jazz with some name brand teachers. Joel also studied the time proven classical vocal technique of Bel Canto. His claim to fame is he recorded and co-wrote with TimCurry, (of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ fame…); for his A&M records release “Simplicity” produced by Michael Kamen. He also played what is called “the chitlin circuit” in NYC, clubs like Willie’s Lounge, the Mark IV and others including the award winning, Live at the Apollo R&B band ‘Take Cover’. Performing with musical giants such as T.M. Stevens, Dr. John, Miroslav Vitious, Dick Wagner and David Sanborn, to name a few. As you can tell, stylistically he can cover a broad range of musical styles.

Josiah Wilder has been playing guitar for 15+ years. As a previous member of the BlackCat School of Rock, he aims to teach and inspire students on their musical journey. Having years of playing several genres, sharing the nuance of each respective style has always been an interest of Josiah.

Nathan “Nate” Pipes was born and raised in Hedgesville, WV and started his musical journey in middle school on the Bass. Playing with the Jazz Band through high school, it was around his Sophomore year Nate founded his own project: Rivera. Through ups and downs, the band would take him all across the U.S. and even Mexico, culminating in a run on Warped Tour and even featuring on the Warped Rewind at Sea cruise. After the initial announcement of Warped Tour’s closure, Nate took off from music briefly to pursue a bit more stability in his life. After settling in Berkeley Springs, he was happy to find kindred spirits at BlackCat Music Shop, and is ecstatic to share his down to earth rock and roll experience with the next generation of musicians.