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. When the group kept returning and progressing, they formed a ukulele band. 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 15, 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.

Jonathan McBee grew up listening to all kinds of music in his house and he loved to play and sing, learning the piano, French horn and mandolin at an early age. But his world changed at the age of 13 when he got his first guitar!

Jonathan played acoustic and electric guitar throughout high school and college and also learned to play the bass guitar. He worked as a solo artist and with a few different bands. He took vocal lessons and coaching and studied guitar from several great teachers and then started teaching guitar, bass, vocals and mandolin in 1995.

In 2003 Jonathan opened a guitar store, The Red Guitar in Berkeley Springs and then joined forces with Adam Kary in 2010 at BlackCat Music Shop teaching private and group sessions including The BlackCat School of Rock. Jonathan moved to Manhattan, Kansas in 2012 and taught music at the area Junior-Senior High School, The Adult and Community Education Center and also at Rick’s Music Shop. A move in 2017 to Hebron, Nebraska gave Jonathan a chance to teach music and work as a paraprofessional educator at Thayer Central Junior/Senior High School.

Jonathan happily returned home to Berkeley Springs in 2020 to teach students of all ages at BlackCat Music Shop and BlackCat Music Cooperative. Through the Cooperative, Jonathan started the Circle 6 Guitar Club for high school students, the BCMC Youth Vocak Group and created an adult singing group, Berkeley Sings. Jonathan also serves as the lead mentor and instructor in the Youth Mentorship Program.

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 also recorded various music videos and had their music included in various movies.

Adam later moved to Berkeley Springs 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.