Billy Sheak is a 2011 graduate from Lake High School in Uniontown, OH. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies from Bowling Green State University in 2016. He earned a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the State University of New York at Purchase College in 2018.

During his time at BGSU, he was the drummer for the JECO Intercollegiate-Jazz Ensemble and a founding member of the Tiffin, OH-based Axis Indoor
Percussion Ensemble. Billy is a former student of jazz drumming legends, John Riley and Matt Wilson.

During his time in New York City, he played with numerous jazz legends including; Jon Faddis, ©Grammy Award-Winning bassist, Todd Coolman, Dick Oatts, Steve Davis, Gary Smulyan, Mike Ledonne, Mike Stern, Ann-Hampton Calloway and many others. He was also the first call substitute drummer for the Birdland Big Band at the world-famous Birdland Jazz Club in NYC.

Billy spent 6 summers performing as a drummer at Cedar Point Amusement Park. As an educator, he teaches in Alliance City Schools. He is an assistant band and orchestra director as well as the percussion director, drumline instructor, Jazz Band director and Show Choir
instrumental director.

He looks forward to being a part of the BBWR and hopes to bring his
performance experience and love of Jazz to the ensemble.