From the drum set Sherrie leads The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, her quintet FIVE PLAY and co-leads the 3D Jazz Trio. She is also a busy freelance performer, a published composer/arranger and a dedicated educator, clinician, guest conductor and soloist.
With her bands Sherrie has performed at many of the world’s most acclaimed music venues and festivals, from Lincoln Center to the Kennedy Center and the Hollywood Bowl, to Jazz Festivals in Germany, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Ireland, England, Croatia, Japan, Vietnam, and Israel and beyond. Additionally, Sherrie and DIVA were featured at the 2017 NEA Jazz Master’s Awards Ceremony, the soundtrack for the NBC-Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular; on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood, on TCM’s televised broadcast of the 25th Anniversary of the Kennedy Center and NHK Japan’s New York Jazz. The band also co-stars in the award-winning documentary film The Girls in the Band.
Sherrie has received several awards and honors which include the 2022 Ronald McDonald House – New York’s Music for Hope award; 2016 Audelco Award for “Best Musical” – Tappin’ Thru Life; 2014 Ovation award for “Best Music Direction” in Tappin Thru Life; the 2009 Mary Lou Williams-Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award, a 2013 State Department grant for FIVE PLAY to tour Vietnam, a tour grant from Arts International, The Kennedy Center Alliance Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Arts, a grant from Meet the Composer, a Doctoral Fellowship from New York University, the New York City Music Educator’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and was twice selected New York University “Music Teacher of the Year.”
As an educator, Sherrie runs a private drum set and percussion studio. She is also a clinician for Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads and Vic Firth Drumsticks. From coast-to-coast she also serves as a guest conductor, soloist, and adjudicator for collegiate and high school jazz festivals. 15 years ago, Sherrie created, and remains the Music Director for Musical Magic, a hospital outreach program for The Ronald McDonald House – New York. She is currently on the faculty of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Sherrie graduated from Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, N.Y. in 1981. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in 1985, then moved to New York City to attend New York University, where she completed a Master of Arts in Jazz Performance in 1986 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Jazz Performance/Composition in 2000.
Sherrie’s recent recordings include The DIVA Jazz Orchestra Swings Broadway (2022), The 3D Jazz Trio 9 to 5 (2022), Christmas in 3D (2020) and I Love to See You Smile (2020), DIVA and the Boys (2019, MCG Jazz), and FIVE PLAY “LIVE” at The Firehouse Stage (2019)
When Sherrie isn’t fully immersed in her musical worlds, she loves to hike and spend a lot of time outside. She loves her 3 rescue kitties, McKitty, Beast and Goofy: her rescue doggie Finnegan (an Australian Terrier) and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
Sherrie and her partner currently live in a converted Dairy Barn in West Chester, PA.
Sherrie loves to swing!
