MCCA Teacher Profile Ms. Shelby

How long have you been a teacher at MCCA? What do you teach?

I’ve been teaching at MCCA for almost 10 years!  I’ve taught a lot over the years, but right now, I’m teaching mostly musical theatre and private vocal coaching. 

If you could have a superpower what would you choose?

Teleportation. I spend a lot of time in the car - I would have so much more time for things I love!

If you could have dinner with any two people from history, alive or dead, who would you choose?

I’m sure this would be different if you asked me next week, but today Maya Angelou and Vincent Van Gogh are popping into my mind.  They’re two of my favorite artists. I would love to have been able to soak in their presence and learn something about humanity through their eyes.

Who is your role model and why?

There are a whole bunch of people I admire and respect as artists and humans. While I definitely try to march to the beat of my own drum, if you know me, you know I really admire Susan Tedeschi as an artist and human. She’s super kind, she adds beautiful music and energy to the world, she stands up for what’s right, she’s a mom and still does what she loves, she lifts people up, and as a young woman (and still) she got herself in a lot of rooms women wouldn’t normally be in.  She’s one of a kind.  If you don’t know about her, check her out - she’s seriously amazing.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

Oooh there are so many places I would love to go.  Top of the list is somewhere on the Mediterranean. The coast of Italy or Greece, maybe.

Outside of MCCA - what else are you involved in?

I have an Etsy store (Kate & Shelby Create) with my wife, where we sell all sorts of handmade stuff from cutting boards, to jewelry, to paintings, to coasters, to funky home decor - we started experimenting making things during Covid and never really stopped!  I also gig as a solo musician.  I garden like my life depends on it, and I LOVE to cook.  And for the past few years, I’ve been working with some friends on writing a musical. Last fall I traveled to New Orleans to music direct the first major staged reading of it.  I also love to travel, see live music and theatre, camp, fish, and do anything near water.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Interrupting. I just wish more people took part in active listening. 

How do you define success?

Success for me is being able to lean into my values and feel good about my contribution to the world - energetically, artistically, and intellectually.  Being kind, having connected interactions, following my curiosity.  That to me feels like success.

Describe yourself in three words

Curious, Passionate, Empathetic.