Vocals

​Shirley is a Detroit native who studied under tutelage of one of Detroit's premier harpists and vocal instructors, Patricia Terry-Ross, who was her teacher at Detroit's Cass Technical High School. She studied voice, piano, and harp under Mrs. Ross. She also studied with Professor Dennis J. Tini at Wayne State University. Shirley's passion for music shows in her interaction with her students. She teaches piano from beginner to intermediate as well. She is also a phonomenal vocal coach and loves to work with children as well as adults who aspire to enhance their vocal ability. 

 

She was the original music director/vocal coach for the gospel stage play Detroit's own, Perilous Times, produced by TJ Hemphill. She has traveled extensively on a national level and abroad to Melbourne, Australia and Jamaica to coach vocals in the Gospel genre. She was also the original Minister of Music for Bishop William H. Murphy III and the Dream Center Church, Altanta, GA.

 

She's formerly the Minister of Music at the Potter's House International Ministries in Jacksonville, FL where the pastor, Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin, was proud to oversee her musical gift for 17yrs. 

Several of her students have gone on to achieve great success musically such as international gospel recording artist Lisa McCLendon and also Jamison Ross who was the winner of the 2012 Thelonious Monk Competition for Drummers.

 

 

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Reviews:

   "Ms. Shirley Smith is a phenomenal musician/teacher that knows how to pour her knowledge and skills into others in a fun and easy way. Taking piano lessons with her for over two years, she taught me important things like scales and chords, music theary, ear training, and she helped me work on sight-reading as well. One thing that I enjoyed doing with her was trying to figure out the bass line and chords when listening to a song by using the number system. I've also had the privilege of having her as a vocal coach when she was the music minister at our church. She has an incredible ear that will help singers improve their pitch, tone quality, and techiques. Ms Shirley Smith knows her stuff and I would recommend her to anywone who wats to improve their musical life!" -Francesca M.

 

"I have been in serveral workshops with her and she is very gifted in so many different genres of msuic. She's very thorough and has a unique way of explaining musical concepts to help you understand the goal. I recommend her for any kind of choral music and one on one vocal coaching. She's awesome and funny too!" -Nikki T.