Shirley was born in Huddersfield, and trained with the well-known RAD teacher Barbara Peters. Shirley was an RAD Scholar, studying in Leeds, York and London, and holds the Certificate and Diploma in Ballet Teaching Studies. She is also a qualified “Silver Swans” tutor and a qualified tutor in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). A mentor for the RAD CBTS (Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies), Shirley once had her own dance school, and has taught at the Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance, York and the Collette Tyler School of Performing Arts, Bridlington, and was Head of Ballet at the Hatton School of Performing Arts, Scarborough and the Bramcote Independent School, Scarborough. Shirley is also a Ballet Teacher Educational Consultant, and now lives in Bingley.