Shirley Smith

INQUIRE

Ms. Smith 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 nationally and abroad to Australia, Switzerland, and Jamaica to coach vocals in the Gospel genre. She is 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 17 years. She was also the original Minister of Music for Bishop William H. Murphy, III and The Dream Center Church, Atlanta, GA.

Shirley’s passion for music shows in her interaction with her students. She teaches piano from beginner to intermediate and is also a phenomenal vocal coach who loves to work with children as well as adults who aspire to enhance their vocal ability.

Ms. Smith has been performing for 42 years & teaching voice and piano for 35 years. She teaches students, of all ages, who want to learn to play by ear as well as read music. She has enjoyed teaching classes for several summer music festivals including the Augusta Blues Festival at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia, the Country Blues Festival for Centrum in Port Townsend, Washington, and the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC.

I love working with Shirley. She is one of the best teachers I’ve ever worked with. She takes her time and explains her teaching technique, making sure that you’re comfortable. She works with you not only vocally but mentally so that you’re mentally prepared to sing and to implement what she’s taught you.

Also, one of the best things, for me, working with Shirley is there is always laughter and love in the room. Her space is very comforting. It’s very warm and it’s very relaxing. That allows the singer to relax and to be comfortable enough to be vulnerable so that they’re able to dig deep and pull out what’s needed. There’s always so much in a vocalist that they don’t know that they have, and it takes a very special teacher to touch the core of a singer and pull that out. Shirley is that very special teacher.

"I am a better singer now because of the techniques that she’s taught me."

Beth Griffith-Manley

Vocalist & Recording Artist for Anise Records

The Voice – Season 16