Kirby Shaw has made a major impact in vocal music education and has shared his musical expertise in 44 states, Canada, Australia, the Bahamas, Sweden, and the Netherlands. A scholar, Dr. Shaw has a BA degree in Music Education and an MA degree in Choral Composition from San Jose State University an DMA degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. A teacher, Shaw taught in the Mt. Shasta public school system before joining the faculty at College of the Siskiyous in California where he founded and directed the innovative and highly acclaimed COS Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He also directed similar groups at Colorado State University and The University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Shaw's teaching is infused with a sense of humor and breadth of knowledge that is transmitted in an exciting and highly contagious manner.

A producer, Dr. Shaw has overseen the creation of hundreds of educational choral recordings for the Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation and Jenson Publications. A performer, Kirby has scatted one-on-one with such notables as Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, and Mark Murphy. He has two solo singing CD's to his credit including an album with legendary vocal jazz guru Phil Mattson entitled "It's About Time," but his greatest singing joy comes from singing with Just 4 Kicks, a zany four man a cappella vocal jazz group whose goal is to perform at major jazz festivals worldwide. Their second CD, "All In Good Time," was recently released.

A Composer / Arranger, with over 1,000 choral arrangements/compositions in print, Dr. Shaw's music has been sung all around the world and has sold millions of copies. This prolific output has resulted in numerous ASCAP awards. Kirby, his wife, Markita and their trusty pound-puppy, Solomon, reside in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley.