Shirley is from Hexham, Northumberland and her love for dance and music began at the age of four, attending ballet and tap classes and playing classical piano and violin. Shirley went on to study at Middlesex University and was selected for a place at a New York School of Performing Arts, gaining a BA Hons degree in Performing Arts. Shirley became a dancer, choreographer, Head Dancer and progressed to Dance Captain leading high performing show teams for 10 years on cruise ships all over the world. Having met her husband on a Millenium cruise, he proposed in Greenland, they returned to the North East and married at Hexham Abbey.
From ships to trains…Shirley started a career in the corporate world working for the East Coast Mainline, responsible for Uniform strategy and delivery for 10 years, Customer Experience Standards & Quality Management, Customer Insights, Digital Engagement and Change Management. Shirley launched the LNER Azuma Pioneers programme formed of engaged colleagues across the business to support the implementation of Azuma trains in 2019 and is now LNER’s Lead for Operational Readiness & Engagement for Strategic Projects, putting people at the heart of the business, assessing impact and planning for successful transformational change.
During her corporate career, Shirley’s love for the arts, performing and public speaking has continued, including choreographing Flash mobs and arranging Charter train entertainment to support railway charities, Host for Business Awards, a voiceover artiste and even working as a Wedding photographer! The privilege to sing in choirs at amazing venues such as the Royal Albert Hall has been particularly memorable for Shirley and most recently singing with the Royal Northern Sinfonia Chorus for the BBC Proms at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
A huge passion of Shirley’s is to motivate, help and inspire others to be at their best, so Shirley is delighted to become a Board member as she cares passionately about playing a part to help shape and make a difference to the future of dance in the North East and Dance City.