Kirby has made a major impact in choral music education and has shared his musical expertise in 45 states, Canada, Australia, the Bahamas, Sweden, The Netherlands, Italy and South Africa. He has degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. 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. Kirby taught in the Mt. Shasta public schools 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 and is now directing the Jefferson State Choral Coalition at Southern Oregon University. Kirby has scatted one-on-one with such notables as Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau. Kirby is a member of Just 4 Kicks, a 4 man a cappella ensemble specializing in Jazz. A composer/arranger with over 2500 choral arrangements/compositions in print, Kirby’s music is sung around the world and has sold nearly 20 million copies. His most recent commission is for The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This creative and prolific output has resulted in numerous ASCAP awards. Kirby and his wife, Markita have written an original musical based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol entitled SCROOGICAL, soon to be presented at a quality theater near you! Kirby, Markita and their lick-your-face-off pound puppy, Solomon, live in a forest high above Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley.

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