Shelly received her Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and Education from the University of Iowa and her Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Washington. Upon completion of her master's degree, Shelly expanded her private brass studio and currently teaches 54 trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, and tuba students per week. Shelly's students have seen successful performances at recitals and statewide music festivals, and several have gone on toward acceptance into All State, local youth symphonies, and college music programs.

Shelly has served as brass coach and clinician to Northwest Washington area schools, adjudicated Solo and Ensemble Festival for the Washington Music Educators Association, taught High Brass Techniques to undergraduate music majors at the University of Washington, and conducted Brass Camps throughout the Puget Sound.

An active performer, Shelly currently serves as trumpeter in the Tacoma Concert Band and the SBC Horns. She has been invited to perform as trumpet soloist on Doctoral Chamber Recitals, been sponsored on solo tours to the Midwest, and regularly performs throughout the region. Shelly has served as trumpeter with Navy Band Northwest and can be heard on two released recordings, Dreamcatcher by SWOJO and In the Deep by the Hope.

Shelly teaches Monday through Friday via remote video lessons and Saturday in-person.