Shelby A. Sykes is an actress, vocalist, and voice instructor originally from Gaithersburg, MD. From a young age, Shelby cultivated her passion for the performing arts through formal training and extensive professional performance. She attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and began her classical voice studies with the late Edward Jackson, later continuing private study under Kristin Halliday at Winston Churchill High School.

Shelby attended the Manhattan School of Music, studying classical voice performance under the legendary Mignon Dunn, and is currently enrolled in the BFA in Performing Arts program as part of Manhattan School of Music’s inaugural cohort. While classically trained, she is a highly versatile vocalist with experience across musical theatre, blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, pop, and rock.

From 2021–2023, Shelby traveled internationally as a lead vocalist with the B.B. King All-Star Band at Sea and the Rolling Stone Rock Lounge with Holland America Cruise Lines, performing nightly for global audiences and developing vocal stamina, stylistic flexibility, and a sustainable performance technique.

Some of her credits include The Color Purple (2nd National Tour), Little Shop of Horrors at the esteemed PlayMakers Repertory Company at UNC Chapel Hill, Into the Woods, and Once On This Island. Shelby has been nominated for numerous community, local, and regional awards and currently serves as a lead vocalist with Emerald Empire Band. Since 2024, she has taught voice across The Community Music School, working with students of all ages and levels while emphasizing healthy technique, confidence, and artistic authenticity. She is also a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women.

Shelby currently resides in Raleigh, NC and is thrilled to be teaching voice with Allie Mae Carnes Studio. When she’s not teaching or performing, she’s a devoted cat mom to her tuxedo Almond and a proud plant mama to dozens of tropical plants.