Shelley was born in N.Y, moved to Israel at the age of 6 and came to Ireland in her early 20s. She spent the first 2 years in Cork City establishing her career as a Jazz artist collaborating with musicians from Cork, Dublin, and Belfast. After her move to Dublin in 1988, she teamed up with Conor Brady (The Blades) and Eamon Flynn to form “Bird”, an Urban Soul/ Rock ensemble who featured in all the major music TV programs and festivals in the late 80s and early 90s in both Ireland and abroad. 

Over the years she has lent her vocal prowess to numerous artists including Mik Pyro (Republic of Loose), Bronagh Gallagher, Mary Black and Mary Coughlan, amongst others. Aside from leading her own original music projects Shelley has many successful collaborative projects, among them Toni Walsh’s Elevator Raves in Ormond Key as well as Alternative Miss Ireland in 1995. In 1994 she collaborated with a young E.D.M producer, Simon Fitzpatrick, who used her voice for a new remix of the 80s hit “Maniac”. It was later adopted by the D.J Marc McCabe who added a rap and turned it into an Irish E.D.M anthem “Maniac 2000”.

As a solo artist Shelley has collaborated with the RTE Concert Orchestra and The Modern Gospel Ensemble with drummer and vocalist Rory Doyle (Hozier) and keyboardist Justin Carroll. In 2014 she collaborated with legendary Jamaican Reggae artist Dave Barker (Dave and Ansel “Double Barrel”) on Mark Lamar’s BBC live session with the Supertonic Sound Club. She also performed as part of the Montreux TV festival special with The Celtic Pose. Shelley Bukspan’s voice featured in BAFTA Award winning director Neasa Hardiman’s film Sea Fever. 

Shelley joined BIMM Institute Dublin as a lecturer when the college first opened its doors in 2011, and as Head of the Vocal department has mentored many of BIMM’s successful graduates.