Stephen Shellard comes from Dublin. He began his musical career as a chorister in the choir of St Bartholomew’s Church Ballsbridge, later moving to St. Patrick’s Cathedral where he became Head Chorister and Winstanley Scholar.
He continued his musical education at Trinity College Dublin during which time he became the youngest ever Alto Lay Vicar Choral in the 800 year history of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
In 1990, Stephen moved to join Worcester Cathedral Choir where he is now Senior Lay Clerk.
Stephen’s solo career has included working with Worcester Festival Choral Society, as well as many other Choral Societies. He has sung and recorded with specialist early music ensemble, Musica Contexta. Stephen also sang solo in the group’s Wigmore Hall debut in 2001, which was broadcast on Radio 3.
In 1998, Stephen formed and began to conduct the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir, which brought female voices to the soprano and alto line of a Cathedral Choir in Worcester for the first time in its 900 year history.
The Chamber Choir has made seven recordings to date.
Stephen formed and began to conduct The Proteus Ensemble, which is a professional sixteen voice choir with members coming from across the UK, in 2013.
Stephen has also been a professional singing teacher for 25 years.
