Shirley Kirkes-Mar

Shirley’s dance and art are best described as energetic, enthusiastic and adventuresome. She began dancing at the young age of seven and danced her way through theater, movies, and television. Shirley studied ballet extensively at the New York City Ballet, Chicago’s Stone and Cameron, Los Angeles Panievf Ballet, and in Texas at the Grey Ballet of the Performing Arts. Her choreography has been used by directors such as Rob Reiner, Clint Eastwood, John Landis and Gary Marshall and performed by many actors including Steve Martin, Michael J. Fox, Bernadette Peters, Martin Short, and Henry Winkler.

Her love of story-telling has inspired her to write and choreograph several original ballets for Westside Ballet in L.A., Class Act Dance; and Jeff and Shirley's own Ballet Company. Shirley has been involved in numerous Foundation productions over the past eight years including three of her own original ballets. Her most recent productions include Crazy for You, Pajama Game, Music Man and The Cambria Follies. Shirley is also an accomplished artist and many of her works have been used in various television series and movies as well as in support of Foundation productions.