"What power. What heart. She brought me to tears.  This kind of raw emotion and talent is rare."
- Marc Shaiman (Smash, Hairspray, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut)
"If I could be a girl singer, I'd want to sing like this."
- Jason Robert Brown (Tony Award Winning Composer: Honeymoon in Vegas, 13, The Last 5 Years)
"I've known who you are for such a long time! I've watched you on youtube and I'm such a fan!  
You're like a genius. You're in that genius category... You have one of my all time favorite voices."
- Robert Ulrich (Casting Director: Glee, American Horror Story, The Mentalist)
"Oh Shelly... you seem to capture all that I feel in the color of your voice. 
I have such a love affair with you...  I feel so many things for you."
- Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tony Nominee/Performer: 30 Rock, The Little Mermaid)
"Thompson also shared the stage with blonde Shelly Bort in a duet on "Stay" that featured nice harmonies. Singing alone, Bort showed off her powerful legitimate voice on "Level", about holding onto the residue of a failed relationship."
- Elliott Zwiebach (Cabaret Scenes, Reviewer, Los Angeles, CA)
"She's written and produced multiple musicals and performed with some of the most talented singers and Broadway stars out there. Shelly Bort is a force to be reckoned with. She's hilarious, talented, and hardworking."
- Roem Baur (The Voice, Musician/Host)

​“Watching how Shelly Bort, the musical director, brings these women together to form a band has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had in theatre. I often find myself in the role of a fan, cheering on these amazing women as they climb to new musical heights.” 
- Rocky Rhoades (Stage 3 Theatre Co.)
"It's so much fun watching this ensemble jump from one number to the next, relishing each character for a brief moment before scrambling into the next costume, that it's easy to forget how much research & rehearsal must have been required to parody & reference such an expansive revue of iconic musicals & figures. The fact that the direction, musical direction, & choreography for this roller coaster were all done by the same person (Shelly Bort) is all the more impressive! 
- Brian Zarka (ElNido Productions)
“I’m having a ball working with Shelly Bort and this young and energetic cast. Shelly is amazing; her energy is second to none and she is funny and quirky to boot.”
- Dwight Mahabir (Forbidden Broadway Cast Member)
"Shelly Bort (an Elly-nominated actress in the role of Rita in “Cowgirls the Musical”)
does the musical direction and choreography for this Stage 3 production. 
Having Shelly Bort back at Stage 3 to close out this space and our season is icing on the cake.”
- Rocky Rhoades (Stage 3 Theatre)
" As the opening song “Forbidden Broadway” begins, the septet is seated, but this is one of only a couple of moments when anyone but Shelly Bort is seated. She directs the show, choreographed it and plays accompaniment on that piano terrifically. (...) Truth told, this show would grind most actors to a pulp, but Bort seems to infuse lots of caffeine into her cast’s water bottles. They would struggle without Bort’s more than capable tickling of the ivories, and her quick changes between vignettes – adorably staged with TV theme songs playing to rush her along – are a constant source of enjoyment. (...) The opening night audience leaped to its feet at the end of the show. (...) Catch this revue before the lights go dim. Your funny bone will thank you." (Forbidden Broadway)
- Mike Taylor (Sierra Lodestar)
"Shelly Bort, who appeared at Stage 3 in “Cowgirls the Musical,” returns to direct and choreograph this production. Confidently in command of the piano for the entire performance, she keeps the pace moving along nicely. She also performs a delightful impersonation of Carol Channing, and her channeling of Ethel Merman is one of the play’s many highlights.  (Forbidden Broadway)
- Kathie Isaac-Luke (The Union Democrat)
"Perhaps his greatest find was Musical Director Shelly Bort, who also plays Rita, the good-natured pianist who’s seven months pregnant. Bort is a charismatic performer with a knockout voice who plays much of the musical accompaniment while sporting a very pregnant belly... Bort swings that belly in maneuvers that lend an earthy hilarity to her role.  (Cowgirls)
- Patricia Harrelson (Sierra Lodestar)
"Shelly Bort plays Rita, the very pregnant pianist and leader of the classical trio. Bort, who also is the musical director for this production, has impressive credits as a singer and musician. Her performance is confident and charismatic." (Cowgirls)
- Kathie Isaac-Luke (The Union Democrat)
"Bort changes moods on a dime, expertly going from spitting furious to heart wrenching, sobbing tears that will rip your heart out and leave it on the theatre floor. (...) Bort reaches brilliance in the role Kathy Bates originated."
- Misery

"Shelly Bort channels her inner Aretha Franklin as "The Sour Kangaroo"
- Seussical The Musical​​
"In 'Just One Step', singer Shelly Bort brings to life the inner turmoil of a woman pushed to the limits of her endurance by her inattentive husband. Bort aptly captures the feeling of being involved in a relationship in which you are invisible to the other person. No matter what you do or say, your partner has already turned away"
- Songs For A New World
"(...) Shelly Bort brought maturity to the mix as daughter-in-law Anne.  
​(McDonald and Bort) harmonized wonderfully in "We Make a Beautiful Pair." 
- Shenandoah
"Shelly Bort, who doubled as Musical Director, is humorously pompous as Lucy, the bossy amateur psychiatrist."
- You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
"Even when her music is breaking your heart, Shelly Bort never once fails to make you smile somewhere deep inside; ​
a big voice, a huge smile, and major talent." 
- Review of Solo Cabaret Show of Original Music
"Shelly Bort is the singer/songwriter that everyone should aspire to be. She has the ability to connect with an audience that makes you feel with each song, as though you have lived that same exact situation and her song is your own life story. Shelly is able to do this regardless of the setting or topic, and that is an accomplishment all her own. 

She is an artist that is truly not afraid to put her emotions and life stories into her art which creates beautiful and intelligent lyrics which only makes you respect her more as an artist. Shelly Bort is a true talent that should not be missed!" 
- Danny Seal (Martial Arts Director)
"Shelly Bort exudes talent from her pores... her singing is infectious, her voice is rich and warm, her piano playing is exciting, and her compositions reach you in the depths of your soul.  If you've ever felt in love, you will understand the greatness of her talent. Fall in love with her and her music for yourself!" 
- Lori Struss (Dancer/ Choreographer)
"Shelly Bort as a musician/singer/songwriter in my honest opinion, is outstanding! She has the ability to make you feel the emotions of what her songs embody. She allows the listener to take part in a journey that she paints with her clever lyrics and beautiful melodies."  
- Brady Turner (Designer)
"Shelly Bort. A one-of-a-kind singer-songwriter who carries her soul in her music, then shares it with the world.
I am not surprised to find myself singing the lyrics of a song as it pertains to my life and find it turns out to be a Shelly Bort song. Skillful in conveying depth of emotion in song, not just in the writing, but also in the performing, Shelly Bort is one to keep an eye on. Friend, singer, actor, writer, musician, film-maker, dog Mom, she does it ALL brilliantly."
- Angela K. Morgan (Opera singer)
JUST WAIT AND SEE...
"you are easy to love"  5 out of 5 stars
by knoxsavage

"In 2009, I got the chance to see a song cycle written and performed by Shelly Bort with a cast of friends and familiar faces. I sat next someone I valued tremendously throughout the show, occasionally looking over at her with my jaw dropped and chills along the spine. The music of this cycle is now captured on this album and I can't properly explain how important this is to me. I was impacted so heavily by Bort's work in its initial form, now I melt listening to this album. The person I got to share that first night with Just Wait and See back in 2009 is now featured on the album and I radiate pride. Each performer on every track gives me so much and my cup is filled with every listen. 

Thank you, Shelly Bort, for writing the right words and melodies. You have given me so much. You are changing the world."
MAKES SENSE
"Long time coming" 5 out of 5 stars
by J_amie_son

"Have been a huge fan of her and her work for going on 9 years now. This album is the shiz, it was well worth the wait. Now she needs to get her other shows on here! (iTunes) This is by far her best work yet, and that's hard to say, since everything she does is brilliant. Best lyricist working today. Congratulations, Shell!"
"MAKES SENSE'” is fantastic!"  5 out of 5 stars
by wesweb

"Shelly Bort never ceases to amaze me with her musical talent. “Makes Sense” beautifully showcases her talent as well as that of her supporting musicians. The lyrics, arrangements, vocals and instrumentals are lively and poignant. Am I really limited to rating it only 5 stars?"
"Download now, thank me later"  5 out of 5 stars
by Mindy McArthur

"Just stop what you are doing and download this now. I promise you that Shelly Bort will become your new favorite independent artist. She's a gifted singer/songwriter, and I believe one of the best out there. I'm very glad that she is now on iTunes so that more people will hear her work! If you are still wavering, check out her videos on shellybort.com or youtube. As for 'Makes Sense', if you have ever loved, lost, loved and lost, had a soul, etc... you will relate to these lyrics. She has a remarkable gift. It takes a lot of courage to be that open, that raw. I hope you're ready, because this ten bucks will change your life. Love, love, love this artist!!"
"Work that is inspired has inspired others!"
​5 out of 5 stars
by Brennan Paulin

 "These songs come straight from the heart of Shelly Bort, a songwriter who's music I have been listening to and enjoying via youtube for years! All that pain and feelings of yearning and love have transcended to me in many ways, I am so glad that Shelly has been able to express these thoughts and ideas with her music. When I listen to songs of strength like "Try" and songs of vulnerability like "Without You" and "10 Boyfriends" they have this amazing ability to transcribe what's in my heart and what's in the hearts of many others out there. I've never even met Shelly and as a fellow composer, I am so proud of her hard work and hope that her music encourages other composers to create their own works. The world needs masterpieces like these in 'Makes Sense'".