Bentley Shellahamer was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where he began music studies in the fourth grade. In 1958, his family moved to Miami, where he attended North Miami High School. Following his 1962 graduation, he attended Florida State University, where he participated in the Marching Chiefs, the Symphonic Band, and the Circus Band. He received the BME degree in 1966, and accepted a position as director of bands at James S. Rickards High School, in Tallahassee (1966-1971), and later at Piper High School, in Fort Lauderdale (1971-1977).
He earned the Masters of Music Education degree (1970) from the Florida State University, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education at the Ohio State University (1984), where he received a University Fellowship and several academic awards for excellence.
In 1977, he was appointed to the faculty in the FSU School of Music, and served as the Director of the Marching Chiefs and Associate Conductor of Bands (1977-1989). In 1989, he was appointed Assistant Dean of the School of Music. In addition to his duties as Assistant Dean, Dr. Shellahamer assists with the supervision of student teachers, teaches music education courses, is an active researcher in the field of teaching behaviors, and conducts the University Wind Symphony. He is co-author of a widely used textbook on marching band techniques, and maintains an active schedule of adjudicating and guest conducting throughout the United States. He has taught in London, England, and in Valencia, Spain. He is the founder, conductor, and music director of the Tallahassee Winds, a 100 member adult concert band. During his teaching career, he has served in various capacities in the Florida Bandmasters Association and the Florida Music Educators Association.
He and his wife Barbara have been married since 1964. They have two sons, Glenn Scott and Mark Vance, both of whom graduated from Florida State University.