Dr. Shapard received his B.M.E (Vocal/Choral) from Baylor University in 1997, M.Div (emphasis in worship) from Candler School of Theology (Emory University), M.M. (Music Performance, Conducting) from the University of North Florida in 2016, D.P.M. (Community Music and Racial Justice) from Southern Methodist University in 2021, and M.S. Coaching (Mental Performance) from the University of South Carolina in 2025.

Dr. Shapard and the Rev. Rachel Gunter Shapard have been married for 24 years. Their three kids each perform on different stages of their own. Drew (19) is a vocal performance major at Florida State University, Kate (16) is a sophomore at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts focusing on musical theater, and Mac (14) is a rising junior golfer in his freshman year at Wolfson High School who also enjoys playing flag football. The Shapards have lived in Jacksonville for 17 years.