Born in Bilozerka, Shirina played several instruments including accordion and piano.

[1] Shirina has been a member of the Odesa Opera and Ballet Theater from 1975,[2] later also in charge of the company.

[3] She has toured in Europe to France, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and Spain, and further to Canada, Japan and Afghanistan.

In 1990, she took part in a recording of a gala concert "The Golden Crown" of the second International Festival of Opera at the theatre, conducted by Vasyl Vasylenko.

She was awarded the title People's Artist of Ukraine in 1993, and was named Chevalier of the Order of Princess Olga in 1998.