He attended Noblesville High School, where he wrote for the glee club and played in several Indianapolis area rock bands.
Shaun went to Indiana University Bloomington and graduated with a double degree in Audio Technology and Music and Telecommunications.
After five years, Shankel decided to leave and pursue his own production career, and set up shop at Lealand Studios.
Some of the artists he has worked with include Kimberley Locke, Hilary Duff, Clay Aiken, Nicholas Jonas (and the Jonas Brothers) Jadyn Maria (Herbal Essences national campaign), RJ Helton, Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Chronicles of Narnia, Rebecca St. James, Jump 5, Tyler Hilton, Mark Schultz, Plumb, Avalon, ZOEGirl, Michael English and For King & Country.
In 2005, Shankel signed with Warner Chappell Music and while pursuing his own projects created another joint venture, Shankel Songs and signed Ben Glover, Billboard's Christian writer of the Year, 2010, Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, and For King & Country: The EP, whom he also produced.