Phillip Lamar Boykin
Accomplishments
“Life’s no good without a song” –Phillip Boykin
•Appeared in such Hartt productions as The Rape of Lucretia,
Tarquinius, and Don Alfonso
• Toured internationally with the New York Harlem Production
Company in Porgy and Bess as Crown and Jim
• Toured nationally in the dramatic musical Show Boat as Joe
• Performed with the Connecticut Opera and Hartford Symphony
Accomplishments, continued
•Featured annually in the Kennedy Center’s Black Nativity
•Established member of the Cleveland Opera’s Association
Artist roster
•Performed as Orpheus in the musical Famous Orpheus at
Karaneu Theatre
•Choreographed the Phyllis Wheatly Theater of Youth (while a
student at GHS)
Education
Vocal training at Greenville
Fine Arts Center and the
Governor’s School while
attending GHS
Began opera training at North
Carolina School of the Arts
Transferred to the University
of Hartford’s Hartt School of
Music, where he earned his
Bachelor of Music degree in
vocal performance
Attended Howard University to
attain a Master’s Degree in
Opera and Jazz Vocals
Personal
A native to Greenville, Boykin grew up in a
house with nine siblings. He graduated
from Greenville High School in 1988.
With his wife, Felicia, he now resides in
New Jersey, where he teaches, acts,
directs, writes, and choreographs many
pieces. Boykin’s standout brass-baritone
voice has helped establish his successful
career as a performer.
Interview
What is your best memory at Greenville High?
“I think my best memory was before I was a student at
Greenville High School. I was a student at Hollis Middle
School. Mrs. Bennett gave me a role in a show. I played
Fred and got to sing my first role in a musical at
Greenville High School, on the Greenville High School
stage.”
What was your goal or your dream when you were a
student?
“My goal was to be a professional singer in musical
theater, opera, or any type of music. I wanted to be the
next Luther Vandross or Stevie Wonder. I wanted to
travel all around the world singing. Being at Greenville
High School with Mrs. Bennett encouraging me to
audition for the Governors School or the Greenville Fine
Arts Center--all those things helped me realize those
dreams, and that’s what I’m doing now.” Click on speaker icon
to hear interview.
Interview (continued)…
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment?
“My greatest accomplishment is actually graduating from Greenville High School
and graduation from college. I have six brothers and three sisters; none
graduated from high school. I have one sister and four brothers; they all
dropped out of school and I’d never had anyone to look up to... because of that
I didn’t take any of the required courses to go to college. But after I saw what
education could do for my future I decided to complete high school.... I have
accomplished a lot of things that are quite amazing for someone from West
Greenville.... I’ve been able to travel the world. Being alive is a tremendous
accomplishment coming from West Greenville and living where I am.”
Who was your greatest mentor or who influenced you the most?
“There are several people. My mother, number one, every thing I did,
everything I accomplished, every goal and dream I tried to set for my future I
did to see her smile.... Mrs. Bennett, my chorus teacher at GHS; Dr. Virginia
Uldrich, the president of the South Carolina Governor’s School of the Arts;
Michael Rice, at Greenville Fine Arts Center; my brother; my chorus director,
Anthony Benet; and my voice teacher, Frederick Moses from the Hart’s school
of music.”
Bibliography
Boykin, Phillip L. "Phillip Boykin
Biography." 2007. 15 May 2008
.
Boykin, Phillip L. Greenville High Wall of
Fame Plaque.
Boykin, Phillip L. Telephone Interview.May
18, 2008.
•Caroline-personal page,
bibliography
•Frances-accomplishments,
pictures, plaque
•Ginny-education, interview
Phillip Boykin’s CD’s are
available for purchase from his
website, www.phillipboykin.com