Today we’d like to introduce you to Alysia Boles.
Hi Alysia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey is a blend of faith, family, music, and service. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, in a Christ-centered home. Music was woven into my life from the very beginning. I come from a rich musical legacy: my grandfather, Charles “Chaz” Boles, was one of the last bebop jazz legends, a master pianist who shaped Detroit’s jazz scene and played with some of the biggest names in music. I am also a cousin of Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller, the legendary jazz pianist, organist, and composer. That lineage of creativity and swing lives in everything I do.
I graduated from the Detroit School of Arts (DSA) in 2010, where I studied Vocal Music. I continued my musical lineage by studying Choral/Vocal Music Education at Florida A&M University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree. I am also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, which has deepened my commitment to scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. I returned home and later completed my master’s degree in Conducting from Eastern Michigan University. I have had the honor of performing with the world-renowned Brazeal Dennard Chorale and even singing at Carnegie Hall in the summer of 2024, an unforgettable milestone.
Today, I serve as the Choral and Praise Band Director at a private school in Oakland County. I teach multiple choirs, lead Praise Band, and strive to teach students not just how to sing, but how to express themselves, worship deeply, and understand the power of music as ministry.
I am also a mother, which is one of the greatest roles of my life. My son, Aadyn (10), is my motivation, my joy, and the reason I push forward in everything I do. He inspires me to keep growing both as an educator and as a woman of faith.
Creativity has always been a part of me, which led to Boles Customs, my custom merchandise brand. What started as making shirts and tumblers for fun has grown into a business that allows me to design meaningful pieces for families, organizations, and events all over Michigan.
Another part of my heart is Duckie Cares, a nonprofit initiative I founded in honor of my grandmother, Dorthy “Duckie” Boles. She represented love, generosity, and service. Through Duckie Cares, I have hosted backpack giveaways in her honor and I am continuing to grow the vision to uplift families with compassion and dignity, just like she did.
Alongside all of this, I am in my third year of my Doctor of Musical Arts program at Boston University and have a background study in African American spirituals. My goal is to continue honoring the cultural, historical, and spiritual depth of the music I sing, teach, and share with others.
My path has been blessed, busy, and beautifully purposeful. Every chapter of my life, including motherhood, music, education, entrepreneurship, and community service, reflects who I am: a woman called to serve, create, teach, and uplift with excellence and heart.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. My journey has been blessed, but it definitely hasn’t been smooth. Like most people, I’ve had to grow through challenges that shaped who I am today.
Balancing motherhood, teaching full-time, running two businesses, serving in my community, and pursuing a doctorate has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. There have been seasons when I was exhausted, seasons when I questioned myself, and seasons where I had to keep going even when I felt like I didn’t have much left to give. But through all of it, God has carried me.
My son, Aadyn, has been my motivation every step of the way. I want him to see that you can chase your dreams with integrity, hard work, and faith, even when the road gets rough.
In my career, I’ve also had to navigate environments that didn’t always understand the importance of music in our schools. I’ve had moments where I felt overlooked or underestimated. Those experiences didn’t break me; they strengthened my voice and sharpened my purpose.
Losing loved ones, especially my grandmother “Duckie” and my grandfather Charles “Chaz” Boles, has also been difficult. Their impact on my life is huge, and learning to operate without them physically here has been an emotional journey. But their legacy fuels my work through Duckie Cares, through my musical calling, and through everything I pour into my students.
I often say, “Let all your life be music,” and I’ve had to live that, finding harmony in the chaos, purpose in the dissonance, and beauty in every season.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But every challenge has prepared me for the next level. I’ve learned resilience, patience, and how to trust God’s timing. I am grateful for the journey because it has made me stronger, more empathetic, and more grounded in my purpose.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At my core, I am a musician, educator, mentor, and creative. I currently serve as the Choral and Praise Band Director at a private school in Oakland County, where I teach 6th–12th grade choir and lead our high school Praise Band. My work goes far beyond teaching notes. I specialize in developing strong vocal technique, building confident performers, and helping young people understand the heart behind the music. I am known for connecting musical excellence with ministry, purpose, and identity, and for creating a space where students feel seen, encouraged, and challenged.
I am also deeply involved in the creative and entrepreneurial world. Through Boles Customs, I design custom shirts, tumblers, apparel, and keepsakes for families, organizations, and events. People often tell me I have an eye for detail; everything I make is personal, intentional, and crafted with love. For me, it is not just merchandise, it is memory work.
Duckie Cares carries the heart of my grandmother, “Duckie.” So far, I have put on two backpack drives in her honor, providing students with book bags and supplies as they start the school year. It may be a small beginning, but it means a lot to me. My vision is to continue growing Duckie Cares so that I can serve even more children and families in Detroit with compassion and dignity. It is community work, but it is also legacy work, and I am incredibly proud of it.
What truly sets me apart is the way all of these pieces fit together: faith, music, education, creativity, service, and motherhood. I am not just teaching a choir class; I am building community, lifting students up, and passing down a musical legacy that started long before me. I am showing my son that purpose and passion can walk hand in hand. What I am most proud of is the impact: watching students who came in shy or unsure find their voice, watching community members feel supported, and watching my son see me walking in my calling. That means more to me than any title or award.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is this: start where you are, use what you have, and trust that God will guide your steps. You don’t have to have everything figured out at the beginning. You must be willing to begin.
When I first started teaching, creating, serving, and building my businesses, I thought I needed the perfect plan. But what I learned is that growth happens through consistency, humility, and being willing to learn along the way.
Here are a few things I wish I knew earlier:
1. Your journey is your own.
Don’t compare your start to someone else’s middle. Everyone’s timeline is different. Focus on becoming the best version of you.
2. Excellence takes time.
Whether in music, business, ministry, or any creative field, give yourself grace to grow. Every rehearsal, every design, every moment of trial and error teaches you something valuable.
3. Stay teachable.
Even now, in my third year of my doctoral program, I’m still learning every day. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and push you higher.
4. Protect your purpose.
Not everyone will understand your calling, and that’s okay. Keep your vision in front of you, stay prayerful, and stay grounded in why you started.
5. Serve with heart.
Whether I’m directing a choir, designing something for Boles Customs, or working through Duckie Cares, I lead with compassion. When your work comes from a place of love, it reaches people in ways you can’t even imagine.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alysia.Boles and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084792053444
