We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mr. Phil O’Neal. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Phil, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel that God is calling me to use my voice in a new way—not only to sing, but also to speak His Word. For years, my ministry has centered around music: directing choirs, leading worship, and shaping sound. But recently, I’ve felt a deeper pull to share His Word through speaking and teaching. As a child, I was always comfortable speaking in front of others, but as I became more immersed in the musical side of ministry, that part of me grew quiet. Now, I sense God reminding me that He never took that gift away—He’s simply calling me to use it again.
That call has returned. Recently, I had the privilege of giving a talk as Head of Music during the Houston North Emmaus Community Fall Men’s Walk, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had in ministry. It reminded me that God doesn’t waste gifts—He just waits for us to use them again in His timing.
Now, as I pursue certification as a Certified Lay Minister in the Trinity Conference of the Global Methodist Church, I’m embracing that next step of obedience. I’m learning to let God use both my voice and my music to reach people in new ways I once hesitated to step into.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Phil O’Neal—a music educator, conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and worship leader with a deep passion for using music to inspire excellence and build community. Now in my 21st year of teaching, I serve as the Head Choral Director at Woodcreek Middle School in Humble ISD, where I’ve had the privilege of leading a thriving, award-winning choral program for the past nine years.
Beyond the classroom, I serve as the Contemporary Worship Leader at Atascocita Methodist Church and Minister of Music at Christ Community Worship Center in Houston. I’ve been active in music ministry since 1998, blending my love for worship and musicianship to help others connect spiritually through song. Whether in a classroom, sanctuary, or concert hall, my purpose is the same—to help people experience the power of music to unite, heal, and transform.
Outside of education and ministry, I continue to live out my passion for performance—both as a solo artist and as a member of the internationally recognized Bayou City Brass Band. Performing allows me to connect with audiences beyond the classroom or church walls, sharing joy and excellence through music. I also serve as organist for the Spirit Wind Band, a ministry ensemble based at The Woodlands Methodist Church, where we share the message of Christ through dynamic, spirit-filled performances that uplift hearts and inspire faith.
Through my company, Maestro Music Group, I continue to mentor, arrange, and lead in both educational and worship settings. At the heart of it all, I see my work as ministry—using music not just to teach notes and rhythms, but to shape lives, strengthen faith, and lift hearts toward something greater.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the most about work. My father, Philip J. O’Neal, Sr., showed me what it means to work hard and provide for your family. He spent long hours as a longshoreman and mechanic, and because of his dedication, we never went without. Even into adulthood, he has remained my safety net—bailing me out of trouble more times than I can count—and reminding me that love and support are part of the foundation of hard work, too. His example taught me perseverance, responsibility, and pride in doing things the right way.
My mother, Jeanette McGarthy, was a career educator, and from her I learned the importance of working with both excellence and empathy. She also taught me that as a man of color, excellence is an expectation, not an option, and that I should always strive to be the best version of myself. She modeled balance, discipline, and grace, showing me that success is not just about achievement, but about integrity and presence.
Together, my parents shaped my work ethic and instilled in me a lifelong respect for dedication, service, and purpose.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—when I became a piano major at Prairie View A&M University back in 1996. I had officially started learning to play piano by ear in December of 1992, and through daily, consistent practice, I developed enough skill to be accepted as a piano major. But making the jump from playing by ear to performing classical repertoire and reading complex piano literature was a huge challenge. There were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed and questioned whether I could make it.
Still, I refused to quit. I kept practicing, kept studying, and leaned on faith and determination. In May of 2001, I graduated with my degree in piano—and my senior piano recital remains one of my proudest achievements. That experience taught me that perseverance transforms potential into purpose.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, it absolutely is. I’ve always considered myself an open book when it comes to my personality, energy, and how I connect with people. What you see publicly—whether I’m directing a choir, leading worship, or performing—is genuinely who I am. I love to encourage, laugh, and build people up.
That said, I’m also a private person. I value my peace and don’t believe everyone needs access to every part of my life. Experience has taught me that you can’t trust everyone, so I choose to keep my deeper thoughts and personal matters within a close circle of family and trusted friends. It’s a balance between being authentic and protecting what’s sacred.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand the desire to be famous and to succeed as a recording artist. When I first became a musician, my dream was to be part of the music industry full-time. Performing has always been my greatest passion—whether I’m singing solo, playing piano, keyboard, or organ, or accompanying others. My first R&B group, GQ Sound, won the 1991 Sammy Davis Jr. Award, which gave us our first real taste of success, but the group disbanded a year later.
I went on to join another R&B group, Adagio, which was originally managed by Mathew Knowles—yes, Beyoncé’s father—before we eventually left his management and signed with Jam Down Records. We were six songs into recording our debut album when internal differences caused the group to break up. Looking back, I can now see that even in my disappointment, God was protecting me—sparing me from some of the hidden pitfalls and moral compromises that often come with the music industry. What felt like a detour was really divine redirection.
After that, I shifted my focus to music education—partly because I discovered I had a natural gift for it, and partly because it allowed me to continue making music with purpose and stability. I remember watching Mr. Holland’s Opus in the 1990s and feeling frustrated that the main character never became a famous composer. But as I matured, I realized that he accomplished something far greater by shaping lives through teaching.
Now, I view my own journey in the same light. I may not have become a chart-topping artist, but I’ve helped countless students find their voices, build confidence, and discover their purpose. That, to me, is a legacy far more meaningful—and one I’m deeply grateful for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philoneal1906?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philonealmusic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/blackorpheus06
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/PhilOnealMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilONealMusic
Image Credits
Steve Brack Photography for the headshot (IMG 1807)
