Entrepreneur/Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist
Kay V. Boyd - educator, singer, concert and recording artist - founded KaVal Designs in 1999. "KaVal Designs was born out of my desire to develop a business that would serve as a testimony to my faith, and to others who wish to proclaim their faith on custom-printed apparel, gifts and promotional items."
"Anointed, angelic, uniquely different, gospel and inspirational singer extraordinaire" - these are but a few of the superlatives that have been used to describe the multi-faceted vocal talents of Kay V. Boyd, an internationally renowned, award-winning concert and recording artist. Her vast repertoire and “God” given talent has created a consistent demand for her services by countless numbers of churches and civic organizations. Ms. Boyd’s musical career started out on an entirely different note from that which she is on today. Initially, Kay aspired to be an opera singer. Later, she developed an interest in the field of jazz and subsequently became an acclaimed jazz vocalist. Her debut album, appropriately entitled FIRST SLICE, was released by Spotlight Records in London, England. Kay ultimately left the jazz arena and professed a personal commitment to sing the Gospel as a testimony to the bountiful blessings she has received from God. Today, Kay’s music ministry is a glorious attestation of her Christian faith – “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
She has been blessed to sing before local and nationally known theologians, politicians, dignitaries and corporate leaders. Some noted national and international credits include concerts and performances at Convent Ave. Baptist Church and St. John The Divine in NYC; the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, Stamford, CT; The Crown Ballroom, Paradise Island, the Bahamas; and The Island Center for the Performing Arts, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. In July 2003, Kay and her ensemble, Acts of Faith, were invited by the Ghanaian Government and the Panafest Foundation to be featured artists at the Panafest International Music Festival. Their triumphant 3-week tour of Ghana included concert performances at major churches and venues in Accra, Kumasi, Elmina, the historical Cape Coast Castle and Adisadel College. During the summer of 2007, Kay was blessed to return to Africa where she had two successful engagements in Harare, Zimbabwe. Ms. Boyd has won several national awards for her songwriting talents. Her first songwriting effort, If I Have To Go Through Hell, garnered her an award in the Nashville Music Song Festival, placing in the top 10 percent of the Gospel Contemporary Christian Category.
Her theatrical productions include a one-woman musical dramatization, which she wrote, entitled From Slavery to Freedom and performances in The Great Black Way, The Emelin Theater, Mamaroneck, NY and The Open Cage Theater, Mount Vernon, NY. On June 16, 2001, she received the Musicianship Award from the Hi C’s of Westchester Inc., of the National Association of Negro Musicians Inc., for outstanding contributions as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, producer and entrepreneur. On November 11, 2001, she received the Distinguished Citizen’s Award from the Office of the County Executive, Westchester County for her contributions and professionalism in the field of music. In 2008, she was the recipient of the Rockefeller Music and Arts Award and presented at the White Plains Public Library (2/23) in a musical dramatization (written and performed by Ms. Boyd) entitled, "A Journey of Faith and Celebration."
Kay is a member of St. Luke’s U.M. Church in New Rochelle where she is a soloist, Lay Speaker, Superintendent of the Sunday School and President of the United Methodist Women. Ms. Boyd holds a B.A. in Music and Psychology from Manhattanville College and a M.S. degree in Education from the C.U.N.Y. She is an instructor of Adult Basic Education (GED) for Yonkers as well as for BOCES Southern Westchester. Her exceptional artistry is deeply rooted in her faith and love of sacred music – especially that which is born out of the African American experience. Kay’s daily work and musical ministry exemplifies her credo: “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain."
Kay has performed in a variety of venues but is specifically seeking to expand her music ministry nationally as well as internationally. Ms. Boyd is available for engagements at churches, concert halls, festivals, conferences, revivals, etc.