When we examine the young life that Phillip Solomon Stewart has already lived, we can easily say that his steps are ordered by the Lord. In fact, we can say that his dreams and prayers are being answered in a timely manner. Through trials and tribulations, barricades and bending roads, Stewart constantly finds himself enduring the test of time. He admits that the best is yet to come. During his 8th grade year, he had a dream where he was performing at Dolphin Stadium in the NFL Super Bowl. 12 plus years later, he not only found himself performing in a Super Bowl, but performed in two Super Bowls. In 2005-2006, Phillip had an opportunity to perform in the pre-game show of the Jacksonville Super Bowl. At that point, he thought his dreams had come to past. Until in 2006-2007 he got the bid to perform in the Miami Super Bowl at Dolphin Stadium. This performance was thee actual dream from the 8th grade; performing with the artist formerly known as Prince in the Super Bowl halftime show; a place where all performers and musicians find it a privilege to be a part of.
Descending from Jamaica, on October 2, 1982, Miami, Florida was given this God fearing, hardworking, resilient, loyal and talented son. He was the second child to, the now, Rozetta Oquendo. He and his older brother Xavier Stewart had given Rozetta two men to run the house until she met her husband Luis Oquendo. The household changed 16 years later with the addition of two sisters, Chelsea and Cassidy Oquendo. Though, the marriage between Luis and Rozetta gave both Xavier and Phillip a stronger family structure, stability and discipline; it did not protect them from the rough streets and crime in Miami. Phillip and his brother were still finding themselves as the young men of the house while falling victim to gun point altercations. He admits that Luis was a great father but the marriage was not a great example as Luis would leave the house sometimes weeks, months and years at a time. Xavier and the kid they call King, were on their own.
Although the world around him was in chaos since his early school years at Hibiscus Elementary, King was immediately put into advanced math classes. He excelled both inside and outside the classroom. He won the D.A.R.E. essay contest, played football until the 8th grade, participated in track, basketball, the chess club and the band. However, his passion and God’s guidance led him down the route of music. Introduced to him while in 6th grade by his brother who played the trumpet, Phillip was faced with a decision to make. He was being pulled in two ways; sports or music? The director asked him to learn and tryout for the drum major position as a freshman in high school. He not only made it, he scored a perfect score during the tryout and interview process. He was the first freshman to hold that position. He was then trained by a former Florida A&M University Drum Major and knew that his dreams pointed in that same direction. In 2001, Phillip Solomon Stewart graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School. Before enrolling at Florida A&M University on a music scholarship, he turned down offers to attend University of Miami as well as Bethune Cookman. Amazingly, the Oboe instrument that he taught himself by picking up a book was opening more doors and changing his life.
Stewart served as Assistant Head Drum Major of the world famous FAMU Marching 100 Band. He also performed as a FAMU Striker; a dance group that performed all around the USA. Phillip graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2005 as well as a Master degree in Educational Leadership in 2007 from FAMU. Mr. Stewart was a former elementary school teacher; however, currently he is employed as an educator in the TCC Talent Search Program, while being a football coach, basketball coach, saxophonist, producer, song writer and artist. He has two sons, Phillip Solomon Stewart, II and Miles King Stewart. He has been a musician at Bethel AME Church for seven plus years. He has independently released two gospel cover albums (Stand & I Need You Now) and two original albums (Crusin’ On The Job & PreGame) and is currently in preparation of his 5th album. Phillip is a Platinum Recording Saxophonist with his contribution to Ludacris album, Release Therapy. This member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, next dream and prayers revolve around becoming an international performer.
To be successful.... Music Artist, Saxophonist, Educator, Doctorate Degree, Coaching; uplifting, inspiring and influencing many to be better and succeed also!
High School: Miami Norland Senior High in Miami, FL
class of 2001
Activities & Accomplishments:
Viking Band - Drum Major, Chess club starter, Homecoming Court 12th grade, Junior Prince, Mr. maroon and gray 9th grade and a bunch of band/music awards.....
Best Memories:
Too many! - between the band and times with high school sweetheart!
Program Specialist|
TCC - Talent Search TRIO Program
From October 2011 to Current • 15 year(s)
Working as a program specialist in the Talent Search TRIO Program
Administrative Assistant|
Florida DOH - Minority Health
From January 2011 to August 2011 • 0 year(s)
Administrative support for Florida Department of Health Minority Health division
Teacher (4th Grade)|
Oakridge Elementary School
From May 2009 to June 2010 • 1 year(s)
Elementary education teaching 4th grade students
Teacher (5th & 3rd Grade)|
Sabal Palm Elementary School
From May 2007 to June 2009 • 2 year(s)
Elementary education teaching 5th and 3rd grade students
Graduate Assistant|
FAMU Office of Graduate Studies
From January 2006 to August 2007 • 1 year(s)
Graduate assistant support for FAMU Office of Graduate Studies
Substitute Teacher|
Leon County Public Schools
From November 2003 to May 2007 • 4 year(s)
Substitute teaching across Leon County schools
Intern Ed. Administration|
James S. Rickards High School
From January 2007 to March 2007 • 0 year(s)
Educational administration internship
Intern 5th Grade Teacher|
Buck Lake Elementary
From August 2005 to December 2005 • 0 year(s)
Student teaching internship for 5th grade
Work-Study Student|
FAMU Educational Leadership Office
From November 2003 to December 2004 • 1 year(s)
Work-study position in Educational Leadership Office
“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Tagged by
Ralph White on 10/14/2014
Hey Mister, how ya been? Its been a min...since keyboarding 101, lol
Tagged by
Carmencita C. Greeen on 03/02/2009
