Warfield, William

Opera singer and educator William Caesar Warfield was born on January 22, 1920 in West Helena, Arkansas to Robert and Bertha McCamery Warfield. Warfield first developed vocal skills by singing in the choir of his father's Baptist church. During his childhood, the Warfield family moved to Rochester, New York, where he took formal voice lessons. In 1938, during his senior year at Washington High School, Warfield won the District Award for the National Music Educators' League vocal competition, which included a scholarship to a music school. Warfield went on to attend the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where he received his B.A. degree in music studies in 1942.

After a brief period of service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Warfield returned to New York and earned a part in the Broadway showCall Me Mister. He then was cast in two other productions, 1948'sSet My People Freeand 1950'sRegina. In 1950, Warfield was also cast in the film adaptation ofShow Boatand made his New York City Town Hall debut.

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