Phyllis Kinney: key obituary facts
Is Phyllis Kinney dead? Yes. Phyllis Kinney died on June 29, 2026, at age 103.
Cause of death: Phyllis Kinney's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Phyllis Kinney known for?
She was an American classical and folk singer who made her home in Wales (1922-2026).
More about Phyllis Kinney
Born: 4 July 1922.
Place of birth: Pontiac.
Gender: female.
Occupation: singer, musicologist.
Nationality: United States.
Spouse: Meredydd Evans.
Phyllis Kinney, an American-born Welsh singer, musicologist and author, died on June 29, 2026, at the age of 103.
Born in Pontiac, Michigan, on July 4, 1922, she studied at the Juilliard School and later sang soprano with the Carl Rosa Opera Company in the 1940s. A meeting with the Welsh folk musician Meredydd Evans in Bangor led her to Wales, where she made her home and became deeply involved in the country’s musical life.
Kinney went on to learn Welsh and became a leading authority on Welsh folk music through her performances, research and writing.