Phyllis studied dance under Martha Graham and working with Erika Thimey, Ethyl Butler, Pola Nirenska, and Donald McKayle. She found inspiration for her choreography in the art works of Kathe Kollwitz and Paul Klee and strongly believed that dance should "say something" meaningful to both dancers and their audience. Phyllis later expressed her dynamic spirit through liturgical dance as artistic director of the DC-based group Five Dancing.