Boatner was educated at Western University in Quindaro, Kansas, Boston Conservatory and received a Bachelor of Music from the Chicago Music College (Now the College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University).
He began as a Concert singer with the encouragement and assistance of Roland Hayes — who performed many of Boatner's works on his concert programs—and choral director R. Nathaniel Dett.
He also sang leading roles with the National Negro Opera Company.
For the National Baptist Convention, he served as the director of music from 1925 to 1931.
He then settled in New York conducting a studio and directed community and church choirs.