Paul has had a passion for music since he was a young child. Born in Southeast Louisiana, he grew up listening to his dad’s favorite Cajun music. After taking a serious interest in music he attended the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). There he studied with world renowned clarinetist and educator Alvin Batiste. He studied privately with Adonis Rose and Johnny Vidacovich on drums, and Michael Pellera on piano. Senior year, Paul was the Level III drummer, which at the time was the highest position a student could inhabit. He played in small and large ensembles in addition to gigging in the New Orleans area. Upon graduation Paul decided to continue working and learning in the New Orleans music scene and attend the University of New Orleans (UNO). There he had opportunities to perform with well-known visiting artists. He was the UNO Big Band drummer his freshman year. The drum instructor at the time was Troy Davis, who shared knowledge on world music as well as modern jazz. Professor Ed Petersen took an interest in Paul and started calling him for gigs at Snug Harbor and the Royal Sonesta. This helped Paul become acquainted with the modern jazz community. Since then he has worked with Marlon Jordan, David Torkanowsky, Rick Trolsen, James Singleton, Steve Masakowski, George French, Victor Atkins, Jeff Albert, the Wee Trio, and many groups of young musicians playing progressive jazz. While at UNO, Paul gained a passion for teaching. He started teaching drums privately at NOCCA in 2007. This led to the current position as accompanist for jazz examinations at NOCCA. In 2008 Paul gave a jazz/improvisation clinic at St. Bernard Middle school. Soon after he became the marching drum line instructor, and eventually jazz drumset instructor. In 2009 he taught the jazz drum students at Kipp Believe College Prep. In 2010 he taught jazz and improvisation at New Orleans Jazz Institute (NOJI), general music classes at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC), and private drum lessons at Andy Hymel’s School of Music. Paul joined two touring groups in 2009: Magnetic Ear and Big Rock Candy Mountain. Magnetic Ear is a pocket brass band that has played in Europe and the Northeast. Big Rock Candy Mountain is a well-known rock band in New Orleans that takes their music to the West Coast and Northeast. He recently travelled to Honduras with Sasha Masakowski’s Musical Playground through the US Embassy. Paul has also recorded and played festivals with all three of these groups. He has recently developed a newfound appreciation for traditional jazz and the Cajun music on which he grew up. His senior recital at UNO was a tribute to his heritage and combined his knowledge of harmony and meter with Cajun influences. One of his goals in education is preserving the rich history that New Orleans and the rest of Southeast Louisiana has to offer.