Paul was educated at Chetham's before winning an entrance scholarship at seventeen to study at the RNCM. He subsequently worked as a session singer at the BBC and with various professional ensembles and opera companies at theatres at home and abroad which included five years of full time employment at Scottish Opera. Paul has performed at some of Europe's most prestigious concert venues including Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Teater an der Wien in Vienna and he toured Europe with The Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields. He has performed on countless live radio broadcasts on BBC Radio 4's Daily Service programme, choral evensong and live opera broadcasts on BBC Radio 3.
Paul is a Certified Teacher of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and was awarded the status with the highest classification of 'Excellent'. He graduated with a first class honours degree in Music and has diplomas in pipe organ and piano performance, piano teaching, singing and written diplomas in music theory and composition. Paul was awarded the Licentiate Diploma of the Royal Schools of Music in Vocal Teaching with Distinction and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Voice Pedagogy. He is an Estill practitioner (having passed the Estill Figure Proficiency exam) and is permitted to use Estilll Voice Teaching in the studio. Paul is always in demand as a private vocal tutor for singing, speaking, vocal rehabilitation, postmenopausal support and currently has students studying at most of the Uk's most prestigious institutions. Currently, Paul works as a practical tutor and ensemble coach at Cardiff University School of Music where he teaches classical singing, jazz, popular music and music theatre on the BA/BMus and MA courses. He also directs several vocal ensembles and works as a tutor for Gwent Music in piano, voice, theory and music theatre.
As a pianist, Paul has accompanied singers, instrumentalists and choirs at hundreds of concerts, public recitals and examinations at venues in the UK and abroad including Prague, Paris, Barcelona, New York and Los Angeles. He is a qualified piano teacher and passed the DipABRSM in Piano Teaching and also in Piano Performance. Current students range from beginner to diploma standard.
Paul established Concerts for Good Causes Ltd in April 2024 to help local organisations raise money for their activities, charities or other worthy projects in South Wales. He is in the process of setting up a charity which will exist to fund aspiring young musicians who are unable to access the opportunities that they deserve due to financial hardship.
In 2010 Paul succeeded Martin Hodson MBE as Musical Director of the Gwent Chorale conducted his inaugural concert with the choir and the Welsh Sinfonia in May 2011.
Paul is married to Welsh soprano Jill Padfield. The couple have one child together and live near Blackwood in South Wales. His interests, in the little free time he has, include spending time with his family, keeping fit and playing the piano.
Paul is extremely grateful to Meryl for her tolerance. strong musical and moral support, Martin Hodson for organising him all year round behind the scenes, the committee and the choristers for their patience, resilience, unerring commitment and good humour.
Meryl was born in the local area and began piano lessons at a young age. She attended local schools and developed her love of music at Newbridge Grammar School where her love of accompanying was nurtured.
Upon leaving school she studied music at Newton Park College, Bath and graduated from Bristol University. She then took up her first teaching post at St. Julian's High School, Newport.
After having a number of years looking after her two young children, she returned to teaching and spent the rest of her teaching career at Ty-Sign Primary School in Risca where she became Music Coordinator.
Meryl developed a very successful school choir also forming a great bond with Risca Male Choir. The children were given the opportunity to sing at prestigious venues and thousands of children were introduced to choral singing.
Now retired, Meryl is still heavily involved in local music making. She joined the choir in Crosskeys in 1993 and became the rehearsal accompanist soon after.
In 2015, Meryl became one of the first BBC Music Day Unsung Heroes for music in the community. She now wonders how she ever found the time to go to school!!