Paul Dab
Paul Dab is a San Francisco based pianist, teacher, vocal coach, and music director. His acclaimed recital programs feature in-depth commentary and discussion topics about the composers’ lives and artistic trends. Presenters have featured these performances at Center for New Music, Old First Concert Series, and the Shenson Faculty Artist Series at San Francisco Community Music Center.
Equally at home in music of all styles, Paul performs regularly with singers and instrumentalists and collaborates with composers and directors on the creation of new works. His thoughtful musicianship has been a vital part of the workshops and world premiers of operas by Joseph Colombo and Hector Armienta and art song commissions with sopranos Jill Morgan Brenner and Winnie Nieh. His attention to detail and musical versatility have made him a valuable asset in numerous productions with Bay Area opera companies including Lamplighters Music Theater, West Bay Opera, and Pocket Opera.
Paul’s openness to sharing his musical experiences led him to a role as living artwork in a conceptual art exhibit by Jason Lazurus, which featured him practicing Chopin in a gallery at the Contemporary Jewish Museum and engaging with visitors about the nature of practice and learning.
As an educator, Paul believes that music is about passing the traditions and lessons of his teachers onto his students. His musical education began with piano lessons at a young age and vibrant public school music programs and culminated with degrees from Vanderbilt University and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a student, Paul used his knowledge of music history and performance to develop curriculum for community outreach programs with the Nashville Symphony and Cypress String Quartet. Now, Paul is paying forward this education by teaching students at all ages and levels how to appreciate music and to connect musical characteristics with technical aspects of playing.
Beyond the private lesson setting, Paul’s work with the San Francisco Opera Guild brings opera performances to schools around the Bay Area and creates brand new works of music theater through artist residencies in elementary school classrooms. These students learn to use their voices and actions to tell a story and express themselves to their peers. Paul considers himself a lifelong learner. Recent studies in Alexander Technique and masterclasses with collaborative pianist Roger Vignoles are part of his ongoing musical journey.