Jeffrey Paul

Jeffrey Paul is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Music at the University of South Dakota, specializing in oboe performance and composition. As principal oboist with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO), he contributes to orchestral, jazz, and folk music projects. His career spans performance, teaching, and creative collaborations with Native Lakota/Dakota musicians and international artists.

• Education: Eastman School of Music (BM with Performer's Certificate, 1999), University of Southern California (MM in Oboe Performance, 2003)

Research & Creative Work includes ethnic folk music integration into orchestral compositions, jazz-rock improvisation, and conducting youth orchestras. His collaborations with Bryan Akipa (Dakota Cedar Flute player) and Simon Shaheen (Lebanese oud player) highlight cross-cultural initiatives. Recent projects featured premieres like the orchestral suite Mostly Slow Music and the tone poem Mni Wiconi with Brazilian pianist Alessandra Feris.

Scientific Awards include the Ford Musician's Award (2016) for cultural collaborations, and multiple composition awards from South Dakota and California music associations.

Active as a conductor, he leads the SDSO Philharmonia youth orchestra and guest-conducted the SDSO Chamber Orchestra. As a multi-instrumentalist, he performs piano with the JAS Quintet, saxophone with big bands, and Irish whistles with the Celtic band Maggie in the Meantime.