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Paul Musso is an Associate Professor and Performance Program Director in the Music and Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) department at the University of Colorado Denver's College of Arts & Media. With 34 years of service at CU Denver—including 15 years directing the jazz and commercial guitar program—he remains a cornerstone of the institution's music education framework.
His educational background includes:
- Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Denver
- Bachelor of Science in Music Business from the University of Colorado Denver
Musso's research focuses on jazz guitar performance, music theory, and composition, evidenced by his dual career as an active performer and scholarly author. His expertise spans classical orchestral collaborations (Colorado Symphony, Aspen Music Festival Orchestra) and contemporary jazz settings, with emphasis on fingerstyle techniques and melodic improvisation. This duality informs his pedagogical approach, bridging academic theory with practical performance skills.
His publications reveal a consistent thread of jazz education innovation, particularly in guitar pedagogy and accessible music theory frameworks. The works collectively establish foundational resources for both academic instruction and self-directed learning in jazz guitar performance.
Musso's recognition includes:
- University of Colorado at Denver Faculty Assembly Service Award (2013)
- Non-Tenure Track Faculty of the Year Award (2006)
- Denver's Best Guitarist 2000 (Citysearch.com)
As Performance Program Director, Musso mentors MEIS students through curriculum development and launched the 2022 'LYNX Cast' podcast to amplify student/alumni creative output. His leadership extends to the Denver jazz scene where he performs locally and internationally, maintaining active engagement with both academic and professional music communities.
Musso operates at the intersection of academic instruction and professional performance, regularly contributing to regional music culture through live engagements and educational media while sustaining his role as a primary architect of CU Denver's performance curriculum.
