Stephen Paulson

Stephen Paulson is a faculty member at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), specializing in bassoon instruction and woodwind chamber music. He holds a Bachelor of Music (BM) from the Eastman School of Music and maintains an active role in professional ensembles, including the San Francisco Symphony as Principal Bassoon.

• Education: BM, Eastman School of Music

Paulson’s research and teaching interests focus on bassoon performance and woodwind chamber music, emphasizing technical mastery and musical communication. His career has been deeply influenced by collaborations with the woodwind section of the San Francisco Symphony, and he has recorded with them on SFS Media and London/Decca labels.

Personal highlights include his passion for cooking and hiking, a defining moment inspired by Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, and his advocacy for integrating technique with expressive musical interpretation.