Paul Bryan

Paul Bryan leads a distinguished career as educator, performer, and administrator. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music (’93) and Temple University where he studied trombone with Glenn Dodson and Eric Carlson and conducting with David Hayes, Arthur Chodoroff, and Lawrence Wagner.

Active as both conductor and teacher, Mr. Bryan currently serves as director and conductor of Bravo Brass—the PYO Music Institute brass ensemble, director of orchestral studies at West Chester University’s Wells School of Music, director of the University of Pennsylvania Wind Ensemble, and music director of the Symphony in C Summer Camp. He teaches courses on leadership, supplementary conducting, and pedagogy at Curtis and is a former faculty member at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance.

Previous positions have included conductor of the Drexel University Orchestra, conductor of the Philadelphia All-City High School Concert Band, and appearances with the ensembles of the New York Summer Music Festival, Play On Philly, and numerous honor groups in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Mr. Bryan has served as an administrator at the Curtis Institute of Music since 1993. As dean from 2013 to 2022, he provided leadership for all elements of the educational experience—academic departments, admissions, student services, financial assistance, and the library—and helped to expand the already exceptional faculty roster.

During his tenure as dean, Mr. Bryan prioritized providing a rewarding and balanced experience for each student. Following the completion of a three-year curricular renewal process for the liberal arts and musical studies departments, Mr. Bryan initiated and provided oversight for the creation of a career studies department and curriculum giving undergraduate students the opportunity to develop career skills through meaningful work in the Philadelphia community. Curtis’ health and wellness programs increased significantly under Mr. Bryan’s leadership including expansion of the school’s mental health resources and new partnerships in the areas of musician injury prevention and recovery, fitness and nutrition, and community offerings.