BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

Paul Konye was born in Lagos Nigeria, he is a musicologist, conductor, composer, and violinist. His musical education spans three continents; Africa, Europe, and North America. In Nigeria, he collaborated, studied both formally and privately with many of Nigeria’s foremost icons and composers of African art music such as,  Kayode Oni, Samuel Akpabot, Akin Euba, Adam Fiberesima, and Lazarus Ekwueme. Paul Konye was also musically associated with many musical organizations and institutions such as The International School Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan, The University of Ibadan, The University of Ife, The University of Nigeria, and The University of Lagos. Of the many musical organizations that Dr. Konye was musically associated with before leaving Nigeria were, the then Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, and the Musical Society of Nigeria. His association with these composers, institutions, and organizations granted him a first-hand insight and interest in modern African art music.

While abroad, Paul Konye continued his musical studies both formally and privately with many teachers at different musical institutions. These institutions include, The Guildhall School of Music London, The City College of New York, and The University of Maine. Dr. Konye studied chamber music with Gillian Rogell at the New England Conservatory of Music, violin with Yoko Takebe and Anatole Wieck, conducting with William Larue Jones of the University of Iowa and Vincent LaSelva of The Juilliard School.  He studied composition with Joe Baber  at The University of Kentucky from where he also obtained his doctorate in musicology.

As a scholar, Dr. Konye makes no distinction between Western and African musicology. It is Dr. Konye’s belief that musicology as an academic discipline should transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, but delineated by genre—art/folk/traditional/popular, etc. Thus, his works as a scholar and composer cross geographical and cultural boundaries as a reflection of his position. His works are mostly geared toward highlighting the essence of African art music—a genre of African music that has thus far remained obscure in terms of scholarly awareness.

Paul Konye is the founder and conductor of the Clifton Park Community Orchestra, Siena Chamber Orchestra, and the Muson Symphony Orchestra. He is also a violinist with the Clifton Park Community String Quartet and the Siena Community String Quartet.