Paul enjoyed a happy Australian childhood free of music lessons. At the age of 17 he taught himself saxophone, in the belief that it was a clarinet.
As an alternative to conscription in 1965, he committed to a three year term in the army and proceeded to defend his country with both clarinet and saxophone from his
post in Sydney's picturesque Paddington Barracks.
At 23 he took up flute and bassoon and at 28 played in the Sydney Opera House's initial Symphonic, Opera and Ballet performances.
He joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on the bassoon in 1976 and upon retiring in 2000, has devoted himself to teaching, writing, performing and examining, Around this time he acquired the Licentiate Diploma of Trinity College London on 5 instruments - flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone and bassoon.
Paul married Margaret Dickson, then a violinist colleague in the MSO, in 1979 and they had two children, Adelaide and Dominic, who have been involved in hundreds of performances for families. These were done as The Elastic Band (children's shows) and Trio Grande (cabaret and chamber).
These popular shows came to an end when Adelaide (who had become the singing, dancing star of the show) went to Paris for a 3-year Moulin Rouge contract. Deprived of this outlet, Paul took up the pen to write Ouija Night (Spirit Experiences), My Two Years with God (monastic life), Antonia's Journey (Historical Romance), Coan the Cooper (the story of Paul's Great Grandfather) and now, with imagination unfettered, My Immortal Soul (Science Fiction.)
Paul lost his beloved life partner, Margaret Dickson, in 2016 after an 18 month illness, but continues his entertaining work as Serenadio, with son Dominic playing guitars and old friend of 50 years, Brian Fitzgerald. Adelaide has also been a popular guest artist.
Margaret was thrilled in her final week of life to learn that her successor would be Brian, a singer, woodwind player and arranger, hence not a woman or a violinist. Paul counts himself a fortunate man to have had such a wonderful partner for thirty seven years.
Paul intends to keep doing all this and more, until it is all out of his system.