Paul Byssainthe, Jr.
Biography
Paul Byssainthe, Jr. is an accomplished, award-winning organist, pianist, music director, and composer. A native of Long Island, NY, he has served as Minister of Music and Organist at various congregations. Most recently, he served as Director of Music at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, MD, and as Interim Minister of Music at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, MD. Paul is a graduate of Andrews University, where he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and the Master of Music Degree in Orchestral Conducting, studying with Kenneth Logan in Organ, and Claudio Gonzalez and Stephen Zork in Conducting. In May 2019, Paul received the Graduate Performance Diploma in Organ Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, studying with John Walker, Jeremy Filsell, and Daniel Aune. He is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance at Peabody.
An active performer, Paul has performed solo concerts at various venues across the east coast. He enjoys regular collaborations with The Washington Chorus for their annual Candlelight Christmas Concerts along with other performances at the Kennedy Center and Strathmore Hall, in addition to featured performances as part of the Washington Bach Consort’s Noontime Cantata Series. Paul has been a Quarterfinalist in the St. Albans International Organ Competition and was also a 2018 Finalist in the American Guild of Organists’ National Young Artist Competition in Organ Performance. He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and presently serves as the Dean of the DC Chapter.
Currently, Paul serves as Music Director and Conductor for the Broadway revival of The WIZ, having recently completed successful runs as Associate Music Director for the premiere of Hercules at Paper Mill Playhouse and as Associate Music Director/Conductor for the world premiere of American Prophet at Arena Stage in Washington, DC in Summer of 2022. For his work on American Prophet, he received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Music Direction.