My Background

After graduating with a music degree from Queen’s University I fell in love with theatre and for many years I composed shows and toured schools with a theatre company called Theatre On the Move. From there I began music directing and accompanying shows for other theatres throughout Ontario.

Fast forward to Stratford when I moved here in 1990 with my wife Barbara Fulton who became a regular and recognizable performer with Stratford Festival company.

I briefly taught in the public school system here and then spent many years as the music teacher at Stratford Montessori School followed by four years at the Stratford Middle Years school.

During my time in Stratford I have composed the music for 5 productions at the Stratford Festival. I continue my close association with the Festival and will be composing the music for All’s Well That Ends Well in 2022 in the new Tom Patterson Theatre.

Teaching Style

My approach to teaching recognizes that most students are not interested in a career as a professional musician but simply want to learn the language of music to create, compose and have fun. However, it can only become fun with practice. I encourage parents to be involved even if music is a foreign language. Setting aside at least 15 or 20 minutes a day can make a tremendous difference in the student’s progress as well as their eagerness to continue. I am, of course, willing to work with students who are interested in developing a more advanced proficiency.

I write my own music and love working with any student who wishes to compose music or write their own songs.

I am familiar with many styles of music and continue to play in Jazz and Pop groups. I will teach classical piano up to grade 6.

Contact:

• email: parkvilla36@gmail.com
• phone: (519) 949-8077
• Facebook: @parkvillamusicstudio
• website: www.paulshilton.com (in progress…to be up by Sept. 1st)