PAUL HALE (violoncello) has been performing with period instruments in the Bay Area since the late 1970's. He studied with many teachers, including Irene Sharp, and primarily Margaret Rowell at U.C. Berkeley, where he was awarded the Eizner Prize for performing artists, and soloed with the U.C. Symphony. He also studied at Tanglewood, and Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara, and has played in many master classes by Anner Bylsma, Paul Tortelier, and Gabor Reijto. He was a cello instructor for a few years at U.C. Berkeley, then at U.C. Santa Cruz, and currently teaches privately. Paul is a member of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Opera San Jose, California Symphony, and Oakland Symphony. He also freelances with many groups in California. Paul has performed and recorded a wide range of music including contemporary classical music, baroque concertos and solo cantatas, and he's played on most of the recordings by Philharmonia Baroque. He has worked with many contemporary composers, and played with the period instrument ensemble American Baroque in their recording of new music The Shock of the Old, chosen by Chamber Music America as one of the top six recordings of 2002.