Co- Founder and Director of Tinto Music and Arts CIC
Paul began his work as the driving force behind Rhythmbridge, an educational company which provided rhythm based workshops to schools from 1999-2021, bringing Culturally Specific Rhythms and Artists into these environments. During his time in education Paul developed the highly successful and internationally acclaimed Expressive Rhythm Stories Training.
Paul was blessed to study a variety of drums with many teachers from around the globe, including Lamine Bodian ( Bougarabou, Senegal), Ni Tagoe, Ben Lawrence ( Kpanlogo, Ghana), Iya Sako, Nansady Keita ( Djembe, Guinea), Mohammed Ibna Sin ( Bendir, Darbuka, Morocco), Duddu Tucci, Claudio Kron ( Samba Ensembles, Brazil) and began to teach Rhythms of the World classes in 1996.
He was one of the first people in the UK to train with Arthur Hull of Village Music Circles in Hawaii in 2001/2 and has developed his facilitation skills in a wide variety of setting in the years since. He was Program Director for UK Playshop and lead Trainer alongside Dr Jane Bentley until April 2024 when he parted company with VMC to follow his own rhythmical path.
As a consultant with Wiston Lodge Paul helped to develop a creative arts program and an outdoor Musical Trail as part of the BBC Children in Need Funded ‘Path of the Little People.’
Alongside his rhythmical work Paul writes and takes photographs. You will find his collections of words and pictures at https://pauljohndear.substack.com/
You know that he has only your well-being in mind. Your development, your enjoyment and, on a good day, your transformation. Yes, he’s having a good time and it shows, but only because he’s fulfilling his dream of bringing people together in rhythm. An expert, disciplined musician who hides it all in devotion to humorously creating community. Entertainer and Elder, there are very few people walking on this planet with the quiet magnitude of Paul John Dear. I count myself lucky that I’ve danced with him in that circle and learned from his mastery.
Tom Morley, Instant Teamwork.
A World of Connection 