By
Angela Orlando
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Stephen Paul known for his hands-on, 'cutting edge' method of teaching
University of Arizona associate music professor Stephen J. Paul died April 14 of a heart attack in Lancaster, Penn. He was 48.
He is remembered by students and faculty as a kind and gentle man. He leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter and a fiancˇe he was to marry in May.
"Steve was only here for two years, but he established himself in distinct ways in the music department," said Rob Cutietta, director of the UA School of Music and Dance.
"He was extremely dedicated to teaching - he had parties for his students at his home all the time," he added. "And he was dedicated to curriculum design. When he came to (UA) he took the department's undergrad curriculum, threw it out the window and replaced it with his own. It was unbelievable."
Because Paul exercised daily and was an avid golfer, his death was unexpected.
"He was in good health. His death was a big surprise," said Cutietta. "Nothing I can remember has tipped the scales of the music department quite like this. He was such an excellent, dynamite teacher."
The curriculum Paul employed for prospective music teachers consisted of hands-on, reflective methods which the department plans to continue using.
Music professor Don Hamann was Paul's friend and colleague.
"We both started here (UA) at the same time," Hamann said. Paul had most recently taught at the University of Oklahoma, and chaired its music education department.
"We connected immediately by sharing moving stories," Hamann said. "Steve was a very warm, social person. I looked at him with envy. At the drop of a hat, he would open his home to anyone."
Music graduate student Lisa Ternes team-taught with Paul, who she said was her mentor, adviser and friend.
"His death has been a great loss," she said. "There's been a loss of direction for his students. His door was always open to them, and he was a great model for what a teacher should be."
She found Paul's method of teaching "cutting-edge" and "inspirational."
Assistant music professor Kelland Thomas, who teaches saxophone, also admired Paul's teaching abilities.
"All the students thought he was looking out for their best interests," Thomas said. "He could sit down with them for less than an hour and assess their paths. I think it's a testament to his character that even though he was here for a short time - he touched so many lives."
Though he was a part of the Tucson community for only two years, Paul's impact was far-reaching.
"He loved to network," Hamann said. "He had Tucson band directors over regularly to discuss the future of music. He had incredible social skills."
Thomas remembers Paul as an optimist - always able to see the good in situations, and a truly positive individual.
"Steve's death is a great loss to the school of music, the UA community and the musical community of Tucson," he said.
The UA Symphony/Wind Ensemble will dedicate its concert to Paul Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Crowder Hall.
Paul's memorial service is today at 11 a.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Fort Lowell Road.
