Education
Paula attended the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma for her undergraduate studies. She then went to Cal State-Long Beach for her graduate studies in Music Education. Fishman also received her Texas Music Education Certificate, K-12, from Region 20 (San Antonio).
Performance and Teaching Experience
Paula performed as a full-time or part-time musician with the Austin Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Florida Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Oklahoma Symphony, Savannah Symphony, and Tulsa Philharmonic.
Paula has been an adjunct faculty member for Violin, Viola, and String Methods at the University of Oklahoma. Baptist U and Long Beach City College, and was a private violin and viola instructor in California, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas. Paula has placed over 150 violinists and violists in leadership positions in all-state, regional, and district orchestras, including concertmasters, principals, and section musicians.
At the American String Teachers Association’s National Convention, the ASTA Florida Convention on string pedagogy, and the SoCal Band and Orchestra Convention on string pedagogy, Paula was a presenter.
Additionally, Paula served as Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra.
At Levine
Paula joined Levine in October 2014, teaching violin and viola.
“Working with such amazing faculty and students! A close 2nd is the opportunity for students to perform in recitals and juries.”
Teaching Philosophy and Approach
“My initial focus is basics – posture, left and right hand, with no unnecessary tension. Once achieved, the student rockets to musicianship, encompassing phrasing, style, and timbres (including bow speed/bow weight/bow lanes). My goal with every student is to teach them to teach themselves eventually. To understand how to solve any technical difficulties with ease, and understand and succeed in playing specific composers in the correct style from Baroque to Modern.”