Born and raised in Sitka, Alaska, Paul Cox, received B.M. in percussion performance in 1992, from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Michael Rosen. He pursued additional study at London's Royal College of Music, Rice University, the Aspen School of Music, and Yale's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. In addition, he holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Case Western Reserve University. An avid composer, his Percussion Quartet No. 1 was premiered by the Oberlin Percussion Group in 1996. Two new works, Totems (a trio for three marimbas) and Manhatta for solo percussion and film, was premiered at the Cleveland Museum of Art on May 12, 2000. Cox has given lectures at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Orchestra on topics ranging from Mendelssohn's watercolors to John Adams' latest piano concerto. Since 1996, he has been the assistant curator of musical arts at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where he contributes to the production of more than 60 concerts a year. Among his many pastimes are sea kayaking, hiking, chess, gardening, and traveling. He is married to Kirsten Docter, violist of the Cavani String Quartet. On Sunday, May 7, 2000, Paul and Kirsten welcomed Sebastian Alexander Cox to the world.