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ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Paul Fredericks, a lifelong musician, educator, and audio creative based in Connecticut. With over 20 years of playing experience and more than 15 years of teaching, I’ve worked with hundreds of students across all ages, styles, and goals — from absolute beginners to future music majors and seasoned hobbyists.
I hold a Bachelor’s in Music Performance and have earned multiple certifications from Berklee College of Music Online, including specializations in Guitar Performance, Developing Your Musicianship, and Music Education for Teachers. I also draw from additional training in jazz theory, creativity and entrepreneurship, music wellness, and recording techniques to create well-rounded, individualized lessons.
In addition to teaching, I’ve collaborated with major artists, composed for video games and short films, and even opened for legends like Foreigner and Buckethead. My studio work includes recording, mixing, and producing for indie artists and my own library of stock music, used in films, ads, and online media.
I specialize in guitar, piano, drums, bass, ukulele, and banjo, but I’m equally passionate about helping students grow through composition, music theory, improvisation, and even recording and songwriting. I run Paul Fredericks Music LLC, my private studio offering in-home and online lessons, creative coaching, jam sessions, and custom content.
Currently, I teach at Westover School, and I previously served as Studio Lead and Master Instructor at Music & Arts in Fairfield, where I taught over 60 students weekly and earned national recognition for teaching excellence.
Whether you’re looking to start from scratch, build your skills, or explore creative music-making, I’m here to help with lessons that are supportive, flexible, and tailored to you.
Professional Collaborations and Mentors
Legendary jazz saxophonist and flutist best known for “Moody’s Mood for Love” and work with Dizzy Gillespie. Paul studied with him and even shared the stage, an experience that deeply shaped his understanding of improvisation and jazz performance at a young age.
A multi-platinum producer and guitarist whose credits include hits with Chris Brown, G. Bliz introduced Paul to a studio-first mindset. Their work together helped refine Paul’s hybrid approach to live playing, arrangement, and audio production in modern genres.
Best known as the drummer for KISS, Eric’s career spans decades with acts like Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper. Paul’s time working around him brought firsthand insight into arena rock professionalism, gear precision, and the endurance of touring-level performance.
A renowned video game and concert music performer, Laura’s credits include Destiny 2, Mortal Kombat, and Video Games Live. Paul has collaborated with her on recitals and award-winning student productions, sharing a creative bond rooted in video game music and contemporary performance.
A Grammy-recognized educator and author, Patrick mentored Paul in music pedagogy and theory. Their work together included editing educational materials and sharing insights drawn from decades in classical and jazz performance.
A virtuosic jazz and gospel pianist praised by The New York Times, Chris has worked with artists like Stevie Van Zandt and Donna Summer. His deep knowledge of theory and groove helped shape Paul’s foundation for teaching harmony and rhythmic feel with joy and clarity.
An iconic jazz vibraphonist and longtime Berklee figure, Gary Burton’s innovative approach to improvisation and fusion music helped shape Paul’s educational path and commitment to genre-crossing musicianship.
In 2005, Paul performed at Hartford’s Webster Theater as part of a lineup that included classic rock legends Foreigner, with Jason Bonham (son of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham) on drums. This early-career milestone placed Paul on stage alongside rock royalty, cementing a performance memory that still inspires his live energy today.
Paul's Studio Musician Projects
Hilly Michaels
Planet Norris
NP2
Proof of Purchase
Westover Theatre – Fun Home (2023–2024)
Paul helped arrange and produce music for Westover’s production of Fun Home, which won multiple Halo Awards, including Best Supporting Actress, Best Costume Design, and the Fearless Award. He collaborated with Laura Intravia and Julia Atwood to support the cast’s musical preparation and performance.
Paul's Composition Projects
Paul has also worked as a composer on multiple projects such as:
- Composer – Mr. Moore's Last Seconds Score – PC Video Game by "Hexaton Game Studios"
- Paul’s score for this emotional pixel-art game earned 5th Place in Audio and 8th in Mood out of 2,200+ entries in Ludum Dare 27. Featured as Adobe Flash's "Gaming Rocks!" pick of the week, the game has surpassed 80,000+ plays on Newgrounds, with Paul’s atmospheric music praised for elevating the story’s emotional impact.
- Composer – Battle for Wesnoth - Return to Ruins Score –Steam Game
- Paul contributed original music to this award-winning, community-built strategy RPG, known for its deep lore and passionate fanbase. His immersive, orchestral themes accompany players through new campaign missions, helping expand a game that holds a ‘Very Positive’ rating from 20K+ Steam reviews.
- Composer – Ruin Score - PC Game by "Lowlit Studios"
- Blending ambient horror with psychological storytelling, Paul’s soundtrack for RUIN guides players through a haunting forest journey filled with dread and mystery. Developed in collaboration with Adrian Tizoc Marshall, an award-winning director celebrated for his surreal, dreamlike vision, Paul’s music was central to the game’s unsettling mood and pacing.
- Creative Impact Through Stock Media
- Paul’s licensed music has reached over 7,000 sales and 600+ downloads, providing emotional backdrops for everything from YouTube videos and podcasts to indie films and TV commercials. His Pond5 page features music for nearly every mood—many crafted with storytelling, gaming, or cinematic use in mind.
The Electric Legacy of Paul Stanley Fredericks
Named after the legendary frontman of KISS, my journey through music began with backstage access to the very heart of rock ‘n’ roll. My father, Ronald Fredericks, played a key behind-the-scenes role during KISS’s golden era — with his work documented in KISStory II and KISS: The Second Coming. That connection wasn’t just symbolic — I received personal letters, signed memorabilia, and annual backstage invitations directly from Paul Stanley himself.
Growing up in this environment, I was immersed in the world of legendary performers, gaining firsthand insight into the culture, energy, and legacy of rock. These experiences helped shape both my passion for music and my philosophy as an educator: music should be powerful, personal, and unforgettable.
My own journey has included sharing the stage at historic venues like the Webster Theater, where I opened for Foreigner with Jason Bonham (son of John Bonham of Led Zeppelin) on drums — a surreal moment that bridged rock generations. At Toad’s Place in New Haven, I performed alongside the hardcore legends Hatebreed, channeling the raw energy and connection that only live rock can deliver.
These moments aren’t just stories — they’re the fuel behind my mission to inspire the next generation of musicians. Whether we’re learning chords or composing full songs, your lessons will carry the spirit of a legacy that’s as loud as it is legendary.
*Pictures above with Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons of KISS, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon, & Weird Al*
News articles from New Haven Register and Metal Edge Magazine