In May 2016, he graduated from Indiana University with a Ph.D. in music theory. His dissertation “The Metastasian Da Capo Aria,” which was advised by Prof. Roman Ivanovitch, explores how the musical form of the da capo aria functions both as a dramatic device and as an embodiment of certain philosophical principles. In his research, Paul is interested in the ways that musical convention and usage create meaning at various levels, with a focus on Italian-language operas from the eighteenth century.