IT IS from my literature study days within the walls of Christ Church Secondary School that I must reach for a Shakespearean quote that is applicable to a young, outstanding Guyanese musician: “If music be the food of love, play on…give me excess of it that, surfeiting, the appetite may sicken and so die…. Oh it came o’er my ear like a sweet sound that breathes upon a bank of violets – Shakespeare’s A Mid Summer Night’s Dream.

The name Paul Cort may not be as popular in Guyana as it should for his outstanding exploits in a field that many can only dream; but Guyanese have every reason to celebrate this youth, who dares to live his dreams as an international maestro.

There is no other youth in any other part of Guyana with whom I’ve interfaced as an associate, and daresay friend, who has disproved the belief that ‘youth is wasted on the young.’

Bear with me for a brief bit, as I attempt to summarize and dissect — hopefully without taking away from an outstanding youth of substance.

For those who don’t know him, be inspired: Paul was born in Guyana, and began his formative musical training with the now late distinguished musician Edith Pieters. We shared some classes, as we were both students of the late great woman of substance, who was a stickler for language.

Paul was more into the music than I was, and it showed. He was born to do music, and he also was one to challenge anyone who dared to defile the Queen’s English; yet he was my down-to-earth friend, who could easily share a good laugh on trivial matters.

In 1996, he began teaching at The Bishops’ High School, and then went on to Queen’s College, until he accepted a scholarship to pursue studies in the USA in 2001.

In 2002, he placed second in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions; while in 2003 he was placed on the Dean’s List “Magna Cum Laude” and won the Genevieve Stalberg Award at Concordia College.

In 2004, he was awarded the Robert L. Mungar scholarship. He has studied with internationally acclaimed opera singer Simon Estes, and acquired the degree of Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Boston University in 2008.

Despite the heights he has achieved, Paul is always a proud Guyanese, who has performed in the Concordia College, Wartburg College, and Boston University Choirs at Lincoln Centre; Orchestra Hall, Benaroya Hall, Kennedy Centre and Symphony Hall in the USA; and has toured Europe and South Africa with Simon Estes and the Wartburg Choir.

He has performed several recitals at the National Cultural Centre in Guyana and in the Caribbean Region.

Paul Cort was employed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in the public school system, and was the Director of the National Choir of Antigua and Barbuda. He is currently employed at the University of the Southern Caribbean as a Music Instructor, Voice Teacher, and Director of the Fine Arts Chorale.

He has recently been made an Assistant Chief Examiner at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.

By the way, ladies, he is a proud father and husband who keeps his feet wet in things related to Guyana…. As he puts it, “Guyana will always be my home”.

This Georgetown boy is true to his two loves: his wife Malaika Sampson-Cort and children, as well as Music. The latter he lives and breathes above the regular R n B, Hip Hop wanna B’s; and in true baritone style, he can, at a second’s notice, belt out vocals that make him as outstanding as it gets.

By Alex Wayne