Sharon J. Paul is an professor of music, chair of vocal and choral studies, and director of choral activities at the University of Oregon. She earned her D.M.A. in choral conducting from Stanford University, an M.F.A. in conducting and performance practice from UCLA, and a B.A. in music from Pomona College.

From 1984-1992, Paul served as director of choral activities at California State University, Chico, where she directed a large choral program and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, choral literature, and the humanities. In 1991 Paul was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award at CSU, Chico.

Dr. Paul served as artistic director of the San Francisco Girls Chorus (SFGC) and conductor of Chorissima and Virtuose, the organization's acclaimed performance ensembles, from 1992 to July, 2000. Under her leadership, the chorus released four compact discs, premiered major works by American composers, and represented the United States at the World Conference of the International Society for Music Education, the Spoleto Festival in Italy, and the Taipei-San Francisco Sister City Celebration in Taiwan. Paul appeared on screen with members of Chorissima in the film What Dreams May Come, and conducted SFGC singers for the soundtrack of The Talented Mr. Ripley. In June 2000 the SFGC was the first youth chorus to win the Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence, a national honor presented by Chorus America.

Paul has presented lecture demonstrations at regional, state, division, and national music conferences. She appears frequently as adjudicator, clinician, conference headliner, and honor choir director throughout the country, including engagements at Festival Disney at Disney World, conducting the Northwest Division Treble Honor Choir in Boise, Idaho, and all-state choirs in Hawaii, California, and New York. University of Oregon choirs under her direction have performed at OMEA State Conferences, ACDA's Northwestern Division Convention, and MENC's Northwest Conference.