Curriculum vitae
  • Ralph Paulsen - Bahnsen was born 20 July 1954 in the Hamburg suburb of St George. Already in his young years he was playing guitar in various bands and ensembles.

  • First lessons in electric guitar were by the well-known bass guitarist and singer of the band “The Beathovens”, Kalle Popp. It was through Kalle Popp that contact was taken up with the Hamburg Music Conservatorium and Prof. Bernard Hebb, who’s student he was for many years. Graduated 1976 as leader of the Plucked String Ensemble from the Trossingen State Academy for Music. Graduated as a registered state teacher for guitar (SMP) in 1976.

  • 1976 – 1977 study at the Hamburger Music Conservatorium under Prof. Dr. Andreas Schultz majoring in music theory and composition.

  • 1977 – 1981 study at the Hamburg State Academy for Music majoring in music theory and composition under Prof. Dr. Werner Krützfeldt. Graduated 1981 with distinction.

  • 1977 – 1983 teaching position as lecturer in guitar and music theory at the Hamburg Music Conservatorium. Since 1981 senior teaching position for composition, guitar and professional musical career training and development at the Norderstedt Music School.

  • Conductor/Leader of choirs and guitar ensembles; member of the European Guitar Teachers’ Association as well as the Bund Deutscher Zupfmusiker (Association of German pluck instruments).

  • Numerous published works, mostly by Peer and Trekel publishers.

  • Concurrently with his work as a composer, arranger and in music pedagogy, Ralph Paulsen-Bahnsen performs as soloist (Concert Series ‘Bar Guitar’) and and in various ensembles, for example in the trio "The First Classical Guitar Express" together with Katharina Hempel and Franz Peter Perschmann.