Paul Bratcher, a native of Harrisburg Pennsylvania began playing piano at age 11. He began his study of jazz at Bishop McDevitt High School where he played in the Jazz Band under the direction of David Knott. After high school Paul continued his education at Messiah College where he pursued a Bachelors of Science in Music Education. While attending Messiah he had the pleasure of playing with and learning from such jazz masters as, Tim Warfield, Kirk Reese, Cyrus Chestnut and Bruce Barth.
After Paul graduated from Messiah he continued his education at Michigan State University studying Jazz Studies under world-renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker. During The time at Michigan State Paul had a plethora of both teaching and playing opportunities.
As a teacher Paul worked with the jazz program at MSU Community Music School in Detroit as well a clinician for a variety of high schools in the mid Michigan area. As a player Paul has shared the stage with Rodney Whitaker, Diego Rivera, Etienne Charles, Michael Dease, and Wes “ Warm Daddy” Anderson.
After graduating with a M.M. in Jazz Studies Paul has been busy playing and teaching in the D.C. area. He has toured South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Canada, and Uruguay, Egypt, Indonesia and more. Currently Paul is Associate Chair of Piano at the Levine School of Music in Washington D.C. and Director of Jazz Studies at Georgetown University.