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Paul Buono: Musician and 2L [By Mahsa Khalilifar] When Paul Buono decided to enter law school, it was not based on some passionate urge but, rather, a realistic approach to his future.
“I know this is not an idealistic answer, but
and received an M.A. in Jazz Performance/
political science courses. My elective courses
it was just more of a practical option,” he
Composition in 2004. After taking some time
usually included law-related courses,” he
explained. “I decided to go to law school
off to work as a full-time musician, Buono
said. “[I was looking into] finding a job and
because I loved being a musician, but there
received a “generous scholarship” to attend
[making myself] marketable.”
were other things I wanted in life, like a
Western New England College in Springfield,
paycheck, a car, or an apartment, without
Massachusetts, and at 27 years old, he is
He saw the different opportunities law could
having to live with four roommates.”
now in his second year.
bring him, so he decided to make the best of
When Buono was younger, his parents gave
During the time that Buono was a full-time
him private music lessons, which started in
musician, he spent his days playing on cruise
Buono said he has come to prefer certain
the second grade.
ships, including those operated by Princess
aspects of law.
the situation.
Cruises. He would work as a musical “They made music a part of our studies;
director or a sideman. After realizing that his
“I like giving arguments, and I like being
it was like [our] education. We practiced
financial future was not looking as bright as
in front of a court and in front of a judge,”
every day, so it was like doing your history
he had hoped, he needed another plan.
Buono said. “I like being called to discuss
homework,” Buono recalled. It was not until junior high that Buono saw music more fondly rather than as a chore. One of his biggest supporters was his grandfather, who was a musician-a pianist, to be exact. “He drove us to our [music] lessons, so he was a primary force in our education and upbringing, especially in music,” said Buono. During his senior year of high school, Buono participated in a student exchange program though his school, studied in New York and Hawaii, and then returned to New York for a while. He graduated cum laude in 2002 from the University of Massachusetts with a jazz studies degree. His concentration was in piano. Buono then entered the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, CUNY,
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“I did always have an interest in law. As an undergrad, I took a couple of ethnic and Q. What do you do for fun? A. A lot of my fun stuff involves music. I play with wedding bands and jazz ensembles on weekends. I also go down to New York and check things out when I can. I’m a big summertime guy, so I like a lot of outdoor stuff-camping, hiking. I also like to travel.
a case law. I think, more generally, I really like the idea of debating in the courtroom setting.” Right now, Buono is hoping to apply for a law student internship with the United States Olympic Committee for the summer of 2008. He currently teaches at Clark University in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts. He usually takes classes during the day and then works from around 5:00 p.m. until
Q. What CD is in your CD player right now? A. Avishai Cohen-Colors.
well after 8:00 p.m. Buono also provides
Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. National Geographic Adventure, the only magazine I subscribe to.
students, his specialty being the piano.
Q. What is your favorite TV show? A. Arrested Development. Q. What is something most people don’t know about you? A. I got my scuba-diving license in BoraBora.
private lessons and other musical services to
Buono has temporarily put his personal goal of playing music full-time on hold, but he hopes that law school will provide a musical path just the same. “I want to work in the music industry somehow in the future…whether it be on the A&R side, I want to get my foot in the door
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