Paolo Debuque (he/him) is a Filipino- and Chinese-American conductor, singer, and arranger based in Minneapolis, MN dedicated to innovative programming and grassroots, community-centered art. He most recently served as Visiting Instructor of Music at St. Olaf College, where he directed the Viking Chorus and St. Olaf Chapel Choir.

Passionate about the advancement of Asian-American voices, Paolo is the Founding Artistic Director of A Thousand Tongues, an arts organization dedicated to uplifting Asian-American experiences through music and stories. Past and upcoming engagements include a weekend residency at Luther College; Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, a recital of Filipino pop and classical music; and A Grain of Sand Revisited, a collaboration with the Minnesota Chorale reflecting on the history of Asian-American identity and activism. He is also an active choral arranger, particularly of Filipino repertoire.

Paolo studied music at Swarthmore College and earned the MM in Conducting (Choral) at the University of Michigan, studying under Jerry Blackstone. In 2024, he was selected as one of six fellows nationwide to represent the US in ACDA’s International Conductor Exchange Program with the Philippines.