Paul Landefeld is Executive Director Emeritus of the Suzuki Institute of Dallas. Mr. Landefeld holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in viola performance from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Music Education degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He has participated in Suzuki conferences, workshops and institutes throughout the USA as well as Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and the Philippines.

In 1981 he received a certificate of Observation and Study from the Talent Education Research Institute in Matsumoto, Japan under the tutelage of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Mr. Landefeld performed with colleagues at the memorial service for Dr. Suzuki in March, 1998 at the Civic Center in Matsumoto, Japan.

Mr. Landefeld taught in the Pittsburgh area for twenty years, both in public and private programs. He is the founder and former Executive Director of Talent Education of Greater Pittsburgh, an umbrella organization that sponsors support activities and outreach for the Suzuki movement in that area. Prior to moving to Dallas in September of 1986, Mr. Landefeld was Director of the American Suzuki Institute at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. In July 1990, he served as Director of the Texas Christian University Suzuki Institute in Fort Worth, TX. He has also participated in Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) conventions as a Presenter/Panelist and has served on the Music Educators National Conference Ad Hoc Committee for String Education.

A registered Teacher Trainer through the Suzuki Association of the Americas(SAA), Mr. Landefeld has been a board member as well as President of that organization from 1986- 1988. He continues to serve on the Past Presidents received the Distinguished Service Award from the SAA for Vision, Leadership and Outstanding Service. Mr. Landefeld was invited to be a guest clinician at the 13th Suzuki Method World Conference held in Matsumoto, Japan in March, 1999. In June 2000, Mr. Landefeld was a guest speaker at the Texas Music Teachers State Convention in Austin, TX. He currently holds the position of CEO of the International Suzuki Association (ISA) since being appointed to that position in October 2003.