Paignthor (pronounced “PAYN – tuh”) began playing music at age 6 on the piano and soon developed an interest playing percussion as part of his school’s music programs. He received lessons from Australian drummers Dale Cleary and Bruce Stephens and was later tutored by David Lockeridge. In 2012, Paignthor started learning the double bass under Kirsty McCahon.

Paignthor joined The Arts Unit ensembles in 2013 as a percussionist and later a bassist. He has played with groups such as the NSW Public Schools Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE), NSW Public Schools Symphony Orchestra and NSW Public Schools Millennium Marching Band (MMB). During his time with the Arts Unit, Paignthor joined two international tours, first to the US in 2015 and then to the UK/Ireland in 2018. He has also taken part in the Festivals of Instrumental and Choral Music, Schools Spectacular, Southern Stars, State Music Camps, the Australian International Music Festival, ANZAC Day Parades and more.

Paignthor has performed at some of Sydney’s most prestigious venues including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall, Accor (previously ANZ) Stadium, Verbrugghen Hall, Qudos Bank Arena and Sydney Entertainment Centre. Paignthor has also performed with other Sydney based orchestras. These include Modest Orchestra, The FilmHarmonia Orchestra (TFO), The Occasional Performing Sinfonia (TOPS) & Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra (WPO). Paignthor joined the SYO Philharmonic in 2020 under Brian Buggy and later Steve Williams. In 2023 he joined the flagship ensemble for their 50^th anniversary.

Three personal highlights of Paignthor’s time in SYO during 2023 included performing with musicians of the London Symphony Orchestra and Regional Youth Orchestra in the Sydney Opera House for the ‘LSO Discovery Project’, sitting as principal double bassist of the SYO Big West Tour Orchestra and performing as part SYO’s 50^th anniversary Gala Concert in the Sydney Opera House.

Paignthor has received his Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Music (Performance) from TAFE NSW Ultimo Campus in 2022 & 2023. In 2024, Paignthor is commencing a BMus (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying classical Double Bass under Kees Boersma.