Paul Taffanel was born on September 16th, 1844 and had his first flute lesson with his dad ten years later. He went on to study at the Paris Conservatory under Dorus. When he was 16 he won his first award for flute performance. Seven years later in 1867 he was a member of the conservatory's orchestra. During this time his skills flourished and he became one of the few French performers who created a national musical style. In 1890 he became the conductor of the opera at the Conservatory. Later, in 1893 he became the professor of flute and in 1897, the head of the orchestra class at the Conservatory.