Paul Lee’s excellent adventures — from K-POP to RKLS to his senior recital
Paul Lee’s excellent adventures — from K-POP to RKLS to his senior recital
Published on Feb 25, 2016 by Paul K. Logsdon
Due to inclement weather, EU will be closed Monday, Jan. 22.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – When Paul Lee takes the stage on Monday for his senior recital, he will be joined by a cross-cultural band of friends with whom he has grown close during his years at Evangel University.
“I’ve learned a lot from the different influences I’ve enjoyed at Evangel,” said Lee, a senior from Tampa, Fla. “Singing with people of all cultures and races has given me a little glimpse of what Heaven might be like.”
The core of his recital band will be the members of RKLS — say “reckless” — Paul and three friends who formed a band last year at Evangel. Each member of RKLS has extensive experience with other groups, including tours of the US and Europe as members of Evangel’s HeartSong.
Their voices are strong, their harmonies are tight, and, as a bonus, they are as multicultural as four guys can get.
“You have a black guy, you have a white guy, you have an Asian and you have a Dominican,” said Christian “CJ” Harrison, 22, a senior music industry major from Austintown, Ohio, during an interview last fall with KRBK–FOX5 News.
According to Lee, “Each of us brings a different style that is influenced by our background. When we blend those styles, we end up with a sound that is unique to us.”
RKLS is comprised of Lee on vocals and guitar; Harrison on vocals and drums; Logan Gentry, from Kansas City, Mo., on vocals and guitar; and Matt Garon, from Detroit, Mich., on vocals and piano. The four have performed multiple times on campus and throughout the region during the past year.
Evangel students Paul Lee (guitar) and Logan Gentry were filmed on campus last summer with their voice professor, Dr. Bonnie Jenkins, for a Korean TV talent contest called K-POP. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) // Photo by: Paul K. Logsdon
“Korean American Idol”
Last summer, Lee and Gentry found success when they auditioned as a duo for K-POP. “That’s short for Korean-Pop, a popular style of music that started in South Korea, and it is also a Korean TV show similar to American Idol,” explained Lee.
The two were among 300 who auditioned in Atlanta, and they were one of the top seven acts picked for further interviews and features.
“A TV crew from Chicago came to Springfield last August to interview us, our friends and teachers, and to film us performing a song,” said Lee.
They made it to the second round — that video was shown on Atlanta’s Korean TV station, and aired in Korea as well. Unfortunately, they didn’t get tickets to South Korea.
“They only chose one artist from Atlanta for the K-POP TV competition,” said Lee. “However, this was another great experience for Logan and me.”
The recital concert
Lee will perform his senior recital for his worship leadership major on Monday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m., in the seminary chapel. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel is located on the north end of Evangel’s campus, on the corner of Division and Glenstone.
“The worship leadership major at Evangel prepares students for a music ministry position, such as choir director, orchestra director or worship music leader,” said Dr. Bonnie Jenkins, professor of music and director of HeartSong. “It is also a good track for a student who intends to pursue graduate studies in music.”
Lee has gained extensive experience in his chosen field of service — he currently serves as worship leader at Life360 Intercultural Church in Springfield.
Lee is the son of Byong Chin Lee and Eun Won Lee, who attended Evangel in 1997.
Paul Lee on the quad at Evangel University. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) // Photo by: Paul K. Logsdon
Accompanied by Evangel Students
Vocals: Paul Lee, Logan Gentry, Christian Harrison, Charlene Nadela, Nicole DeGiorgio
Electric Guitar: Drew Tate
Bass Guitar: John Osborn
Acoustic Guitar: Paul Lee
Piano: Matt Garon
Drums: Christian Harrison
Spoken Word Presenter: Peace Aisogun
The Department of Music at Evangel University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the Missouri Association of Departments & Schools of Music. Courses and degree plans are designed to satisfy requirements of these accrediting agencies.
For more information, visit www.evangel.edu or contact the music department at (417) 865-2811, ext. 7212.
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