Biography, Paul Klenk
(1963 - ___)
There are several Paul Klenks out here in cyberspace, so if you're not sure whether I'm the one you're looking for, here is a short bio:
Paul Robert Klenk was born in a small town in Stearns County, Minnesota in September 1963. Parents John (b. Chattanooga, TN) and Shirley (b. Amery, WI) were a turkey producer and a homemaker, resp. (see Genealogy page). Paul was the youngest of seven children (Jeanne Marie, Laura Jo, Timothy John, Gloria Lynn, Lois Joy and Steven Charles).
EDUCATION
Paul attended grammar school at Paynesville Elementary and Middle Schools, until his family move to Texas brought him to Lamar Middle School and Temple Senior High School. His father's career eventually brought the family back to Minnesota (Willmar) where he graduated from Willmar Senior High School in 1982. From there he went on to Bemidji State University where he studied music (vocal performance and piano), drama and literary criticism.
PERFORMER
His musical abilities were evident early. He began studying piano at age seven, noting that 'it was very late for him to begin studying, and he had a lot of catching up to do.' Church music had a strong influence on his musical interests. He won numerous state piano competitions and honors, and band competitions. Eventually he traveled across Minnesota, the United States and finally Australia, China and other Asian countries with The Carpenter's Tools, a Christian youth band sponsored by Youth for Christ of Willmar. He was the first high school sophomore in that organization's history. It was in Willmar that he first heard of John Keston, a professor of vocal music at Bemidji State University. His studies at BSU's music department brought him to Minneapolis twice each year to perform, and later to Europe and Israel with The Bemidji Choir, of which he was Tenor Section leader for three years.
Paul's interest in performing also ran to acting. In his last year of college he performed and/or otherwise participated in every university and student production. He left BSU early to begin rehearsal in his first professional show, The Medora Musical in Medora, ND. His work with that show's producer led to further performing opportunities in Minneapolis and Canada.
His most recent role was Teddy Brewster, the eccentric brother in a March 1998 production of Arsenic and Old Lace (Heritage Theatre Co., Maplewood, MN).
EARLY CAREER
An interest in computers desktop publishing led Paul to his current career in Minneapolis, first as a clerk through temporary agencies and later as an Administrative Assistant at First Bank System and Fiserv, Inc.
CURRENTLY
Currently Paul works for an independent power producer (IPP) in Minneapolis as Administrative Assistant.
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Email: paulklenk@iname.com
