LENELLE SMITH

// BIO

 

Growing up in a strong Christian household, Lenelle Smith was introduced to Gospel music at a very early age. He began  playing the piano at 7 years old at a  local church in Vicksburg, MS.  

 

His gospel musicality was influenced by the penmanship of Kirk Franklin, the vocal arrangements of Richard Smallwood, the lyrical theology of Andre Crouch, and the harmonic value of the Clark Sisters.
 

Lenelle Smith was active in the Drama Club, Male Chorus (TTBB) and Concert Choir at Forest Hill High School-Jackson, MS. His choir teacher was, unknowingly, a major influence of the next phase of Smith's musical journey.

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He later enrolled at Hinds Community College- Utica Campus, where he served as Musical Director for UMC Wesley Foundation, Gospel Choir director, arranger for the Utica Jubilee Singers and Daughters of Bobby Ensembles, founded the the Glee club, and participated in the Concert Choir.

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After HindsCC, Smith transferred to Jackson State University, where he studied Music Education. He participated in the Chorale, the University Choir, served as musician for events hosted by Outspoken, JSU Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Theatre Dept, and musical director for the Reformed University Fellowship campus ministry.

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Lenelle Smith has also toured nationally and internationally with HindsCC-Utica Music Dept, J.J. Thames, Straitway Sanctuary Recording Choir/Rory Block, Dexter Allen, Grady Champion & the GC Blues Revue, and many other performers.

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Smith has served as Music Director for Rita B's "Sipp on This Tea"  and "Live at the Alamo" Comedy Specials. He also produced 2 (two) of her now-viral singles "Rock Me Like a Pothole" and "Quarantine Shuffle".

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Smith composed vocal arrangements for choirs, stage plays, and recording artist from  J.J, Thames to Indelible Grace of Nashville, TN.

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Presently, Lenelle Smith is the Entertainment Industrial Mechanics and Technology Instructor at Hinds Community College- Utica Campus. He also serves as the Gospel Choir director, the Glee club advisor, Stage Lighting and Sound Engineer for the campus. 

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"I strive to create an atmosphere of cohesion, enable everyone in my circle to learn, grow, and develop together...the art that we create should be valuable as gold, yet sentimental (and filling) as mom's  home cooking"

                                    -Lenelle Smith

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