Indiana University Bloomington, IN
Born and raised in the vibrant cultural hub of Seoul, South Korea, Sehyun Paik is a dynamic jazz composer and vocalist whose transformative journey has taken him across Europe, Asia, and North America, captivating audiences with his innovative artistry. Sehyun has performed in countless jazz clubs and music festivals and has been awarded “Rising Talent” at the renowned jazz competition in Austria,
MM Jazz Nachwuchsförderung, and a nominee at the Master-Jam Fest Competition in Odesa, Ukraine. A distinctive vocalist and composer, Sehyun seamlessly blends traditional jazz with avant-garde and contemporary styles, drawing from a wide array of influences that shape his unique musical identity.
Sehyun Paik is currently completing a Doctor of Music in Jazz Studies, with minors in Music History, Literature, and Classical Voice, at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he also earned a Graduate Performer Diploma in Jazz Studies. Before moving to the United States, he pursued his studies in Austria, earning a Master of Arts in Music Education and Artistic Communication with concentrations in Jazz Composition/Arrangement and Jazz Voice Pedagogy from the Music and Art University of the City of Vienna. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Voice Performance, with a concentration in composition, from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, the oldest jazz institution in Europe. Throughout his academic studies, Sehyun has had the privilege of studying with renowned and Grammy-nominated jazz musicians, including Michael Abene, Dena DeRose, Sheila Jordan, Andy Middleton, and Sachal Vasandani, whose mentorship has been instrumental in shaping his musical artistry.
As an Associate Instructor of Jazz Studies at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Sehyun has embraced a wide-ranging teaching portfolio. He is the Director of All Campus Jazz Ensemble and co-teaches courses including jazz theory, jazz improvisation, jazz history, and jazz listening, tailored for jazz undergraduate majors, minors, and non-majors. Sehyun’s teaching philosophy prioritizes creating an environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to explore their unique musical voices. By highlighting the contributions of underrepresented communities in jazz and integrating diverse cultural perspectives into his curriculum, he ensures that students not only achieve technical and artistic growth but also gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and inclusivity of the jazz tradition.
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CANCELLED: The Korean Tinge: Receiving and Reimagining African Diasporic Jazz in Postwar South Korea
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
1:00 PM - 1:25 PM CST
