Whiz Kid: Drummer Elijah Wood Gets The Beat

Each week Patch will feature a talented Port Washington student for our Whiz Kid column. Know a Whiz Kid? Nominate him or her for an upcoming column. Send an email to adina@patch.com. 

NAME: Elijah Wood, 15 years old

SCHOOL: 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Elijah Wood is a young professional session drummer. He tours regularly with his parents Mark Wood and Laura Kaye as part of their Electrify Your Strings! music education program, which was featured on "The Today Show" in December. Elijah Wood is a member of the band Coldest Fall whose second album is scheduled for release in early May. Because the band is located in Turkey, all of his drum recording is done via the internet. Wood recently performed at the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, on the main stage.

KEY TO AWESOMENESS: Says Elijah, "All my life, I've been surrounded by music. When I was very young I started to bang on pots and pans. That must have been a sign! Later I chose the drums as my main instrument and I've been playing for about eight years now. My work with my parents has been more than interesting and has opened up many doors for me! Just last year, I was disappointed that I couldn't write songs and compose music, because drums are not a melodic instrument. Then I started playing piano, guitar, and most recently have taken up singing. Now I'm a one man band! My real key to success is staying focused, practicing, and never giving up on your dream."

To learn more about Wood, visit facebook.com/elijahwooddrummer.