Violist Elijah Zacharia was only 11-years old when he joined the most advanced ensemble at the Portland Youth Philharmonic, a remarkable achievement at such young age. Now a 16-year-old homeschooled junior, he chats with Raúl Gómez-Rojas about the reasons why he chose the viola when he was only 3 years old, the importance of youth orchestra and chamber music, and his favorite moments on stage.
Elijah older brother, Samuel, was featured “On Deck” two times before going on to study viola performance at the New England Conservatory. Elijah is equally passionate about his music making, but plans to bring the curiosity and discipline he has learned through music into the world of science, in the fields of engineering or chemistry.
