Tyler Westerbeck, 11
Published 9:00 pm Monday, January 31, 2005
Fingers do the talking: Loves music. Started playing acoustic guitar at age 7 and recorded his first song at 8. Recently won first place in the Everett School District for music in his age group in the PTSA-sponsored “Reflections” competition in arts, literature and music.
The theme was “A different kind of hero.” Tyler’s “Tribute to Jimi Hendrix” will now be judged at the state level and could then advance to the nationals.
Has band, will travel: Received first electric guitar at age 9 and will play with several adults at the Yakima Folklife Festival in July. His new band is the Tyler Westerbeck Express. Has also played with children’s worship band at the New Life Center church in Everett.
Music and friends: Likes to create songs with a classmate who also plays electric guitar, but there’s never a shortage of drummers among schoolmates. “Everybody plays drums.”
Favorite movie: “School of Rock.”
Favorite author: Roald Dahl.
Favorite food: Lobster.
Favorite bands: Rush, Def Leopard, Jimi Hendrix, Goo Goo Dolls and Third Day.
Least favorite: Slipknot, Metallica and Pink Floyd.
School: A fifth-grader, he likes math, science and art.
Free time: Likes walking to store, shooting baskets or kicking soccer ball and playing music with friends. Also enjoys drawing medieval characters and collecting GI Joe action figures, particularly replicas from World War II era.
Hopes for future: “I see myself still playing guitar and getting better and going on to more concerts and stuff, like the Yakima Folklife Festival-type thing. I might keep drawing … I’ll just be pretty much the same but older and better.”
Feline friends: Seven cats – Bessie, Harpo, Groucho, Kitty, Catinca, Matilda, Lateegra – and two rabbits, Cocoa and Cosby.
Know a super kid? Contact us at 425-339-3036 or schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.
