ELI WARD

Eli's passion for music started when his mother enrolled him in piano lessons at the age of 5. He later taught himself how to play drums and guitar and writing music soon followed. In high school, Eli had to learn to balance his many skills. He would do jazz band before school, run track after school, then do drumline - all while maintaining good enough grades for the National Honor Society. Eli is a Division I athlete at the University of Iowa for the cross-country track team. When Eli runs, he breathes to the rhythm of a song he's listening to, sometimes lasting up to 16 miles. Now a senior in college, Eli has made the tough decision to not continue on the team so he can focus on music. He's in a band, and they book gigs occasionally doing country covers. However, Eli hopes to focus on singing his own material, which is more singer-songwriter/pop.