Today we’d like to introduce you to Dev Sekar
Hi Dev, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Born during the pandemic, I didn’t get out much. One of my first outings was at 18 months old to a local Mexican restaurant where award winning Elvis Tribute Artist, Nick Perkins, was performing. I was starstruck. By age two, all I wanted to listen to was Elvis on Pandora and I began requesting my favorite songs, “Burning Love” and “Blue Suede Shoes” by name. I was nicknamed “Elvis” at preschool where my teachers would even label my desk with an Elvis tag. At age 3, I started taking vocal lessons with Karen Bradshaw, owner of KKVS, and my excitement for all things Elvis exploded.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m only 4, so although it’s been a short road, it’s been an exciting journey. My biggest obstacle so far has been memorizing and pronouncing all the words in entire Elvis songs since I cannot read yet. Sometimes I stop singing mid practice to ask what a certain word means. Thank you Elvis for enhancing my vocabulary. My mom would probably say that keeping my collection of Elvis costumes and my blue suede shoes clean is her biggest struggle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As one of America’s youngest Elvis Tribute Artists, every performance has opened doors for me. I was fortunate enough to perform at Elvis Week in Memphis, Tennessee in August 2024. I won the 2nd Place Fan Choice Award against 50 professionals, non professionals, and youth performers. I’ll never forget when I sang “Amazing Grace” in Graceland and a group of tourists stopped and asked for photos and my autograph. I brought one woman to tears. Seeing how music can move people was a life changing experience and getting to do it in Elvis’s hometown made it feel even more special. I am proud to be the youngest person on stage where I get to compete amongst world champion ETA’s.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Putting in the hours with my vocal coach has proved that practice makes perfect. I’ve recently started adding choreography to my practices and it is the most fun part. At the end of the day, I know what matters most is that I have a great time on stage and I entertain the audience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devsekariselvis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563818386066
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@devsekariselvis
