Elijah Rock

Born Eric Myricks in Cleveland, Ohio, Elijah Rock developed an early passion for music and theater. He attended University School and was accepted into the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music during his senior year. His foundational musical training began as a boy soprano, singing in the children’s choir at Lee Heights Community Church and performing with the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus and Cleveland Opera Children’s Chorus. He further honed his craft by studying classical voice, jazz, and musical theater at institutions including the Cleveland Institute of Music and Interlochen Arts Camp. His dedication to performance also led him to train at the Karamu House Theatre and become a soloist with the Albert McNeil Los Angeles Jubilee Singers, establishing a diverse skill set that encompasses singing, acting, writing, producing, and dancing.

Rock’s career is marked by significant achievements in both music and theater. In 2014, he received the NAACP Theater Award for Best Male Equity performer for his role as Roland Hayes in “Breath and Imagination: The Story of Roland Hayes.” He earned an Ovation Award Nomination in 2016 for his portrayal of Cab Calloway in “I Only Have Eyes For You,” produced by Corky Hale and Mike Stoller. Other notable stage roles include The Crooner in “Words by Ira Gershwin” and Coalhouse Walker, Jr., in “Ragtime.” On screen, he appeared as Manny in three episodes of Showtime’s “Masters of Sex” (2014) and co-wrote, co-produced, and co-starred in the short film “Lunch with Jeremiah,” which screened at film festivals including the Hollywood Black Film Festival (2013) and the Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival (2014). His discography includes the albums “Gershwin For My Soul” (2016) and “Matters of the Heart” (2021).

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Elijah Rock is a vocal advocate for brain health. He co-founded and serves as CEO of The Elijah Rock Foundation Inc. (TERF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing dementia research through the arts, promoting brain health awareness, and providing financial assistance for long-term dementia care. His upcoming album, “Memories Unleashed – Impulse 1,” arriving in 2025, is funded by grants from the Global Brain Health Institute, Alzheimer’s Society, and the Alzheimer’s Association, further intertwining his music with his advocacy. In 2023, under his legal name Eric Myricks, he also filed to run for Mayor of Nampa, Idaho, campaigning on platforms of transparency and community engagement, though his certification as a candidate was on September 8, 2023.