Beck Vontver, Rockstar
I’m doing a series of interviews with kids who do awesome stuff. My first interview is with a 12 year old up and coming musician, Beck Vontver.
A little bit of history- I met his mom, author/illustrator Leslie Patricelli, as she was getting her first book published. When I first met Beck, he just a little guy, 3 or 4 years old, listening to Michael Jackson on headphones and matching the beat on his dad’s drums. By the way, his dad, Jason Vontver, is no slouch of a musician either. Their home is such an amazing environment for fostering creativity that I am both awed and completely jealous at the same time.
Now let’s get to this interview. Ladies and Gents, meet Beck Vontver.
Question: How old are you?
Beck: 12
Q: Are you currently in a band? if so, what’s it called?
Beck: No, But I was, it was called Voltage!
Q: If you were naming a rock band, what would you call it?
Beck: SUPERPLATYOCTOPUS!
Q: What will life be like in the year 2025?
Beck: Flying cars, super-suits, etc.
Q: What is the longest you have ever been grounded?
Beck: I’ve never been grounded ha!
Q: Who is the coolest person ever, dead or alive?
Beck: Ringo Starr or Zach Galafanakis
Q: What instruments do you play?
Beck: (BIG INHALE) drums guitar piano bass ukulele spoons banjo trumpet (BIG INHALE)(BIG EXHALE)
Q: What are you most proud of?
Beck: Being able to play all those instruments
Q: How would you survive a night in the jungle while being hunted by cannibals?
Beck: With marshmallows, Dr. Pepper, and a MAC-11.
Q: What is the coolest thing about your family?
Beck: We all play instruments
Q: Would you drink a bottle of ketchup for $100?
Beck: Nonononononono!!!
Q: What is the easiest class you have ever taken?
Beck: Pre-school math, count the cookies!
Q: If you had a pet alien, what would you name it?
Beck: Phil
Q: Would you rather have carrots for fingers, or have your head on sideways (the right ear would be on the top of your head)?
Beck: Carrots for fingers, definitely
Q: Besides music, what other kinds of art do you do?
Beck: Paintings, and i love to draw.
Q: How much do you get for allowance?
Beck: I don’t have one 
Q: What do you spend your money on?
Beck: New instruments and video games.
Q: If you could change anything on earth, what would it be?
Beck: To not have money. That would solve a lot of problems.
Q: Do your parents make you eat your vegetables?
Beck: Yes (sigh)
Q: What is lame about grown ups?
Beck: They do chores all day.
Q: What is the most valuable thing in life you’ve learned so far?
Beck: To learn from my mistakes.
Check out some videos of Beck in action below.
Thanks Beck! You seriously rock.
(And if you have any suggestions for future interviews with awesome kids, please send me a note.)
Baby Beck:
Beck at 2:
Beck now:
Derek Munson works as a writer, speaker, and all-around daydreamer. His writings have been translated into over 40 languages, and he has presented to over 100,000 kids across the United States and abroad. He lives in Bellingham, Washington with his wife Suzanne, their daughter Abby, their son Zack, and Roger the family dog.
KidHeaded 