Elliott Windmuller Blends Art, Music and Movement
From Del Ray to James Madison University, this multi-talented teen explores creativity in all its forms
Elliott with his panda mug and udder pot.
I first met Elliott when he was a cashier at Whole Foods, where he told me how much growing up with my poetry fence meant to him. Only later did I learn he was an artist working across multiple mediums: performing arts, painting, drawing, music, writing, and more.
Early Creative Roots
Interested in art throughout his childhood, Elliott used to draw cartoons with his sister on the paper placemats at the old Atlantis Restaurant in Bradlee Shopping Center when dining with their parents.
Interested in art throughout his childhood, Elliott used to draw cartoons with his sister on the paper placemats at the old Atlantis Restaurant in Bradlee Shopping Center when dining with their parents.
A Passion for Music
He made pottery in an open art class at Commonwealth Academy in Del Ray. He loves to sing and play music, is self-taught on guitar and piano, and has taken ukulele lessons. He sang in his middle school choir and often posts videos of himself singing on Instagram. “Music helps me express feelings I can’t always put into words,” he said.
He made pottery in an open art class at Commonwealth Academy in Del Ray. He loves to sing and play music, is self-taught on guitar and piano, and has taken ukulele lessons. He sang in his middle school choir and often posts videos of himself singing on Instagram. “Music helps me express feelings I can’t always put into words,” he said.
Telling Stories Through Movement
Dance has also been a creative outlet. He took hip-hop classes from fifth through seventh grade. Summer camps at Synetic Theater in Arlington, Virginia, introduced him to stylized dance, movement, pantomime, and physical storytelling. He later joined the Synetic teen ensemble and performed in Twelfth Night, played Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew, and Paris in Romeo and Juliet. Synetic tells stories through movement and expression rather than words, and Elliott’s talent stood out. Theater founder Irina Tsikurishvili once called him “her little dancer.” “I loved learning how to communicate through movement,” Elliott said. “It showed me how powerful nonverbal storytelling can be.”
Dance has also been a creative outlet. He took hip-hop classes from fifth through seventh grade. Summer camps at Synetic Theater in Arlington, Virginia, introduced him to stylized dance, movement, pantomime, and physical storytelling. He later joined the Synetic teen ensemble and performed in Twelfth Night, played Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew, and Paris in Romeo and Juliet. Synetic tells stories through movement and expression rather than words, and Elliott’s talent stood out. Theater founder Irina Tsikurishvili once called him “her little dancer.” “I loved learning how to communicate through movement,” Elliott said. “It showed me how powerful nonverbal storytelling can be.”
A Writer with Many Stories to Tell
Elliott also enjoys writing fiction and is developing several story ideas—some for graphic novels, some traditional, and others a mix of both. With so many creative passions, he’s still deciding what to major in when he begins at James Madison University this fall. One possibility is becoming a surgeon, inspired by his great-grandmother from the Philippines, a medical pioneer in her time.
Elliott also enjoys writing fiction and is developing several story ideas—some for graphic novels, some traditional, and others a mix of both. With so many creative passions, he’s still deciding what to major in when he begins at James Madison University this fall. One possibility is becoming a surgeon, inspired by his great-grandmother from the Philippines, a medical pioneer in her time.
Art Will Always Be Part of the Journey
Whatever path he chooses, Elliott hopes to continue making art. “No matter what I study, I want to keep creating,” he said.
Whatever path he chooses, Elliott hopes to continue making art. “No matter what I study, I want to keep creating,” he said.