Whiz Kid: Charlie Dworsky-Hickey is a Rising Rocker

He’s just a fifth grader at , but Charlie Dworsky-Hickey is already a budding rockstar. The 11-year-old singer is the frontman of the South Pasadena band of mini musicians, Minor Trouble.

“He grew up immersed in music,” said Dworsky-Hickey’s mother, Sally Dworsky. “He’s been singing passionately since he was about 2-years-old. He would strap on a guitar and sometimes a harmonica. He would just learn songs really quickly.”

Dworsky-Hickey, the son of two singer-songwriters, started forming a band after wooing the crowd at the Arroyo Vista talent show with his rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around/Comes Around” as a third grader.

“I just love that song,” said Dworsky-Hickey. “I wanted to play it but do a more acoustic version.”

After the talent show, Dworsky-Hickey joined musical forces with classmate and fellow performer, Mazie Preite and her brother, Micah Preite.

Dworsky-Hickey also participated in the  Rock School, where he met future bandmates, Mathew Kramsch and Xander Zooi.

“The original three members were Mazie, her brother Micah and me,” said Dworsky-Hickey. “After a while, I wanted to start an official band so I would have people to make music with and perform with.”

Dworsky-Hickey took some major initiative when he emailed Mathew and Xander to see if they wanted to form a band. The result of that email was Minor Trouble. The band has performed in front of full houses at the South Pasadena Eclectic Music Festival and Flappers in Burbank.

While Dworsky-Hickey is still in elementary school, his taste in music is anything but child’s play. The singer/guitarist loves to perform songs from John Mayer, Mumford & Sons, Nirvana and Oasis.

Charlie Dworsky-Hickey, Mazie Preite and Micah Preite will be performing together at the Arroyo Vista talent show on Friday, March 18.

Congratulations to this week's Whiz Kid!