Kent Dockus’s path into electric violin began with a moment of inspiration. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, he attended Trans-Siberian Orchestra performances each year, watching Mark Wood bring the violin to life in a way that felt completely different from anything traditional. That experience sparked a pursuit that would eventually lead to a direct mentorship under Wood himself.

Through programs like Electrify Your Strings (EYS) and the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp (MWROC), Kent immersed himself in the emerging world of contemporary string performance. He became part of the Lakewood Project, the world’s first high school rock orchestra co-founded by Mark Wood, where a front line of eight Vipers redefined what a student ensemble could look and sound like. During this time, he also studied under Liza Grossman in Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra (CYO), performing alongside artists such as Bootsy Collins and Jefferson Starship.

As his playing evolved, Kent continued to study contemporary string techniques under leading innovators including Tracy Silverman, further developing the skillset required for modern electric violin performance. He went on to perform as a featured violinist with Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) during the General Admission tour, bringing the Viper to large-scale stages and new audiences.

Alongside his musical career, Kent pursued a degree in Music Business from Full Sail University, one of the country’s leading programs for modern music industry education. His professional experience expanded into touring production, serving as a lead audio engineer for Modern Warrior, a touring production focused on veteran mental health and advocacy.

Beyond music, Kent built a parallel career in digital strategy, marketing, and business intelligence, working across startup environments and Fortune 200 organizations including Apple, Royal Caribbean Group, and Sherwin-Williams. This combination of creative and analytical experience now informs his approach to building and scaling Wood Violins as a modern brand.

Following the loss of his best friend to suicide, Kent became a dedicated mental health advocate, carrying that mission into both his personal and professional life. That perspective continues to shape his leadership, focused not only on innovation and performance, but on building a community that supports and inspires the next generation of players.

Today, as CEO of Wood Violins, Kent represents the continuation of a legacy built over decades, bridging the original vision of Mark Wood with a new era of growth, accessibility, and innovation in electric string instruments.