Maryland-based musician Eli Lev performs July 26, 2024, at Terminal Gravity in Enterprise.

ENTERPRISE — Eli Lev’s path to becoming a touring musician didn’t start on a stage.

“I started out in education,” he said.

He taught eighth-grade English. Then, as he pursued a master’s degree at age 35, Lev had some time to fill.

“I had time on my hands and I started playing music around the D.C. area,” he said. “Music came along and swept me away.”

That was eight years ago. Based in Maryland, he now tours his music and will arrive in Eastern Oregon to play July 26 at Terminal Gravity, 803 SE School St. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Looking back, Lev said he’s glad he made the change to music a bit later in life.

“I’m honestly glad I didn’t try to do this in my younger years,” he said. “I wouldn’t have approached it with the same maturity.”

He has, however, always leaned toward music.

“Music has always been an outlet for me,” he said. “I had the obligatory piano lessons — then I begged my parents for a guitar.”

Pursuing a career as a musician was a process.

“It took some time for people to realize I was doing it for serious,” he said. “It takes consistent effort and continuously showing up.”

He also benefited from the support of family and friends.

“They showed up and really encouraged me,” he said.

He played 200 shows in 2023 and anticipates even more this year. His EP titled “Walk.Talk.Dance.Sing” was inspired by the events of the pandemic and “explores the range of emotions that we all went through as a society and individuals.”

His new folk-pop EP, “Present Journey,” released June 26. It is part of a trilogy — the next installments will be “Past Lives” and “Future Myths.”

“It’s like different chapters,” he said.

He’ll bring CDs, vinyl and T-shirts to the the show at Terminal Gravity.