They call Ethan Bortnick a child prodigy, but the appellation, I fear, misdirects our attention from his true gift. He has, without a doubt, a jaw dropping facility on the keys and a natural ear for musical composition that is simply incomprehensible in a 6 year old. (Just take a listen below:)
His inexplicable talent is not, however, the gift he gives to us as his tiny fingers dance across the ivory and ebony. (Such young talent often infects us with sentiments of jealousy and silent self-loathing, along with hints of venal accusations against parents who push their young children too far too fast.) No, Ethan's true gift to us is his innocent and infectious joie de vivre. Just study the way this youngster revels in sharing his passion and craft.
It is what I admire most in my youngest students -- the sheer joy in which they discover and share, the unencumbered manner in which they experiment and produce, free from the fetters of self-conscious guard or the ever vigilant eye on external criticism.
Media run to ask us what we plan to give during this season of gifts, during this season of economic uncertainty. May I suggest whatever you give you do so with the smile and laughter modeled by Ethan, with the pure exuberance of his play and the virtuous zeal of his music.
Media run to ask us what we plan to give during this season of gifts, during this season of economic uncertainty. May I suggest whatever you give you do so with the smile and laughter modeled by Ethan, with the pure exuberance of his play and the virtuous zeal of his music.
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