16-Year Old Ethan Bortnick Talks Music, Career

Sixteen-year old Ethan Bortnick has moved audiences nationally and internationally as a pianist, composer, singer, entertainer, and a driven humanitarian, dedicated to combining his musical pursuits with his charity work. The Hollywood, Florida native begged his parents for piano lessons and discovered an uncanny ability to hear a song once and play it back note for note -- the musical equivalent of a photographic memory...

By the time Ethan was nine, he was appearing in his own PBS special, "Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine," in which he offered a survey of music from classical to pop, jazz and disco. The following year he embarked on his first national tour, as well as his Las Vegas debut, which made him the youngest performer to headline in the city. Since then he recorded his first album, hosted "Melody Street," a 22-minute musical-variety-show for preschoolers, headlined numerous benefits and toured internationally. His latest tour brings him to Boston Wilbur's Theatre on March 3.

EDGE caught up with Bortnick for a conversation.

EDGE: When did you start playing the piano?

Ethan Bortnick: I started playing when I was three years old. While attending a Montessori school, I saw lots of kids were taking lessons and I wanted to do the same thing. Originally, my parents said no, but thankfully they gave in.

EDGE: What was it about the piano that made you stick with it?

Ethan Bortnick: After I figured out I could mimic music on the piano, I was stuck. It was the fact that I could recreated any note that I heard. Once I realized I could do this, I really loved it.

EDGE: Do you come from a musical family?

Ethan Bortnick: No! No one in my family is musical.

EDGE: When did realize that you wanted to perform for a living?

Ethan Bortnick: I did a few performance when I was about four or five years old, but it wasn't until I was six years old that I knew I wanted to do this as a living. I was performing at a hospital fundraiser that was performing an operation on my brother Nathan. After seeing how much the performance affected people, I was truly amazed, so I started doing more fundraisers for them. At one of the fundraisers we had Beyonc�, Smokey Robinson, and Gloria Gaynor all performing and that night we raised over 12 million dollars. It was amazing to see how my talent was being used to help others.

EDGE: Over the years, you have opened for a lot of major celebrities, do you have a favorite?

b>Ethan Bortnick: Honesty, it is hard to pick a favorite. Everyone that I have met has taught me something different and I have learned a lot from them.

EDGE: Do you feel like you have a good balance of musician / childhood?

Ethan Bortnick: Luckily, I have an amazing family. No matter how much we are traveling or performing, they make sure that I have a normal life. I play video games and go to a regular school and hang out with friends. I really live a normal life.

EDGE: Besides playing, you also compose songs. What is your process like for writing?

Ethan Bortnick: Usually, I write with something in mind or something that inspires me. I let my brain and fingers go to work and after that, I write the lyrics around it.

EDGE: Who are your favorite composers?

Ethan Bortnick: Like trying to choose a favorite celebrity, It is hard to choose a favorite composer. I love all types of music and I think that it reflects in my show.

EDGE: When you are not being a musical prodigy, what do you like to do?

Ethan Bortnick: I like to eat a lot! I love playing sports and video games. Did I mention I love to eat? (he laughs)

EDGE: What can people expect to hear at your upcoming concert?

Ethan Bortnick: I am really excited to be performing in Boston! This will be my first time in the city. My show is going to be pretty similar to what has aired on WGBH. It is really a family show. I love that music bonds families together. Be prepared, because I do a lot of audience participation.

For more information about Ethan Bortnick, visit visit the Wilbur Theatre website.

Watch Ethan Bortnick perform "Anything is Possible":