Ethan Bortnick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ethan Bortnick
Ethan's sold-out show at the Troubadour
Background information
Birth name	Ethan Jordan Bortnick
Born	(2000-12-24) December 24, 2000 (age 24) Pembroke Pines, Florida, US
Genres	Alternative
Occupation(s)	Pianist Singer Songwriter Record producer Actor
Instruments	Piano, Keyboard, Vocals
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Columbia, Sun and Sky Records, Alternative Distribution Alliance

Ethan Jordan Bortnick, born on December 24, 2000, is an amazing American musician. He is a pianist, singer, songwriter, and even an actor! You might have seen him on famous TV shows like The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon. He also has special concerts that have won awards on PBS. Ethan has had more than four TV concert specials across the country.

When he was just 9 years old, on October 3, 2010, Ethan made it into the Guinness World Records. He was named "The World's Youngest Solo Musician to Headline His Own Concert Tour."

Ethan has appeared on many TV shows around the world. He has helped raise over US$50 million for charities! He worked with famous artists like Elton John, Beyoncé, and Josh Groban to do this. In 2011, his show Musical Time Machine won two Telly Awards. In 2014, he won three more Telly Awards for The Power of Music.

Ethan has performed in over 1,000 concerts all over the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he started doing live performances every day on YouTube.

Early Life and Musical Talent

Ethan Bortnick was born in Pembroke Pines, Florida. His parents, Hannah and Gene Bortnick, moved to the US from Ukraine. Ethan went to a special pre-school called Montessori.

When he was only three years old, Ethan found a toy keyboard. He quickly discovered he had amazing musical skills, including something called perfect pitch. This means he can tell what musical note he hears without needing to see it played. These skills led him to appear on many TV shows. Ethan has also shared that he has synesthesia. This is when your senses mix, so he might see colors when he hears music.

Ethan's Music Career

PBS Concert Specials

When Ethan was 9 years old, he became the youngest artist to have his own national PBS concert special. It was called The Power of Music. This show was the most popular concert pledge show on public television from 2014 to 2015.

In 2017, Ethan presented his third national PBS concert, "Generations of Music." Famous musician Peter Yarrow from the group Peter, Paul and Mary was a special guest.

Ethan also started his own talent search in 2017 called "Celebration of Music." This show travels to different cities in the United States. It gives young performers aged 4 to 24 a chance to compete. The winners get to perform on a national TV show!

Youngest Headliner in Las Vegas

On July 22 and 23, 2011, Ethan made history in Las Vegas. At just ten years old, he became the youngest person ever to headline a show in Las Vegas. He performed at the famous Las Vegas Hilton.

First Recorded Album

In August 2011, Ethan recorded his first music album. He made it in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. A producer named Gary Baker helped him create the album. This album is the soundtrack for a movie called Anything is Possible. Ethan also played the main character in this film.

Melody Street Show

Ethan was the host of a TV show for young children called Melody Street. It was a 22-minute musical show for preschoolers. Ethan and a group of animated musical instruments entertained kids. The characters included Val Violin, Febe Flute, Timmy Trumpet, Heidi Horn, and Sammy Snare. They had fun with jokes, songs, skits, and games.

Live Performances

Early Performances (2007-2009)

• In 2007, Ethan opened for Nelly Furtado's first US show. This was at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
• In 2008, he performed a full concert with the Naples, Florida, Philharmonic Orchestra.
• He also performed to help raise money for the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation. This event featured Beyoncé Knowles, Smokey Robinson, and Gloria Gaynor. They raised a record US$12 million!
• In 2009, Ethan performed with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
• He also performed at a fundraiser for Parkinson's disease hosted by Muhammad Ali.
• Ethan opened for famous artists like Sir Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Tony Bennett. This event helped raise money for the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Later Performances (2010-2011)

• In 2010, Ethan opened for Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo at a Super Bowl Party. This event raised money for children's charities.
• He performed a solo show at The Grammy Museum for students.
• Ethan performed with Ben Folds and the Nashville Symphony to raise money for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
• In 2011, he performed in Las Vegas to raise money for the Remax and Children's Miracle Network Auction.
• He also performed in a concert for the Larry King Foundation, opening for Mary J. Blige.
• Ethan was one of the main performers at the 2011 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Other big names there included Natalie Cole and Herbie Hancock.

We Are the World – 25 for Haiti

On February 1, 2010, Ethan recorded the song "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" with about 70 other artists. This was to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original song. It also helped raise money for Haiti. The song was first played on Friday, February 12, 2010, during the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Media Appearances

Newspaper and Magazine Features

• On February 12, 2010, Ethan was featured in Rolling Stone magazine. The article was about the new "We Are the World" song and introduced him.
• On August 1, 2010, he was featured in the LIFE section of USA Today.
• In October 2013, Ethan was on the cover of Esquire Magazine for its 80th anniversary.
• In November 2013, Ethan was part of a worldwide ad campaign for the GAP brand.

Discography

Albums

• Anything Is Possible OST (2013)
• Harmonic Minor (2020)
• Luna Park (2024)
• Luna Park (The Lullabies) (2024)

DVDs and CDs

• Live in Concert "By Me" Ethan Bortnick (2007)
• Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine (2010)
• Ethan Bortnick in Concert: The Power of Music (2014)

Singles

• "The Champ" (2008)
• "It's All About Music" (2011)
• "Anything Is Possible" (2013)
• "Reason to Believe" (2017)
• "Be Who You Are" (2017)
• "Leave Me Alone" (2019)
• "Start" (2019)
• "Closure" (2019)
• "I Want Red" (2019)
• "The Dino Club" (2020)
• "100 Layers" (2020)
• "Sink and Die" (2020)
• "Final Boss" (2020)
• "5 am" (2020)
• "Soul Eater" (2021)
• "Cut My Fingers Off" (2021)
• "Prom" (2022)
• "Engravings" (2022)
• "Arsonists" (2022)
• "Happy F***ing Birthday" (2022)
• “Deadly Ever After” (2023)
• “The Last Laugh” (2023)
• “Doppelgänger" (2023)
• "Sleep Paralysis Demon" (2023)
• "Jumpscare In Your Garden" (2024)
• "Hide n Seek" (2024)
• "Rem" (2024)
• "Sprites" (2024)
• "Luna Park" (2024)

Tours

• 2015 – 2016: The Power of Music
• 2010 – 2011: Musical Time Machine
• 2024: Luna Park Tour

Film and TV Appearances

• 2013: Anything is Possible (as Nathan)
• 2015: Ethan Presents (Himself/host)
• 2014: The Power of Music (Himself/host)
• 2010: Fox and Friends Christmas Special (Himself/Guest)
• 2010: The Fran Drescher Show (Guest/Performer)
• 2010: The Wendy Williams Show (Guest/Performer)
• 2010: Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine (Himself/host)
• 2010: Melody Street (Himself/host)
• 2009 – 2012: Canada AM (Guest/Performer)
• 2009: Yo Gabba Gabba (Nickelodeon show) (Himself/Guest)
• 2009: Mornings with Kerri-Anne (Australia) (Guest/Performer)
• 2008 – 2011: The Oprah Winfrey Show (Guest/Performer)
• 2008: Little Einsteins on Disney Channel (Himself/Guest)
• 2007 – 2010: Good Morning America (Guest/Performer)
• 2007 – 2009: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (Guest/Performer)
• 2007: The Martha Stewart Show (Guest/Performer)
• 2007: Inside Edition (Guest/Performer)
• 2007: Access Hollywood (Guest/Performer)
• 2007: The Early Show (Guest/Performer)

Awards and Recognition

Young Artist Awards

Telly Awards

Other Awards

On April 1, 2014, Ethan received the Next Generation of Hope Award from the USO.