# Multi-Skilled Child Prodigies Ethan Bortnick Plays Piano Like a Little Mozart but Prefers Dr. Dool By Katie Cordrey | Published 2008-12-24 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seven-year-old-child-prodigy-this-little-mozart-plays-piano-like References: [ethansmusicsite](http://www.ethansmusicsite.com/) & [npr.org](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98482724&ft=1&f=10003) Ethan Bortnick, who just turned 8 today, is one talented kid! Not only that, he can hold his own in a grown-up interview. Just take a look at him with Jay Leno in the video above. When asked about his dad’s piano playing, Ethan complains that his dad just can’t learn to play, *Mary Had a Little Lamb*, no matter how much Ethan shows him! Don’t let that fool you. He plays music far more complex than childhood tunes. He’s a natural entertainer, and a delight to watch. He started [playing piano](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roli-piano) when he was three. He’s played for or with a number of well-known artists. Ethan even [writes his own music](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-2-math). He often composes music dedicated to animals. As much as he loves music, he says he’s going to be a zookeeper when he grows up, not a musician. The animals are lucky to have such an enthusiastic advocate. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Multi-skilled Child Prodigies:** Identifying and nurturing exceptional talents in young children who excel in multiple areas of expertise. - **Natural Entertainers:** Exploring the rise of young performers who possess a natural ability to captivate audiences. - **Creative Child Composers:** Recognizing the emergence of young musicians who not only play but also compose their own music. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Education:** Creating innovative educational programs to identify and support multi-skilled child prodigies. - **Entertainment:** Developing platforms and opportunities to showcase the talents of natural entertainers and young performers. - **Music:** Encouraging and supporting creative child composers in the music industry to promote their unique compositions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Talking Robotic Pianos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chopstix.md) - [Music-Inspired Toy Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/babys-first-music-teacher-developmental-toy-kit.md) - [Digital HD Display Pianos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mozart-console-piano.md) - [Mini Illuminated Digital Pianos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-portable-piano.md) - [Kid Entrepreneur Carts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entrepreneurship-for-children.md) - [Time-Based Music Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chrono-piano.md) - [Kid-Friendly Synth Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourstep-sequencer.md) - [Musician Mentoring Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/musician-mentoring.md) - [Battery-Powered Digital Pianos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loog-piano.md)