Child Piano Prodigy Debuts With NJ Youth Orchestra

Seven-year-old Ethan Huang, of Morristown, was one of two pint-size pianists to perform debut solo concertos with Le Petit Orchestre on Saturday, March 19, at the New Jersey Youth Symphony Hall, in New Providence. 

Ethan, a second grader at the Alfred Vail School in Morris Township, and William Chen, of New York City, were the youngest pianists ever to take the stage with the youth chamber orchestra, according to conductor Ludmila Kozlova, president, Talented Young Musicians Association, and owner of Mila’s Debut music studio in Greenbrook.            

“The students in the orchestra are accomplished young teenagers themselves,” said Kozlova, “but they were truly amazed at the talent exhibited by these two seven-year-old pianists when they heard them play.”

The performance, presented by the Young Pianist Competition of New Jersey and the New Jersey-based Talented Young Musicians Association, was designed to showcase the talents of young musicians and inspire parents and music teachers to encourage young musicians to hone their skills even further.

Ethan exhibited his interest in sound and love for music at an early age. He began studying piano with Yelena Mamonova before he turned six. In 2010, Ethan performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and received the Exceptional Young Performer Award after winning the first place of Young Artist Division at the Young Pianist Competition of New Jersey. He enjoys performing solos as well as in ensemble. Besides music, Ethan likes swimming, playing basketball and spends a lot of time drawing and reading about science.