Stars on the Bayou 2014
Ethan Bortnick Headlines Event to Benefit LearningTECH/Quest School
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THAN BORTNICK – FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD PIANIST, composer, entertainer, songwriter, actor, musician and one of the youngest philanthropists in the world—will headline LearningTECH/Quest School/KTVE/KARD’s annual fundraiser Stars on the Bayou on October 19, Jack Howard Theater. Ethan’s concert “Believe in Yourself; Anything Is Possible” will be a tribute to children in Northeast Louisiana who have overcome life’s challenges. “What a thrill for LearningTECH/Quest School to bring Ethan Bortnick to Northeast Louisiana to inspire and motivate young people in a family-friendly venue! Yearly, we look for ways to celebrate young people. This concert accomplishes that and more. If your family is looking for positive entertainment with an attached message of belief in the power of one, then this concert is definitely for you,” commented Donna Underwood, Director of LearningTECH/Quest School. A reception for Ethan and his family from 4:30-5:30 will give ticket holders an opportunity to meet Ethan, purchase his CDs and bid on silent auction items. Bortnick’s concert, 6-8:00 p.m., will feature Missy Robertson and the West Monroe High School Choir, under the direction of Greg Oden. During the concert’s intermission, the audience may participate in a live auction of five select items. At nine years old, Bortnick became the youngest artist to have his own National PBS Concert Special. “Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine” became his national tour when Ethan was ten. Featured musical selections included the Beatles “Let It Be,” Little Richard’s “Good Golly Miss Molly,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” Ethan’s concerts feature numerous genres, appealing to all ages. Ethan’s Monroe Concert, “Believe in Yourself; Anything Is Possible” will also feature original selections including the title song, “Believe in Yourself; Anything Is Possible,” a tribute to his brother, who has overcome numerous physical challenges. Prospective concert goers should Google Ethan Bortnick to view a YouTube concert. His enthusiasm for life and music has caused Ethan’s concert-goers to say: “Genius,” “Incredible, funny, inspiring for all ages,” and “Ethan is a wonder.” 40 OCTOBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM
Having appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey, Little Ensteins and Wendy Williams, Ethan had a leading role in “Anything Is Possible,” a feature film about a young boy separated from his mother who is missing during a trip to Japan to help after a tsunami. Through his concerts, Ethan has raised over $30 million for nonprofit organizations like LearningTECH/Quest School, an educational services center, whose jewel is the Quest School, a school for children who, for whatever reason, cannot find success in traditional settings. Quest School, approved by Advanc-Ed and the Louisiana Department of Education, offers an alternative education for children who may have a diagnosis of ADHD, dyslexia and/or autism or who have no formal diagnosis but need a smaller environment and specialized curriculum. Also, LearningTECH offers tutoring for prekindergarten through college in any subject, educational evaluations, study skills workshops and coding classes. “LearningTECH can design an action plan to insure student success,” according to Director Underwood. LearningTECH offers parenting seminars, as well. Currently, Dr. Terry Thomas of Health Point is offering sessions for parents of children with learning differences. Discussion includes ADHD, executive functioning and informational processing with a question/answer period following Dr. Thomas’ presentations on October 7 and November 4, 6-7:00 p.m., at LearningTECH, 2401 Oliver Road, Monroe. Seating is limited; interested parents should make reservations by calling 322-6000. Tickets for Ethan Bortnick’s Monroe concert on October 19 are available at LearningTECH/Quest School or through Ticket Master and are $30, adults; $15, children. LearningTECH/Quest School has sponsorship packages for Stars on the Bayou. At 322-6000, call Donna Underwood for sponsorship or additional information concerning Ethan Bortnick’s appearance and concert details. Reminder: LearningTECH/Quest School’s annual mum garden sale will be Saturday, October 4, at the River Market.