When Ethan Walmark was 18 months old, he was placed on the autism spectrum. He began receiving services, like speech and occupational therapy.
At 3 years old, his Stepping Stones teacher told his parents: “Take away Ethan’s music. When he listens to it, he goes into his own world. You want him to be in our world.”
They were stunned. Allison Ziering Walmark’s father was a professional musician. When she was pregnant with Ethan, she and her husband Michael sang to him every night.
“From the day he was born, even though he was always happy, whenever he heard music, you could almost see a magical transformation,” Allison recalls.
“He became one with the music. At Music Together classes, we got a sense he was trying to figure out the melodies and rhythms.”
She and Michael thought it would be cruel to take away something he loved so much, and showed so much talent for.
They not only ignored the advice — they added the amount of music in his life.
Young Ethan Walmark.
“Music is the universal language,” Allison says. “It brought him immeasurable happiness.”
Ethan began music therapy with the Connecticut School of Music, plus private piano and keyboard lessons.
The next year, Bobbi Burns — another Stepping Stones teacher– excitedly called Allison.
Bobbi said that when she played Little Richard’s “Itsy Bitsy Spiker,” Ethan sang the melody — then chimed in on the harmony too.
“That’s never happened before!” the teacher said. “He’s something special!”
At Kings Highway Elementary School, Ethan learned the upright bass. He performed in musicals, and sang with the chorus.
But that’s just part of Ethan’s story.
When he was 6 years old, a YouTube video of you playing “Piano Man” went viral.
He performed live on the “Today Show.”
He became one of only 14 people worldwide — and the youngest — to receive a “Genius of Autism” award. Then he won it again.
The Huffington Post named him 1 of 20 “Child Prodigies.”
He helped Yoko Ono flip the switch to light the Empire State Building blue for World Autism Awareness Day.
Meeting Ethan before a concert, John Mayer said, “Hey, I know you! You’re the internet sensation!”
Ethan’s performance of “Eminence Front” rocked a Who show.
He appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” and CBS’s “Early Show.” He sang the national anthem in front of 25,000 fans at Red Bull Arena.
As a 12-year-old Coleytown Middle School student, Ethan followed Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Billy Joel and Elton John at the 1st-ever Autism Awareness Gala Fundraiser at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
He brought down the house. He performed 4 songs, closing with “You are the Sunshine of My Life.” Ethan dedicated it to his sister Eliza, who was in the audience.
When CMS was remote during COVID, he taught himself to play guitar. (He can really shred.)
He joined School of Rock. He formed a band — and great friendships — with other musicians there.
Ethan Walmark, on the keytar.
The Walmarks looked forward to Staples High School, where Ethan could join the outstanding music program.
It did not disappoint. Now, as a senior, Ethan has truly found his niche. He has been embraced by the Music Department staff and students.
He is a member of the Tri-M National Music Honor Society. From freshman year on, he has sung with the elite Orphenians group. He’s a Choralaire, a charter member of the A Cappella Club, and pianist for the Jazz Ensemble.
Ethan Walmark (center) with (from left) Rohan Wadhwani, Curtis Sullivan, Max Ardrey and Ben Herrera. They performed Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time” at last spring’s Staples Pops Concert.
Ethan was selected for the Connecticut Music Educators Association All-State Treble Chorus, and is a 2-time CMEA Western Region Mixed Choir honoree.
He’s won 5 straight School of Rock All-Star competitions, as a keyboardist and vocalist. He plays in 3 bands, all over the tri-state area.
You can see Ethan in one of them — Strictly Business — tomorrow (Saturday). They play from 7 to 11 p.m. at 314 Beer Garden, in South Norwalk.
And in the classroom, Ethan is a consistent Honor Roll student.
Ethan Walmark shreds it.
Ethan has auditioned at several top contemporary music colleges.
“Ethan’s story should inspire — and be a lesson for — any parent with a child, whether neuro-divergent or neuro-typical,” Allison says.
“Advocate for your child. Do what your gut tells you. Advice is nice. But only you know your child.”
(To see a collection of Ethan Walmark’s music videos, click here.)
(“06880” often highlights outstanding young Westporters. If you enjoy these stories, please support our work. Just click here — and thank you!)
Ethan Walmark, on vocals.
Go Eathan
thank you for sharing this story with the 06880 community Dan. He is absolutely the most talented young musician and watching him through the years has been truly inspiring. He is remarkable. So glad his parents did not listen to that person when he was little and listened to their instincts. I look forward to seeing what he does in the future. And my family will be there in the audience cheering him on.
Ethan is an extraordinarily gifted young man. Ethan was blessed to have been born not just with outstanding musical abilities – but to amazing parents. His talent was obvious to them and not just supported – but they have been his biggest advocates and cheerleaders. Lessons to learn here for everyone!!
We’re all going to be able to say “I knew him when he was just a kid” one day! Btw: He’s got some pretty amazing parents too
So Wonderful to read about people on the autism spectrum finding their passion 🙂
Thanks for this,Dan!
Great story about an awesome and super talented kid who knows no limits. Ethan is such an inspiration to all and we are so lucky to have him actively engaging in our community. Can’t wait to see what is next. Every institution of higher learning should come running for this kid. He will soar to the top of every chart!
What an extraordinary talent and amazing kid! Kudos to him and the whole Walmark family for advocating and nurturing his amazing superpower!
Inspiring! What a wonderful story.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Ethan perform and I found myself wanting to hold up a lighter in support of his music. I rarely “fangirl” over anyone’s child, but this young man has talent that I know I’ll see fill the world for years to come. I love when the spotlight shines on those so deserving of it. Bravo!
Our family has had the pleasure of watching Ethan and his musical talents blossom over the past 16 years. He is a true musical prodigy! How lucky for all of us that Allison and Michael did not listen to the advice they were given many years ago. Can’t wait to see (and hear) where Ethan goes in life!!
What a great story, I have seen Ethan perform several times (School of Rock) and he is truly a gem. Music may be his world, but Mike and Alison Walmark are his universe. Raising kids, the most important responsibility in life. Well done to the mom, dad and SISTER! Looking forward to Ethan performing at halftime doing the
Super Bowl someday……You never know!
Kudos to Ethan for all his accomplishments – his performances definitely highlight his musical gifts! And huge props to his parents, who have done so much to put Ethan on this amazing pathway. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this talented kid…!
Amazing story and a wonderful family! Ethan has, is, and will always be a ROCKSTAR literally and figuratively!
I love this story so much. Thank you, Dan.
Love, love, love this. And loved the YouTube video/audio. Thanks!
SUCH A BOSS!! Ethan is an incredible musician and an even better friend. He’s bound for big things!! 🙂
Allison and I spoke when my son, Josh, was first diagnosed with autism. We have talked and written many times since. She has always been an encouraging voice. Not all autistic kids are the same but Josh also loves expressing himself through his music.
Josh goes to school at Foundry 6:1:3, essentially a reinvention of, NYCLI, the school he went to in Queens for 10 years. He takes ukulele and voice lessons with Jess and Friends, a wonderful group of teachers for kids of all ages and skills. He had a recital just a few weeks ago.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/cMFjWCdowSHYG5zr/?mibextid=GpiG5r
We have enjoyed watching Ethan perform on Facebook for years. Maybe, one day, they’ll perform together.
Thank you for sharing Ethan’s story! In a world with so much darkness right now, he and his story is a bright light. Reading this one to my children, and I look forward to more stories on the 06880 blog like this. Bravo, Ethan! You are incredible.
fantastic article.. thank you Dan Woog…… always presume competence
Ethan is amazing!!! He has been so blessed to have Allison and Michael as parents and to have such a wonderful sister, Eliza!!!
You Rock, Ethan Walmark !
Great article about an amazing young man with amazing parents. Wonderful family! Always a rockstar Ethan! We have loved watching you perform and share your talents with us all over the years!!
Ethan, I watched you grow up and would encounter you almost everyday as a young child at Sherwood diner for lunch. I would then see you by surprise at town events that I was involved in putting together.
A little boy who was never shy about expressing his gift now an almost full grown man steadfast to yourself to preserve the same vocal, animated, musical and expressive talented gift to the world.
The Charlie Karp of mine and your generation. I’ll look for your name in musical credits, your face on TV, and you as a whole on stage playing a set for the entire world.
“If you book them, they will come.” I’ll be there!
Wonderful article about a remarkable talent ! In a time of uncertainty reading about this incredible young man put a smile on my face . I have followed Ethan throughout the years and am amazed by his growth and unlimited talents. Is there anything he cant do ? If you dont follow Ethan jump on the train because he will change the music world one day soon ! Thank you to the Walmark family for following your gut and sharing his amazing talents with the rest of us ! Go Ethan !
“Bravo, Bravo” to the Ethan and the Walmark family!!
“Encore, Encore!!”
What an extraordinary, remarkable and shocking story. Extraordinary young man, remarkable talent and shocking desire to encourage conformity.
“Take away Ethan’s music. When he listens to it, he goes into his own world. You want him to be in our world.”
Between the lines of this story – for so many parents faced with similar circumstances – is the angst, self-doubt, guilt and division often suffered when one or both disagree with an”authority expert’s” prescription for their child.
Too often efforts towards discovery and celebration of uniqueness instead fall prey and succumbs to the pressures to conform.
In the arts, mathematics, science, music, athletics…who knows how many others are stifled or educated out by well-meaning authority figures – particularly when family resources are limited. KUDOS to all those who seek out and encourage the dormant uniqueness we all bring when born.
I would hope that “Stepping Stones” means providing the fundamental foundation for a path towards self awareness and discovery every child requires to forge a meaningful, successful and fulfilling lifetime journey, rather than how to become “our world” clones.
While this celebration of Ethan and his parents is notable and well deserved, my concern is that the lessons in this story reach far beyond.
Ethan is an absolute treasure-as are his parents and sister. His creative abilities shine always and in all ways. When he was assigned a poem from Central America to decipher in our World Literature class, he wrote a song expressing the tone. Brilliant.
Go Ethan. I cannot wait to see what is next for you.