Attended the University of Bridgeport for courses in composition and arrangement in the mid-1970s. Took up the cello at age 43. Together with his teacher Kate Dillingham, Ethan produced a cello CD for Music Minus One and also four one-hour Cello Masterclass videos with her teacher, Bernard Greenhouse, of the famous Beaux Arts Trio. Has since recorded and produced a half-dozen CDs for Music Minus One, including a recording of his self-composed cello concerto.