Kinnelon Student Honored For Outstanding Jazz Talent

A student from Kinnelon was one of several honored by the Mayo Performing Arts Center as a December Music Student Of The Month for being an outstanding jazz musician.

Ethan Butka, a senior from Kinnelon High School, was honored on stage before the Dec. 3 concert at Mayo PAC. All the students were nominated by their teachers and chosen by Mayo PAC's education department. At the end of the year, all honored students will be invited to perform in a recital.

Here is what Ryan Stroud had to say about Butka:

Ethan is an outstanding trombone player in our Wind Ensemble and has been a member of that group for all four years of high school. He also doubles as our Jazz Band piano player and this is where he really shines. He has an incredible ear for harmony and often uses his skills to help his peers in the AP Music Theory class. He is always asking for suggestions on new, exciting music to listen to and is always trying to stretch his learning about music.

Front Row: L-R Aaron Andino, Grade 8, Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morristown; Kavin Sawant, Grade 7, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany; Alvaro Caravaca, Grade 8, Mount Olive Middle School, Budd Lake; Rachel Gontarski, Grade 8, Randolph Middle School, Randolph. Second Row:Ethan Butka, Grade 12, Kinnelon High School, Kinnelon; Aren Hill, Grade 8, Harding Township School, New Vernon; Richard Sevilla, Grade 12, Parsippany High School, Parsippany; Not in picture:Ryder Jackson, Grade 12, Dover High School; Conor Lenahan, Grade 12, Morristown High School; Jason Monachello, Grade 12, Randolph High School