Blind piano prodigy set to impress audiences in Gatehouse
Ethan Loch found his love of music at an early age
Ethan Loch was diagnosed blind at birth, but that hasn’t stopped him carving out a remarkable career as a pianist, composer, and performer.
Although only in his late teens, Ethan is already receiving professional bookings into 2025, he’s made time to head along to Wigtown on the 30th of September, to play in the local music society’s second event of the season.
With a range of accolades and awards already to his name, the signs of Ethans success came early on, when he began mastering parts of Beethoven compositions while still a toddler.
He says music has always been a part of him:
“I’ve always felt that music is where I’ve belonged since the very beginning of my childhood, since the very beginning of the memory of me at the piano when I was just eighteen months, and remembering so clearly what it unlocked in me.
“It was almost as though music was always my home really.”
Discussing some of his earliest inspirations, Ethan says ‘Rowlf the Piano playing dog’ from the Muppet Show really captured his imagination:
“It was just so entertaining. I couldn’t remember much of the English dialogue but I could remember Rowlf the piano playing dog going to the piano and playing Moonlight Sonata – it was really entertaining and it gave me a really good laugh.”
Family support is strong
Ethan learned his craft with the help of his mother who taught him for several years, an element he says makes his success even more special.
Thrilled to be welcoming Ethan, the Gatehouse Music Society will be hosting the recital at 3pm in the Parish Church.
The Society was founded back in 1949 and will be celebrating 75 years in 2024.
Members say they're proud to be a part of the music society family across Scotland made up of over 70 different groups.
Organisers say it’s a privilege to have Ethan perform, and that tickets will be available on the door.