Ethan Uslan (pronounced "Yoo-slin") is one of the hottest names on the ragtime/traditional jazz scene today. The first place winner of the 2007 World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest (Peoria, IL), Uslan has performed on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion as well as various concerts and festivals nationwide. Uslan grew up in South Orange, N.J. and later studied classical piano at Indiana University. During his college days, he developed his skills as an improvisor by accompanying "Full Frontal Comedy," an improv-comedy troupe that staged live improvised musicals based on audience suggestions. After graduating from college, Uslan found his way to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he currently lives with his wife Kate and baby son Benjamin (both of whom are very cute). Ethan is a recipient of the North Carolina Regional Artists Grant and performs regularly in the Charlotte area and beyond for private events, concerts, and silent movie screenings. In addition to performing, Ethan serves as visiting lecturer of music at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. His first CD, "Carolina Moon," was released in 2006 for Rivermont Records.