Among his greatest sources of influence are the English composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Herbert Howells, as well as American composers such as Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber. Also taking a great interest in American poetry, Ethan set the words of Walt Whitman to music in his first published composition: “When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d”—a work that has been performed by several choirs around the country, and which Rodney Eichenberger has featured in his choral workshops and a reading session at the 2013 ACDA National Conference. In the spring of 2013, Ethan released a CD entitled An Echo from Willowwood, featuring his works for voice and piano.