William "Willie" Eckstein (6 December 1888 – 23 September 1963), a.k.a. the Boy Paderewski and Mr. Fingers, was a Canadian pianist and composer.William Eckstein was born in Pointe St. Charles, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is said that he began showing signs of prodigious musical talent at the early age of 3 when he played by ear the melody to Home! Sweet Home! on the piano after hearing it performed the day before.At age 6, Eckstein studied with Moretzky Upton of McGill University, and various other music teachers, who taught him piano, theory and harmony, and at age 12 was offered a piano scholarship to the school.Due to his small stature, standing under 5 feet, Eckstein first attracted attention dressed as a boy performer and billed as the "Swedish Boy Wonder" while employed for the Bell Piano Company at the Canadian National Exhibition. An agent recognized his unique talent and offered him a job playing in New York City. There he was scouted once again and offered a job with the Keith/Albee, Proctor and Orpheum vaudeville circuits. Billed as the "Boy Paderewski", Eckstein toured across Canada, the United States, and Europe. He was even invited to perform for Theodore Roosevelt at the White House.

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