From the Blog: Alumni Spotlight

Hopefully you’ve been following harpist and From the Top alum Anna DeLoi’s summer Arts Leadership project – she got together an ensemble and has been touring, raising money for CureSearch. You can read more about her ensemble, Heartstrings, and what they’ve been doing this summer here. We just got an update from her on Heartstrings‘ ideas for the fall, which we’ve shared below.

We’re considering lots of fun ways to continue and expand what we’re doing; maybe a program mixed with an instrument-petting-zoo, so that kids can get more involved, and see that they can do more than listen to us make music – they can make music themselves! We want to help them create lasting relationships with music, because we think it is an amazing gift to have in your life.  And this summer has shown us that children really can get excited about classic music, if they are exposed to it.

Anna shows her harp to kids at Maudslay Park this summer (courtesy of Heartstrings' Facebook Page)

You should have seen the kids at the last event we played – they were genuinely excited to sit and listen to piece after piece.  One little girl came up to us with an amazed expression on her face and said, “You make the prettiest sounds I’ve ever heard”. She proceeded to sit on the ground in front of us and listen for about 20 minutes, before her parents told her it was time to leave, when she blew us a kiss goodbye. I honestly wanted to jump up and put an instrument in her hands, because I just knew it could be something she’d love for the rest of her life.

Stay tuned, as we will continue to update you on Anna and Heartstrings‘ plans! You can also check out their Facebook page here.

Simon Estes is a perfect example of a true Arts Leader. This Iowa native and world-renowned opera singer has established not only a school in South Africa for some of the continent’s poorest children, but also the Simon Estes Iowa Educational Foundation, “a multiracial, nonprofit organization that provides positive minority role model programs and scholarships to students attending Iowa colleges and universities.”

His latest project is the “Wings and Roots” tour, where he’s pledged to present concerts in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“I want to share the gift of voice God has given me and give something back. I want to introduce audiences to classical music and a trained voice, and I want to raise funds to provide scholarships for outstanding students. The cost of college is high and many families need help. I know when I was young, I struggled. I scrubbed floors, shined shoes, carried luggage and anything I could do. I want to help young people because I believe in the value and importance of education,” Estes said.

Simon attended our From the Top Show #216 in Ames, Iowa this spring, where he met From the Top alums Caroline Weeks (viola) and Bryanne Presley (obeo), both of whom he ultimately ended up inviting to join him to perform at several concerts this fall! So far Bryanne is scheduled to perform with Simon on October 30 in Vinton, Iowa, and November 13 in Manning, Iowa.  Caroline will be performing with him this December. Stay tuned, as we’ll post more information about those concerts as we get it.

Bryanne on From the Top in Ames, Iowa

Caroline on From the Top in Ames, Iowa

From the Top is taping the next Iowa show in Davenport on October 12 at 8pm. If you’re in the area, come on down and grab a seat in the Adler Theater. Tickets & info here.

This is the second installment of our Parents’ Perspective blog series, which is meant to share information, hints, and knowledge about raising musical kids. You can read the first blog about musical beginnings here.

Today’s topic: Your kid wants to study an instrument – now what? Our parent panel gives some tips on finding music teachers.

Word of mouth can be a very powerful tool!

Gabriel Cabezas, 2007

Emmanuel Cabezas remembers, “After Gabriel went through most of the Suzuki program, his teacher suggested a traditional teacher who also performed with a symphony orchestra.  Once Gabriel studied with him for a couple of years, he in turn suggested another teacher from a university.”

Roberta McGuire says, “Word of mouth referrals from trusted and respected sources can help shorten the time in finding what you are looking for. When shopping around for an instrument, you should ask your teacher to help out with the assessment of each so that you get the instrument that best fits your child at that given point in time.”

Barbara Nakazawa advises, “School band and orchestra teachers tend to know the better private instrumental teachers so they are a great source.”

Use the Internet!

“The Internet has made it possible for us all to see what is available in music stores, music schools for classes, teachers, sheet music and music related supplies.”  – Roberta McGuire

Some online resources you may find helpful:

MTNA – Music Teachers National Association

NAMM – National Association of Music Merchants

NAMM Foundation: Best Communities for Music Education

MENC – The National Association for Music Education

National Guild for Community Arts Education

*Many states have music teacher associations. Try a Google search with your state or city + music teachers.

Additional Words of Advice:

From Barbara Nakazawa:

“Finding the right teacher for your child is very important. It’s not only the material that is taught and technique, it has to be the right personality match. Most teachers offer a trial lesson.  A good teacher should be able to direct their student to the appropriate orchestra/band auditions and help with suggestions for instruments, supplies, etc.”

From Roberta McGuire:

“You don’t want to swap [teachers] a lot because it would disrupt the continuity in learning. The other key element in the teacher search process (when you are switching from one teacher to another) is to be honest with your wish to make a change.  No one appreciates being blind sighted and a burnt bridge can never be a helpful one in the future!  Honesty is always the best policy!”

If your child’s school has an orchestra or a band program, encourage them to join up. Through that experience, they will start to make friends with other like-minded students and you will start to build a network of musical friends to connect with.

Scales:  They do matter! Nobody likes to play their scales, but they do help with ear training, so one way to get your scales into your practice routine is to start with your scales! Your sound quality will improve and your teacher will love you for it!

From Naomi Aldort:

“We parents are gullible when it comes to talent. We tend to live our own dreams of glory through our children. Unfortunately children sense it and will go on the path of our dream, missing their own, if we are not careful. They will look happy and we will be fooled to think that they love the lessons, when what they really love is to please us and be the sunshine of our dreams. Eventually this becomes old and the child’s search for herself collides with her need to please her parents or other adults. Depression is one of the most common results of such inner confusion.

Oliver Aldort on From the Top, 2005

Therefore, I often recommend offering music education to a child without formal lessons.  Not offering lessons does not meant not nurturing the child’s talent. On the contrary, when not relying on a weekly teacher to do the job, you take more responsibility and the child learns a whole lot more. I offered such “home lessons” to my children, and by the time they started to study with teachers, they were already reading notes and skillful with the fundamentals of rhythms, tonality, chords, and feeling the music. They were also freely improvising and totally passionate about music. Instead of a weekly or bi-weekly lessons, their musical learning occurred a few times per day, every day of the week. I avoided praise so their love of music stayed authentic and not confused with pleasing me.”

Naomi Aldort is the author of, Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves and the mother of two musicians. Her advice columns are published in progressive parenting magazines worldwide. Aldort offers guidance and counseling by phone/Skype internationally regarding all ages, babies through teens: attachment parenting; natural learning; peaceful and powerful parent-child relationships and more. Products, counseling, and free newsletter: www.authenticparent.com

Please feel free to comment below with questions or your own personal stories! We’d love to hear from you.

Because From the Top tapes radio shows across the country, we often fly in young musicians from different states to appear on broadcast tapings. If you’re a musician, you know traveling with your instrument can sometimes be tricky. The American Federation of Musician recently launched this petition to make air travel more friendly for musicians.

Even if you’re not a musician, you can probably imagine the difficulties of hauling a large cello around. The video below shows one ordeal Octet Abbraccio, featured on our 2010 Ames, Iowa show, went through in trying to return home to Ohio. (Starts around 1:15). In true From the Top style, these young musicians kept a light heart and a humorous approach to the situation.

You can show your support for young musicians with large instruments by signing the petition here.

As you know, From the Top showcases the best young musical talent from across the country. But what about the support behind these amazing kids – the parents? We’ve set out to tap into the rich knowledge base of From the Top performer parents in an effort to share information, stories, and encouragement on raising musical kids.

This is the first blog in what we hope will be an on-going series.

Musical beginnings: How do you know your child is ready to study an instrument & are you ready to help them? Whether or not you have any musical background, our parents share why studying music is a family affair.

Barbara Nakazawa is a musician and teacher, but she looked to her son Joshua for signs he was interested:

Josh, age 6

“Starting at age three, I dragged him to one of my community orchestra rehearsals (I’m a flutist)…After a few weeks he got to be friendly with the cellists and trombonists as they sat near him.

One day he said, ”Mommy, I need a cello.”  I gave him the whole lecture about need vs. want and told him that he was too young…He was persistent as is his nature and just to change the subject I told him, “Tomorrow after nursery school we will go home and call a cello teacher.” The following day when I picked him up from nursery school I asked him if he wanted to go to Toys R Us and he said, “No, Mommy, you promised that we would go right home and call a cello teacher.” Twenty-one years later he is now a professional cellist.”

Emmanuel Cabezas says that his son Gabriel’s journey through music has been shared by their family:

Gabriel Cabezas

“We could tell Gabriel had an affinity to sound, movement and music from an early age.  I grew up among musicians, mostly pianists and violinists, and could tell Gabriel was inherently interested in it.  I played the piano for many years and took lessons at my family’s conservatory in San José, Costa Rica.  Historically, my family has not encouraged a young child to study music until he/she expresses sincere interest and commitment, as Gabriel did.

If I could take the liberty to express my perception of my wife Mary’s entrance into the world of music without much preliminary experience, I’d say she took it with much courage and enthusiasm, learning from every opportunity and developing a keen sense of musical appreciation and knowledge.  What I admired the most about Mary is her unconditional support toward Gabriel without being over protective (what is commonly referred to as “stage mothering”).  Gabriel’s journey through music has provided Mary with an extraordinary insight in an area that she naturally loves and intrinsically understands (albeit without any practical background).”

Roberta McGuire is not  a musician, but she had a general knowledge of music that helped her when Patrick started out:

Patrick McGuire

“I am not a musician, but I did study a few instruments while growing up. This gave me an appreciation for music and the ability to appreciate the work involved in learning to play an instrument and to learn new pieces on that instrument. Studying the piano helped me when my child was starting out on piano and on his other instruments…The basics were the same, i.e. being able to read the music, to fine tune the notes so that they are in tune, etc. i.e. age appropriate critical listening skills.  What was different in each was the method of producing the sound.

I sat in on the private lessons for a few years and by doing that, I learned a lot about the approach and about the instrument.

I don’t think you need to be a musician in order to help your child learn an instrument. Being a parent musician is obviously helpful, but not a must.  What you do need is the ability to ask questions and know where to obtain the information you need. There is help out there. So, don’t be afraid to ask.”

Susie Wuest wanted to give Eric the chance she never had:

Eric, 1991

“I had grown up very involved in athletics [figure skating] and there was never the time nor money for me to learn to play an instrument, something I felt that I had missed out on.  So after my two children were born, I decided that I would give them that musical opportunity.  My daughter started with piano, and when it was time for her brother Eric [two years younger] to maybe start an instrument at age 6, he…decided on violin since his father had played violin through junior high and still owned a violin.

It worked out well that my husband was musical so he could tune Eric’s violin strings in between lessons and after a short time Eric was able to play duets with him.  Once Eric realized that he could read music, he started going through his father’s stash of old violin etude books and sheet music.  That early beginning with reading music turned into a great strength for him.

I was a stay-at-home mom so I was able to plan his days so that there was always time for both practice violin and other activities.  It was almost never a question about practicing.  It was not “IF” but “WHEN.” I feel that I handled venturing into this new territory because there were many parallels to my skating days in practicing, learning, and performing.  I think that I was able to offer Eric non-musical advice through analogies to my skating life.”

Next time, we explore how to find the right resources to support your child in their musical studies. Please feel free to comment below with questions or your own personal stories! We’d love to hear from you.

In May, we posted the inspiring ambitions of harpist Anna DeLoi, who has spent the summer traveling and performing with her ensemble Heartstrings to raise funds for CureSearch, a children’s cancer research foundation. The group has achieved a great deal these past two months.

Anna joined forces with two musician friends, Nash Ryder and Keith Williams,  who were also staying home for the summer, to collaborate with her on this project and help create Heartstrings. They put together a chamber music program, created a Facebook fan page to spread the word, and started contacting a wide range of places, from music festivals to local libraries to schedule performances. She passed up a prestigious spot at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute this summer to pursue her passion of giving back through music. Among the festivals they have visited this summer are the Marblehead Arts Festival, Somersworth Children’s Festival, and Old Homes Days of Plaistow, NH. As a result of their efforts, CureSearch, has been receiving support and donations from town committees and audience members. Anna shares more about her summer experiences:

At the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (Courtesy Heartstrings Facebook Page)

We’re having an amazing time!! Being able to interact with our audiences at these events has been especially rewarding for us. At festivals, it’s easy for people come up to talk to us about what we’re doing this summer. Everyone has been so supportive! We especially love when we can fulfill requests of favorite classical pieces, and make our performances more personal and exciting. The informal atmosphere is like none we’ve performed in before, but it’s refreshing! Classical music doesn’t need to be “stuffy”, after all!

At Plaistow Old Home Day (Courtesy Heartstings Facebook Page)

One of my favorite moments was at the Somersworth Children’s festival, when Keith showed a little girl – she was probably 5 or 6 – how to play the cello. It’s fun to let kids try my harp, too – they’re always so excited to get involved. It’s great to see how interested they are in classical music!

There have also been more emotional moments, though. At the Marblehead Arts Festival Street Fair, we talked to a woman who’s son had died of cancer a year and a half before. I think we all poured our hearts into the music a little more after that. And last week, we played at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, Maine. We set up in a beautiful Atrium, and the music could travel into surrounding patient’s rooms. Hopefully we made their day a little brighter!

There are many more events we’re looking forward to in August, including two performances at Yankee Homecoming in Newburyport, a performance at Old Sturbridge Village, and multiple private functions – all raising money for CureSearch, of course. In fact, so many opportunities have come up this summer, we’ve decided to continue playing together in the fall. There is just so much more we want to do (plus, there’s nothing better than playing with friends)!! Once the school year starts, and there are no more fun-summer-busking opportunities, we’ll be putting together chamber concerts. We’ll also be giving classical music programs for kids – which we’re developing now – at elementary schools and libraries.

At the Marblehead Arts Street Festival

*We recently received an update from Anna on her travels and performances with Heartstrings. They performed at the Yankee Homecoming Festival in Newburyport, MA, and were part of that festival’s Family Day at Maudslay Park, then visited Old Sturbrudge Village in Sturbridge, MA. Anna shares more on future plans for the group:

We’ll be playing a couple of private functions… and then we’ll start doing concerts! We’ll soon have a date for our first fall chamber concert. Also, any new events will be posted on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heartstrings/110695205643361?ref=ts.

Family Day at Maudslay Park

To learn more about the Heartstrings initiative and their inspiring story, visit their Facebook page. We will also keep you posted on further developments with the group here on our blog. Take a moment to visit the CureSearch website to help support finding the cure for children’s cancer.

We recently received an amazing email from alum and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Bella Markham, who you may remember had a fantastic Arts Leadership project we profiled a few weeks ago.  We share her thoughts below on how the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award has changed her life.

Mr. Perlman and Bella

When I received the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award last year, the first thing that I considered was attending the Perlman Music Program again (PMP). Last summer (2009) I spent 6 1/2 weeks on Shelter Island, New York studying under the direction of Itzhak and Toby Perlman. It was the most amazing staff of instructors. I studied with Heidi Castleman, one of the most incredible viola instructors I have ever studied with. It was the most inspirational and challenging musical experience that I have ever had. It was there, last summer that I made the decision that I wanted to be a professional violist for a lifelong career! I knew that my goal was to make this program a part of my education and development as a musician an annual priority. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation made it possible for me to attend again this summer! It truly was a gift not only to me but to others in the world that I can share with.

A typical day at PMP would start off with breakfast, some aerobics class to pump us up for practicing, then practice time from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, of course with 10 minute breaks at each hour. After lunch, we usually have chamber rehearsals and coaching with the head chamber instructor Merry Peckham. If time allows then it’s always nice to go relax on the beach or go swimming! Sometimes I took my sketchbook to draw the beautiful outlook on the beach. At 5:00, we all go to chorus where we have a wide variety of music to sing, from Mozart’s Requiem to Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. I never imagined myself being able to sing such amazing works of music, chorus is so much fun! After chorus, we have dinner. And let me tell you, there will never be a camp that has better food than PMP! For example, we have a special Korean Barbeque every year. It’s my favorite dinner! After dinner, we have orchestra in which Mr. Perlman, or “Mr. P” as we all call him, conducts us. We do orchestra for about 2 hours and by 10:00 P.M. it’s the “little’s” curfew time. When it comes to the weekends, we have many outreach opportunities such as going to perform at Vineyards and High schools and so many cool places.

But one of the most special things at PMP is the friendships that are formed. It’s so refreshing in a sense to be able to connect with other young people that are the same age as you. And it’s not awkward to have musical conversations or talk about what pieces you are working on. It’s so inspiring to be around them. I encourage you to go online to www.perlmanmusicprogram.org to read more about the program and the faculty and how to attend. PMP is such an amazing place. There will never be enough words to express my love for PMP.

Here at From the Top it’s wonderful to hear how young artists’ lives have been positively influenced by the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. We look forward to many exciting things from Bella in the future!

If you reside in Boston, make sure to mark your calendars for December 5, 2010 – From the Top alum and violinist Caroline Goulding will be appearing at 1:30pm at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as part of their Sunday concert series. She’ll perform a few different pieces and will be accompanied by Shuai Wang on the piano.

Caroline Goulding in 2008 at the Cincinnati, Ohio show

Caroline has been on From the Top’s NPR radio show twice: In 2006 she wowed listeners with Sonatensatz in C Minor by Johannes Brahms at the Granville, Ohio show. Two years later  she performed III. Allegro molto from Concerto for Violin, Piano & Strings in D minor by Felix Mendelssohn in Cincinnati, Ohio. She also appeared on PBS’ From the Top at Carnegie Hall.

Caroline’s repertoire for the Gardner concert includes:

• Corigliano: The Red Violin Caprices
• Beethoven: Sonta No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12
• Tartini/Kreisler: Violin Sonata in G minor, “Devil’s Trill”
• Respighi: Sonata in B minor
• Stravinsky: Tango
• Stravinsky: Scherzo from The Firebird

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

On Friday, July 30 pianist George Li, who performed on From the Top’s 2006 show in Boston and appeared on the PBS show From the Top at Carnegie Hall, won first place at Oberlin College’s Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition. He won with Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, with Jahja Ling conducting The Cleveland Orchestra in Severance Hall.

George Performs on From the Top with the Vivace Trio

George has received $10,000 as well as concert engagements with orchestras in Beijing and Shanghai, China, and a full, four-year scholarship to the conservatory!

More information about the competition is available here.

Nice work and congrats, George!

Great news from Roberto Granados, a From the Top alum from our Lubbock, Texas show.  He was recently contacted by the California Symphony, who requested he join them on May 1, 2011 to perform three movements from Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez.”  He has commissioned a local luthier to have a special classical guitar made for this event.

This past January, Roberto had the opportunity to to play with Jon Anderson of the English progressive rock band Yes at Tony LaRussa’s 2010 Stars to the Rescue benefit for the Animal Rescue Foundation.  They performed an abridged version of “And You and I” and “Time and A Word.”

Roberto and Jon Anderson, 2010

Roberto’s father reveals:

Prior to Jon going on stage to introduce Roberto, Roberto told Jon that while he was waiting at the hotel he had come up with an ending that he had arranged for “Time and A Word” that he wanted to play.  Jon nodded in agreement, as he walked on stage.  At the end of the piece, Roberto played the ending he had arranged.  You could not hear a pin drop in the packed theatre, and the expression of Jon’s face, hearing for the first time what Roberto had put together, showed he was deeply moved.  It was spectacular!

Currently Roberto is studying with Grisha Goryachev, an accomplished flamenco and classical guitarist who attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston studying under Eliot Fisk. Last year he played for From the Top at the Emmys; you can read more about it here.

Violinist Stephen Waarts, who appeared on our 2009 show in Stanford, California, has been busy this summer!

After winning second place in the Menuhin Competition earlier this year, Stephen performed with two symphonies in California – on May 23rd he played Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 with the Prometheus Symphony and on June 6 he performed Brahms Violin Concerto with Symphony Parnassus. Take a look at the video of his Symphony Parnassus performance below.

Right now, Stephen is participating in the six week Perlman Music Program in Shelter Island, NY, headed by violinist Itzhak Perlman. Afterwards, he is going to the Summit Music Festival, also in NY, by invitation of acclaimed violinist Aaron Rosand, who is heading an intensive violin program. In both camps he will perform as a soloist, in chamber groups, and as part of orchestras.

Mid-August Stephen will return home to California, where he will get ready to perform Paganini Concerto No. 2 with Redwood Symphony on September 19, 25. It doesn’t stop there – In October he will play Mozart Concerto No. 5 with Solano Symphony, and Paganini Concerto No. 1 with Winchester Orchestra.

More information about Stephen and links to his performances on YouTube are on his website.

We just got word that 14-year-old violinist Stephen Kim, who appeared on our radio show in Mobile, Alabama in January 2009, recently won two musical awards.

Stephen Kim Performs on Show 193 in Alabama

He received the Gold Medal in the 11th California International Young Artists Violin Competition in San Diego on June 13, which he shared with a 24 year old violinist. Stephen also won 3rd prize in the 2nd Stradivarius International Violin Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah this July.

But that’s not all – Stephen also has three big performances coming up.

On August 15 he will perform as a soloist  with The Bear Valley Symphony Orchestra, where he’ll play the Shostakovich Concerto in the closing concert of the Bear Valley Music Festival.

He will perform the Tchaikovsky Concerto on September 25 with the Fremont Symphony Orchestra in the opening concert. Then in November, he will perform the Shostakovich Concerto again with the California Youth Symphony.

Great work and good luck, Stephen!

Bella with Fellow Performers at the El Dorado Retirement Center

We love when From the Top performers take Arts Leadership to the next level – 14 year-old violist Isabella Markham, a Jack Kent Cook Young Artist, has done just that by organizing a small concert series for a retirement center with the help of her brother and seven friends.  She titled the performance “Bella Palooza” and it took place on March 7, 2010 at the El Dorado; an independent retirement home located in Richardson, TX. The program included works for cello, violin, viola, and piano. Bella chose this project to provide seniors a fun break from their daily routine. Through the performance, Bella hoped to show that musicians her age still care for elderly people, and that music is a universal form of communication. A talented artist as well as a musician, Bella also created beautiful, hand-drawn flyers to promote the event.

Bella's Concert Program Art

Bella on "From the Top"

“I strongly believe that our culture tends to forget about the elderly and aging. A lot of these people are lonely and they don’t get enough love. Everyone needs someone to look forward to, and I think music makes a person’s heart happy.”

-Bella Markham

The El Dorado Dining Hall

We asked Bella a few questions about the performance and the overall experience:

Bella with pianist Evan Ritter

From the Top: How did you come up with your project idea?

Bella: I chose this activity because I wanted the old folks to have something exciting and new to look forward to in their daily schedule. It seems that they are forgotten sometimes, so I wanted to share the gift of music with them.

From the Top: What was the experience like for you? Did you have a favorite moment?

Bella: The experience was so inspiring and enriching! I would definitely love to do something like this again. Although it was a little bit stressful in having the complete responsibility to coordinate the entire event, it was all worth it in the end.

My favorite moment was after the performance. I went around to each table to talk to the old folks and asked them what they thought about the performance. Their faces beamed with joy and they even wanted me to come back and perform again! I loved seeing them so happy.

From the Top: What do you think the audience took away from the event?

Bella: I think the audience took away the joy and love for music. They truly enjoyed seeing us young performers perform for them. I would never be able to describe how happy they were, they were so overwhelmed with joy.

From the Top: What did you learn from this experience?

Bella: I learned that no matter who you are or what you do, music can connect and communicate to anyone! In my opinion, music truly is a wonder to the universe.

From the Top: Do you think this type of experience can help your development as a musician? How?

Bella: Definitely, yes. This is an extremely humbling experience and reminds me all the time of how fortunate and blessed I am. I think this is why I gravitate towards this particular group of people. I know that my presence and sharing of music genuinely touches their hearts as well as mine. Also, I know that I’m making a difference.

From the Top: What advice would you give other musicians interested in doing a similar project?

Bella: Definitely choose a softer selection of pieces to perform. The old folks seem to enjoy the softer pieces a lot. Also, prepare to talk and introduce yourself to them, this seems to make the performance more intimate and enjoyable. It’s also good to go around and talk with them after the performance; they love to talk with you about what a joy it was to have you perform.

Earlier this year, 13-year-old John Ringor (Show #202 and #206 ) and 17-year-old Joshua Jones (TV Episode 201, Show #171 and  #206), both Chicago percussionists and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award recipients, gave a performance and demonstration for children and their families at the Chicago Symphony Center. They were joined by eight of their colleagues from the Percussion Scholarship Group (PSG), a program affiliated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (an ensemble of which appeared on From the Top’s Show #206), that provides free lessons and percussion instruments to students from the Chicago area – an inspiring example of arts leadership itself!

John, Josh, and members of the Percussion Scholarship Group at the Chicago Symphony Center

Their concert was part of the CSO’s Caminos a la Musica: a program that provides lower-income families the opportunity to see and experience classical music in a professional setting.

(We) chose to perform for kids because they are the people of the future; they will be the ones to shape the future of music. These people need to realize just how important music is so that they can help promote and support it.” – John

“(We) wanted to spread knowledge about percussion and the PSG, and also I wanted to incorporate members of the group in this performance. Kind of like a family affair.” -Josh

We asked John and Josh to share more about their project:

John, Josh, and the PSG performing at the Chicago Symphony Center

FTT: What was the experience like for you? Did you have a favorite moment?

Josh: I had fun performing for the children, and their reaction was priceless. As loud as we were, I was expecting them to cover their ears, but the adults were the only ones with their ears covered.

John: Perhaps my favorite moment of the whole performance was seeing how happy all the kids were. The looks on their faces when we started things off with a bang and when I was doing all sorts of stick tricks in a solo were so gratifying. They looked like they really enjoyed our performance and had fun and a genuine interest in our music. That feeling of appreciation I got from them was the best part of this whole experience.

FTT: What do you think the audience took away from the event?

John: I think that they developed a new interest and appreciation for percussion and music that is not normally heard on the radio or is mainstream. They really seemed interested in the instruments and music we played so I think that one day they too will want to play an instrument.

Josh: Probably the point that was received by the audience was that percussion is a fun instrument to play, and it takes hard work to achieve a high level on any instrument that they may decide to take up, or anything they decide to do in life.

FTT: What did you learn from the experience?

Josh: I experienced how the sound was much bigger in a smaller room, so we had to play softer in order to not over power and frighten the children. It was kind of funny actually.

John: I learned that organizing such an event is no easy task. At times it was difficult getting everyone together and having rehearsals, but we eventually worked things out. Mostly I learned to just have fun. When I have fun then everyone else senses that and tries to have fun as well. By enjoying myself and keeping a positive attitude the performance was wonderful and the kids had a great time.

FTT: Do you think this type of experience can help your development as a musician? How?

John: It’s taught me the value of planning, organization, teamwork, and showmanship. I learned that just like in an orchestra or in an ensemble, teamwork and communication was essential both for playing musically together as well as running the show.

Josh: Instead of regurgitating music that we memorize, connecting with the audience can ease some of the nerves we may have as musicians when we perform and it tells us even more what the audience wants out of a concert.

FTT: What advice would you give other musicians interested in doing a similar project?

Josh: Don’t be afraid to try new things as you go. Always have a set goal, but if there is room for improvisation, take full advantage of it.

John: Just have fun with it. If the audience sees you having fun then they will too and that’s the secret to success.

From the Top alum William Harvey‘s musical organization, Cultures in Harmony, is hosting a student music group from Zimbabwe August 4-25, 2010 in New York City and Washington D.C.

Onias Horiwa and William Harvey, July 2006. Photo courtesy of Cultures in Harmony

Cultures in Harmony has worked with this group, comprised of leader Onias Horiwa, eight students, and one teacher  from Eaglesvale High School, in Zimbabwe in the past through two music projects: Sound of Water, Sound of Hope and Give Children Musical Instruments. Now William and his crew welcome these old friends to America.

Their trip will be filled with activities including “creative workshops at Culturarte, a picnic in New York’s Central Park with Cultures in Harmony volunteers, a performance featuring Onias Horiwa on mbira and Cultures in Harmony musicians in New York City, and workshops and other activities led by Dawn Smith and Ryan Murphy, Cultures in Harmony project participants who have been to Zimbabwe and now reside in Washington, DC.”

William writes, “From Zimbabwe to Papua New Guinea to Pakistan to Moldova, people with few resources other than their hospitality have generously welcomed American musicians into their homes during Cultures in Harmony projects over the past five years. Now is the US’s chance to return the favor!”

Where do YOU come in? William is looking for volunteers with a couch or extra bed who are willing to host a member of the group for all or some of their stay in New York or Washington.  Interested? Join Cultures in Harmony on Facebook and send a message to Deputy Director Sarah Frisof!

More information here.

In the beginning of June we updated you on From the Top alum Nicholas King.  This week we received more information about his summer plans to share with you.

You may remember that Nicholas mentioned throwing a private concert in July to fundraise so he can continue his studies at the world-renowned Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto – now we’ve got the details: On July 17 he will perform at the Evo Penthouse in Los Angeles, CA.  His event will include appetizers, dessert, and wine (courtesy of Truly Raw Gourmet, Tia’s Bakery, Chocovivo and Coconut Bliss) in addition to his performance. If you’re in the LA area, you should definitely check it out and help this alum stay on his musical track!  Tickets at the door are $30 each or $50 for two.

Image Courtesy of Susan von Seggern

At 3pm the very next day Nicholas will appear at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  He’s the special guest performer at the Southeast Symphony Association’s season-ending celebration. This performance will include “American Salute” by Martin Gould, “Symphonic Dances” from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, “Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 18 in C minor” by Sergei Rachmaninoff,  and “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev with a special guest celebrity narrator. Tickets are available through the Southeast Symphony Association or Ticketmaster.

Nicholas says, “I’m excited to play at Disney Hall, it’s an amazing venue! Plus doing the fundraising event in the sky above LA at the Evo will be a wonderful experience and help me further my studies. It will be a big weekend!” Check out his website for more information.

Good luck Nicholas!

Arts Leadership is an important part of From the Top’s experience for young musicians. We encourage all our performers to give back to their communities through their music. Sahun “Sam” Hong who performed on Show #206 in Dallas, Texas, has been doing Arts Leadership outreach continually since his show taped in November, 2009.  He’s setting a great example! On June 22, 2010 Sam will play a recital in Longhorn Auditorium at Trinity Terrace for all of the residents.

Here’s a quick photo recap of his work since November:

On December 1, 2009, Sam performed for all of the fifth grade students at Tanglewood Elementary School in Fort Worth.

Sam performing between showings of the award-winning documentary of the 2009 Cliburn Competition, "A Surprise in Texas

Sam and Van Cliburn at "A Surprise in Texas" showing

Sam performing at Trinity Terrace Retirement Home in Fort Worth. He visits the residents once a week to play solo piano, accompany them singing, and do some magic tricks. This is on the second floor for residents who are unable to get out.

Sam performs for elementary students at The Cambridge School in San Diego on June 3, 2010.

Simone Performs in Highland Park

Two From the Top alums are performing in Singapore this week as part of the Great Eastern International Kids Performing Festival: violinist Simone Porter and cellist Nathan Chan.

Simone appeared on From the Top’s Highland Park, Illinois show in 2007 when was eleven years old, at which point she was basically a veteran violinist – she started playing when she was just three. In March 2008 Simone appeared on our PBS series, From the Top at Carnegie Hall. Two years later, Simone has excelled greatly and is one of five young international musicians to perform at the festival in Singapore this week.

Nathan Performs in Stanford

Cellist Nathan Chan appeared on From the Top’s December 2009 show in Stanford, California. You may not know this, but Nathan originally got into classical music as a conductor – at the age of two! He used to mimic the movements of conductors on TV and was incredibly accurate at it. Three years later he picked up a cello and began his formal study of music. Nathan’s accomplishments are many – just check out his summary on the festival website – and performing in Singapore is yet another wonderful honor for him.

Simone and Nathan, along with From the Top alum Anna DeLoi, are also featured in a 2009 BBC 4 documentary series that’s about to air on WGBH. We mentioned this mini-series, titled “The World’s Greatest Musical Prodigies,” back in April. It features a young composer and conductor from England named Alexander Prior. He’s on a mission to find the best young performing talent in the world, and he will write a multi-instrument concerto for them to perform with the Northern Sinfonia in England.

It’s a small world because Alex will actually be at Tanglewood this summer, along with our 10th Anniversary alum Keitaro Harada (saxophone/conductor).

Click here for air dates/times of this show.

From the Top alum Ren Martin-Doike, who appeared on Show #192 in Indianapolis, Indiana,  just got back from an incredible 3 week concert tour to Argentina with Indiana University’s Violin Virtuosi.  They traveled the country, playing in concert halls such as the beautiful Teatro El Circulo.  Ren says, “meeting with audience members after concerts — though the language barrier sometimes renders communication difficult — is a testament to how universal the ‘language’ of music is.”

Here’s a nice article on the Indiana University Newsroom that talks about this trip as well as the Virtuosi members’ histories.

Ren Martin-Doike Performing I. Presto from Sonata No. 4, Op. 23 by Ludwig Van Beethoven

This week From the Top alum Hilda Huang, who perfromed on Show #180 in Berkeley, CA, appeared on Episode 12 of From the Top at Carnegie Hall, and was the highest ranking musician in the Seventh International Würzburg J. S. Bach Competition, updated us on a couple cool opportunities she’s had.

Hilda Huang performs at a From the Top taping on May 29, 2008 at UC Berkeley

Hilda recently appeared in a full-length documentary called “Bach & Friends.”  This isn’t a movie about Johann Sebastian Bach’s life, but rather how he lives on today, through the eyes of all different types of musicians.  The documentary features performances by many talented artists, including Hilda. During the world premiere in May, 2010, Hilda gave a live performance at Symphony Space.  Take a look at the short videos, Part 1 and Part 2, outlining the event (and watch out for Hilda!)  Also, you can read some interesting comments on the premiere here.

“Bach & Friends” will premiere next in San Francisco on Wednesday, July 14, 7 p.m. at Sundance Kabuki Cinemas. More information can be found here.

Hilda’s second recent accomplishment is more virtual – Two weeks ago she visited Big Think, “a global forum connecting people and ideas,” to give a video interview on her love for Bach. She’s the youngest person who’s been interviewed with Big Think so far! The video isn’t posted quite yet, but it will be available here shortly.

Please join us in congratulating Hilda!