Celebrating the From the Top Family: Gala 2015

If you’re here, that means you’re part of the From the Top family…Michael Thurber, alum and gala performer

And if you’re reading this, you are too. We’re grateful for every single one of you, as we couldn’t do what we do without your support: listening to our NPR radio show, sharing our videos and stories, and making generous donations to support our young musicians.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015, marked the annual From the Top Gala, which took place at the beautiful MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts. More than 200 guests raised more than $450,000, and celebrated the impact From the Top’s young musicians have had since our first radio show back in 1999. From a 9-year-old pianist to some of our most accomplished alumni, it was a hopeful, funny, and heartwarming evening. Enjoy more photos and video below, or browse the event flickr gallery.

Kicking things off in style, the Excelsis Percussion Quartet.

Dinner is served. Check out that view!

Soprano Kresley Figueroa

9-year-old pianist Oscar Paz-Suaznabar (who was also heard on NPR’s All Things Considered that day), and his yellow sneakers. 

The Sempre Sisters, Charlotte (violin) and Olivia (cello) Marckx, chat with Christopher O’Riley before wowing the crowd with some Mendelssohn. 

The grand finale, featuring all musicians, plus our host Christopher O’Riley, and a special guest violinist.

All photos were taken by the talented and delightful Caitlin Cunningham. Video footage of the live feed of the finale provided by Dave Jamrog.