From the Top Fellows come from nearly every corner of the United States and attend a myriad of different academic schools. Today we’re pleased to shine the light on young musicians who are connected to Arts Schools Network (ASN), a national community of schools, educators, and organizations committed to advancing excellence in arts education.

Arts Schools Network (ASN) members represent a wide range of schools and communities across the country.  Their network include arts boarding schools like Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan to public arts high schools like Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas.

Pianist Henry Hewitt, 16, from Mobile, Alabama, attends Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham (ASN member). He recorded with From The Top at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 2026. (PC: Abraham Rowe)

Like From the Top, ASN schools and educators are giving young artists amazing opportunities to cultivate their artistic passion in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. From the Top shares ASN’s belief in the transformative power of the arts for young people. Through From the Top’s Fellowship, we support young artists in a critical time in their development. We strive to open their eyes to the wide career possibilities available to artists and give them the confidence and platform to share their voice and their artistry with the world. Over the years we’ve featured countless young musicians benefitting from these programs and many of these students were recipients of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award.

Thanks to a partnership with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, From the Top has also provided more than $4.4 million in awards to young musicians with financial need over the past 20 years. This program funds specific expenses related to a young artist’s musical education such as instrument purchases, summer program tuition, college audition travel and more. Each year, From the Top gives about 20 awards of up to $10,000. This program has changed the lives of more than 440 young artists over the years.

Soprano Taylor-Marie Robinson

Taylor-Marie Robinson, a recent graduate of Arts School Network member the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, South Carolina, is a recipient of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award and completed From the Top’s Fellowship this spring, participating in workshops and appearing on the NPR broadcast.

Taylor-Marie came from Carolina High School in Greenville, South Carolina, where 100% of students qualified for free lunch and access to robust arts training was limited. Through intentional outreach, she attended a summer intensive at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, a public high school dedicated to the arts. There, Mrs. Danielle Knox, a voice instructor, heard something in her and invited her to enroll.

At the time, few knew Taylor Marie’s story or the barriers she had faced, including her experience with homelessness. What was undeniable, however, was the artistry already present: passion, beauty, and a voice that carried something deeper.

What followed is exactly what arts education makes possible, for in the voice studio, Taylor Marie discovered a love for classical music and opera. Her potential became purpose. And she flourished.

Today, she has earned state and national recognition as a young opera soprano. She received From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award , completed From the Top’s Fellowship, and performed on From the Top’s NPR broadcast sharing not only her voice but also her story, one that speaks to strength, resilience, opportunity, and the life-changing impact of being seen and supported.

From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award covered Taylor-Marie’s college audition travel expenses, affording her the opportunity to be accepted into the prestigious program at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

“Her journey is not an exception; it is a reminder. There are students like Taylor-Marie in every community. They are waiting for someone to recognize their potential, to open a door, and to say, “You belong here.” Arts schools do that. Arts educators do that. And when they do, lives change,” says Nicole Michel, Arts Schools Network Managing Director.

From the Top accepts Fellowship applications on a rolling basis. Our next Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award deadline is November 9 and is the last opportunity for high school seniors to apply. Learn more at fromthetop.org/apply and please feel free to reach out to auditions@fromthetop.org with any questions.

Meet a few other Arts Schools Network/From the Top Alumni!

There are many From the Top alumni who have attended an Arts Schools Network program. Here are just a few:

Booker T Washington School for the Arts, Dallas, Texas

Pianist Tinashe McGowan completed the From the Top Fellowship and appeared on the broadcast during his senior year at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Cab Callaway School of the Arts, Wilmington, Delaware

Gabriela Salvador Riera

Violinist Gabriela Salvador Riera appeared on From the Top at age 16 and received the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award while attending the Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington, Delaware.

Chicago High School for the Arts, Chicago, Illinois

Bassoonist Fabrizio Milcent completed From the Top’s Fellowship and received the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award at age 17 while attending the Chicago High School for the Arts.

Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada

Guitarist Brady Davis was a student at Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts when he appeared on From the Top. Receiving the  Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award helped Brady purchase a high-quality guitar that will carry him through college and into the professional field.

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, New York, New York

Richard Celiceo

Violinist Richard Celiceo just graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. He completed From the Top’s Fellowship and was named a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award recipient in 2026. He’ll be featured on From the Top’s broadcast during the week of November 2 on Show 487.