Alum Goes to the Oscars

Aaron Wolff (right) at the Film Independent's Spirit Awards in Los Angeles. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America.

16-year-old cellist and budding actor Aaron Wolff, who appeared on From the Top last spring, has had a busy few weeks. “A Serious Man,” the Coen brothers film in which he plays the son of physics professor Larry Gopnik, was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards. Aaron flew to Los Angeles for Oscar weekend, where he visited the Pacific Ocean, the Hollywood Bowl, and Disney Concert Hall. The cast won the Robert K. Altman Award, presented at the Film Independent’s Spirit Awards ceremony on March 5th.

The excitement didn’t end after the Oscars. Just two days after returning home to Newton, MA, Aaron won first prize in the Boston Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. He will be appearing as a soloist with the Boston Pops in an upcoming concert. The other first prize winner, cellist Jonah Ellsworth, is also a From the Top alum!

Despite his busy schedule, Aaron still makes time to host parties for his friends. Recently, he invited more than 50 music lovers from his high school to a “tea barn” at his house. He explains that a tea barn is kind of like a 1960s musical coffee house—only you drink tea (instead of coffee) while lounging on couches or sprawled out on the floor (instead of sitting at tables). Aaron even sang a few songs, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and cello.