Bay Area Guitar Teacher Shares His Students with FTT for 25 Years

Do you ever wonder about the teachers behind the young musicians who appear on From the Top? Every performer is supported by mentors who guide, encourage, and inspire them along the way.

One such mentor is respected San Francisco Bay Area guitar teacher Scott Cmiel. Scott is chair of the guitar department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College division. He has been connected to From the Top since our earliest days. Over the past two and a half decades, he has had sixteen students appear on the show. He is also a proud parent of FTT alum Matthew Cmiel who appeared on the program as a composer in 2006.

girl with guitar smiles over her shoulder in a recording studio

Scott’s student Kiran Lee records in San Francisco. PC: Kristen Loken

We recently caught up with Scott to talk about his experiences with From the Top over the years from a teacher’s perspective.

FTT: You’ve had sixteen students appear on From the Top. Do you remember when that connection first began?

Absolutely. The first student I recommended was during the very first season of the show. Someone called San Francisco Conservatory looking for recommendations and I suggested a student named Max Zuckerman. He ended up appearing twice, once in Boston and later at Davies Symphony Hall.

FTT: When you talk with your students about applying, what do those conversations look like?

It’s not a hard sell. From the Top does marvelous things for students, so I simply tell them about the opportunity.

Some students already know about the program—especially if they’ve seen classmates participate—but others discover it through those conversations. At that age, students are eager to pursue meaningful opportunities, and this is one of them.

boy sits on stage playing guitar in front of a microphone.

Conor Padmanabhan on From the Top and Daily Joy.

FTT: What makes the From the Top experience so valuable for them?

Exposure is a big part of it. Being featured nationally is exciting, of course, but it’s also incredibly helpful for college applications. Right now, students are very aware of how important those applications are and experiences like this help them stand out.

And then there’s the video element. Young musicians today really connect with that. If there’s a video of their performance, it becomes something they can share and remember.

FTT: What do your students say after they’ve gone through the process?

They love it. The environment that the From the Top team creates is warm and reassuring. Recording can be stressful, but the staff helps students feel comfortable and supported.

The interviews are another highlight. The questions encourage students to think deeply about their lives and their music—how they started, what motivates them, what matters to them. That kind of reflection is incredibly valuable for young people.

In fact, one of my students later used ideas from her interview responses in her college essays. Once you’ve reflected on those experiences, it becomes easier to articulate them elsewhere.

Overall, I think From the Top provides an incredible growth experience for young musicians.

young girl plays guitar in a house in front of a sign that says 'on the air'.

Emilia Díaz Delgado plays for a From the Top virtual concert in 2020.

FTT: Do you notice any change in your students after they’ve been on the show?

Not necessarily a dramatic change. By the time a student is invited to appear on From the Top, they’ve already reached a high level musically. In many ways, the experience is a confirmation of the path they’re on.

But it is a meaningful moment. It tells them that people are listening—that their work matters.

I try to teach my students that music offers something the world needs: beauty, sincerity, even love. When they perform on a platform like this, they begin to understand that their music truly reaches others.

FTT: You’ve mentioned that you appreciate From the Top’s emphasis on community engagement. Why is that important?

It’s a wonderful aspect of the program. Music isn’t just about performing—it’s also about sharing and connecting with people.

At SF Conservatory, we encourage students to develop their own community projects. Some have started concert series in retirement homes. One student organized a performance at a nature preserve with the Audubon Society, where people came to hear music outdoors—along with the birds, another student created a TED Talk.

Experiences like that teach students that music can exist in many places, not just the concert hall.

FTT: Why do you continue recommending students to apply year after year?

It’s a beautiful opportunity. The national exposure is wonderful, the experience helps with college admissions, and most importantly, the people behind the program care deeply about the students.

The team prepares students thoughtfully, spends time getting to know them, and creates conversations that feel natural and meaningful. That care shows.