Blog/News

Sure, there’s lots of practicing, and pacing, and getting ready for a big performance. But there’s also a lot of laughs.

Angelica Hairston knows how to make a harp sing. You may have first heard her work her magic when she performed on NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley Show 228 in Athens, Georgia, at age 17. “It was such a blast to be a part of something that was simultaneously youthful and innovative, and […]

If you’ve been on From the Top and you have something to say – and a pencil – then we’re looking for you! We’ve got a cool opportunity to blog on the Huffington Post, and naturally, we think you, our young musicians, have great stories to tell. So, we have a challenge for you. Send us a […]

CORRECTED VERSION: We accidentally hit publish too soon on this post last week. In this version, we use the proper spelling of “app”, and fixed some links. Thanks for your patience.  Dear From the Top mobile app users, We’re sad to share the news that as of February 29, 2016, we are shutting down our […]

You know the drill, musical parents. You pour your heart and soul in to your child’s musical training, but there are always those little things that make you crazy. Lucky for you, our musical mom has all…well, some…of the answers! Subscribe to our YouTube channel for musical tips like this new one about practicing a […]

Pianist Maxim Lando appeared on Show 283, recorded in Boston in February 2014, at age 11. Since then, he has gone on to do great things with his music, including a special collaboration with Lang Lang, and winning major competitions. Recently, we chatted with him about his inspirations, favorites, and plans for the future.  Q: What […]

Super Bowl 50 is coming! On Sunday, February 7 on CBS, Peyton Manning and Cam Newton will face off on the football field. But before then, we were thinking that the CBS opening theme could use a little From the Top-style interpretation. Who better to play it than two outstanding From the Top piano alumni? […]

A sunny day in Boston. A few classical music stars head out to do some busking. Three young From the Top musicians have a different plan. We hope you enjoy our latest video, a rocking classical cover of Taylor Swift’s Grammy-nominated hit, Shake it Off.

By Janet Fagan, Recruitment & Alumni Relations Assistant…and long-time From the Top fan. I owe my love of From the Top to one woman – Barbara Nakazawa, my daughter’s flute teacher. “You must listen to this show called From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley,” she told us years ago. “It’s terrific!” We took her advice […]

Pianist Youlan Ji performed on Show 309, recorded in July 2015, at age 15. She was also a recipient of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Everyone who receives this award is required to do an arts leadership outreach project where they take their music beyond the concert hall and out into the community. Here, Youlan describes […]

Dear Friends, After 12 years, hundreds of radio shows, and countless other productions including two seasons of Emmy-winning television, our long-time music director Tom Vignieri is officially moving on. Tom, his wife Alison, and their two children have relocated to the English countryside to be closer to family in Devon and to give Tom the […]

By Linda Gerstle, Director of Education & Community Partnerships The Friday afternoon school assembly is a time honored tradition in many schools. A chance to connect with friends and teachers outside of class as the week winds down – it’s a moment that many of us recall so many years later. And so it was at […]

This is the music you are looking for, Star Wars fans. In honor of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, opening in theaters December 18th, we present three delightful young pianists who aren’t afraid to tickle the ivories while dressed in Halloween costumes. A From the Top video. 2015, all rights reserved www.fromthetop.org www.facebook.com/fromthetopfans www.twitter.com/classicalkid …

Janet Fagan is From the Top’s Recruitment & Alumni Relations Assistant and recently hosted a Groupmuse event at her home in Newton. It was such a privilege to have nine From the Top alumni performers visit my home on Saturday night – I never dreamed that I could have such beautiful music performed in my […]

Performing and serving with organizations like From the Top help us recognize that identity and community extend beyond sticky labels of race, gender, nationality, or economic status – these experiences reveal that we are part of a community bound by the sacrifice and diligence required to develop and maintain mastery of our art. Whether in […]

Each year, the YoungArts Foundation hosts a prestigious competition for outstanding young musicians. Like peanut butter to jelly, our young musicians match well with this great organization. Here’s the official list of all From the Top alums who are YoungArts finalists and honorable mentions for the upcoming year! Congrats to all of these fantastic players. Click on […]

Recently, we caught up with From the Top alum George Li while he was in town preparing for our recording of NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley at Jordan Hall (airing the week of 11/30/15 nationally). This past summer, George received a silver medal at the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, making him the highest placing American […]

  What is #GivingTuesday? We all know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday…#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving. On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, From […]

Keitaro Harada first appeared on Show 91, recorded at the Interlochen Arts Academy in 2003, at the age of 18. Then, he came back for From the Top’s 10th Anniversary celebration on Show 216 in 2010 at age 25. Recently, From the Top’s Admissions & Alumni Relations Assistant Janet Fagan caught up with him. Here’s what he’s up to now! […]

Fall has just begun, and we already have lots to catch up on! We’ve produced four shows over the past few weeks, and it’s been quite the whirlwind of activity. We started out in Atlanta, Georgia, where we recorded a show at Emory University’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. The Schwartz Center is home […]