Blog/News

From the Top Announces Pianist Simone Dinnerstein as additional Guest Host for 2018–2019 National Tour Boston, Massachusetts (February 7, 2019)– From the Top, the nationwide program distributed by NPR that showcases classically-trained young musicians, is very pleased to announce that American pianist Simone Dinnerstein, known for her “majestic originality of vision” (Independent), will guest …

Dear friends: Happy New Year from all of us at From the Top! I hope you enjoyed a joyous and relaxing holiday season with loved ones. As a new calendar year begins, I would like to share several exciting updates taking place at FTT over the next several months: Boston Programs In 2019, FTT will […]

With 2018 solidly behind us, we finally had the chance to look back, take stock, and pull out some of our favorite moments from last year. From fantastically fun videos to empowering young musicians to make an impact in their community, 2018 was a year to remember. 1: Two of our music videos were included in WQXR’s […]

Soprano Lauren Michelle, a native of Los Angeles and a 2001 Walnut Hill School for the Arts graduate, appeared on From the Top’s first ever recording at the Tanglewood Music Center in July, 1999. She will return to From the Top on February 3, 2019 in Boston, guest hosted by actor Lawrence Gilliard Jr. Tickets and […]

We’re thrilled to have commissioned a new work from alum composer Karalyn Schubring in celebration of our 2018 #Note4Note Campaign! Learn more about the campaign (and see why this commission is extra special) by clicking here. You were featured on From the Top as a composer and pianist when you were 17, at what age […]

This excerpt was taken from Akili Farrow’s on-air segment on NPR’s From the Top Show 359 from Kennett Square, PA. Akili, the Brahms is so beautiful and such an intense and dramatic piece of music that ends in this grand manner. How do you bring it to life? How do you bring out the drama? I used to […]

Gretchen Nielsen, Executive Director of From the Top, is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Borababy as Director of Development and External Relations. Nielsen said, “Emily brings to From the Top exceptional expertise and a deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape. We are thrilled to welcome Emily to From the Top as Director of […]

Live recordings of popular NPR classical music show will feature a variety of hosts, co-hosts, and guest artists Boston, Massachusetts (October 30, 2018)– From the Top, the nationwide program distributed by NPR that showcases young classical musicians, is very pleased to announce that actor Lawrence Gilliard Jr. (The Wire, The Walking Dead, The Deuce) and […]

“Kairos” – the decisive time for opportunity and action – captures the essence of ambition and boldness found in these four young artists. Kairos Quartet was formed in September of 2017 when all four students were scholarship recipient Fellows at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, a pre-college training program for gifted musicians. They won the […]

An exploratory artist, outspoken activist, influential educator, and possessor of one of the most personal and expressive pianistic styles in improvised music, Fred Hersch has led a singular life that has shaped one of the most acclaimed and influential voices in modern jazz, and he’ll share that experience with From the Top in an upcoming taping in […]

Live recordings of popular NPR classical music show will feature a variety of hosts, co-hosts, and guest artists Boston, Massachusetts (Updated February 7, 2019) – From the Top, the nationwide program distributed by NPR that showcases young classical musicians, announced today the lineup of renowned artists who will host, co-host, or appear as special guests […]

From the Top returns to our home concert hall, New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston, on Sunday, October 14 at 2PM. The show brings back alum Yuga Cohler as Guest Host. Yuga is a respected conductor, recently receiving critical acclaim for “Yeethoven” at Lincoln Center – a concert comparing the works of Kanye West and Beethoven.  At […]

Hina Khuong-Huu (violin), 13, started to play the violin when she was three years old. She has won top prizes at the Osaka International Competition, the Grumiaux Competition, and Il Piccolo Violino Magico, and competed in the Menuhin Competition. She has attended the Musica Mundi Chamber Music Course and Festival in Belgium, and currently attends […]

This article is part of our ongoing series exploring the projects launched by the recipients of our Alumni Leadership Grant. As a Masters student at Harvard, From the Top alumna Karen Cueva had long been well aware of her passion for integrating the arts with social justice and education. During her studies, she co-founded the  […]

Dear fans, Below is a press release we released earlier this morning regarding Christopher O’Riley’s contract. This is a big change, and we welcome you to submit questions or feedback at info@fromthetop.org, or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/fromthetopfans. Sincerely, All of us at From the Top From the Top announced today that the organization will not […]

“I have never experienced something so impactful and so purposeful like the mission of From the Top. I am beyond inspired by their vision and their work – I will continue to share their mission and never forget the impact every performer can have on any audience!!!” Violist Peter Dudek Show 345, Reno, NV “[The […]

On Show 338 in New York City back in 2017, From the Top pianist Coco Ma shared her passion for writing with our listeners and described the young adult fantasy novel she was working on at the time. Her novel, SHADOW FROST, was still in manuscript form at the time, but Coco allowed us to publish […]

Guitarist Nicholas Padmanabhan performed on NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley in March 2018. You can listen to his performance, airing on stations nationwide the week of May 28, 2018, here. Like all FTT performers, Nicholas went through our Arts Leadership Orientation, where he and his peers explored leadership concepts and planned for a community engagement […]

This article is part of our ongoing series exploring the projects launched by the recipients of our Alumni Leadership Grant. 2017 was the pilot year for From the Top’s Alumni Leadership Grant, which funds leadership initiatives launched by our alumni all across the country. One of those grants supported FTT alum Avik Sarkar as he spearheaded a benefit concert […]

This article is part of our ongoing series exploring the projects launched by the recipients of our Alumni Leadership Grant. We’re in the second year of offering our Alumni Leadership Grant, a program that funds arts leadership initiatives pursued by our alumni. Angelica Hairston received the grant in its pilot year, and we caught up with her about […]