Category: Alumni

“I think a lot about how, as a classical violinist, I spend so much of my energy honing my skills in a very narrow discipline. I want to find ways to use my skills to help make the world a better place.” — Caeli Smith This Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10 from 3-5 pm in […]

This month’s issue of Strings Magazine highlights emerging soloists. The magazine profiles 26-year-old violinist William Harvey who appeared on one of From the Top‘s first episodes. William will return to Boston May 3 to record a new broadcast of our show. His appearance will launch our  10th anniversary celebration, in which we will look back […]

“Concert music doesn’t have to be presented like it’s in a museum,” says 20-year-old composer Stephen Feigenbaum in an article in the Yale Daily News. “This is exactly the opposite. We want a show that can be like a rock concert, something where people can get genuinely engaged, especially young people … This music doesn’t […]

We are always thrilled to hear from our past performers, and here is another round of news from the many From the Top alumni living all over the country. Kevin Olusola writes, “I’m currently a junior at Yale University, East Asian Studies Major and Pre-Med. In Summer 2007, I was on a trip with 100 […]

Portland’s KGW Channel 8 News recently featured a segment about From the Top alum and violist Griffin Gaffney’s free lesson program. Click here to check it out!

As usual, From the Top’s amazing alumni are out and about and accomplishing great things. Here are just a few examples of recent news we have heard: The 2009 Annual Stulberg String Competition was held on Saturday in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From the Top alumni soared to the top of the competition. They include: Gold Medal […]

The YouTube Symphony just announced its final orchestra roster – including several From the Top alumni.  We’d like to take the opportunity to acknowledge all the participants who auditioned and voted in the YouTube Symphony. It’s very exciting to see such a strong showing of classical musicians and fans participating in this project. As one […]

Our congratulations and best wishes go to 20-year-old soprano and From the Top alumna Nadine Sierra, who was the only female winner in yesterday’s Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Finals in New York. Nadine first appeared on From the Top when she was 15 and wowed our audience with her beautiful performance of “O, Mio […]

Congratulations to 16-year-old Chaz Salazar on receiving From the Top’s $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. The Phoenix, Arizona flutist began studying music at his public school when he was 10 years old. He continues to study flute at Rosie’s House in Phoenix and participates in Arizona’s High School All-State Orchestra and the Phoenix […]

Last year after appearing on From the Top, 17-year-old violist Griffin Gaffney was motivated by the cultural leadership workshop to take action in his community. He was passionate about creating a sustainable free-lesson program for school children in Portland and turned to From the Top as a collaborator and resource. Griffin found a local community […]

It’s always the season to give back, and From the Top alums have been busy reaching out to help others. The following was submitted by alumna Priscella Chan: Ever since I was nine, I’ve been involved with a non-profit organization called Musical Connections, which is dedicated to spreading music awareness throughout the community in Southern […]

13-year-old Anna Lee, who has performed on From the Top’s radio and TV shows, was featured on the cover of the Wall Street Journal Magazine with her valuable violin, a loan from the Stradivari Society. Read about this amazing gift that keeps on giving. Harpist Melody Lindsay, who was on From the Top’s radio show […]