Category: Uncategorized

Six years after appearing on From the Top, 22-year-old alum Eliodoro Vallecillo is paying it forward in his hometown of Salinas, California. Through his own after-school music program and traditional Mexican band, he hopes to develop new audiences for Mexican music and offer new opportunities for kids in Salinas. Eliodoro wowed audiences on both From […]

In 2007, when composer Stephen Feigenbaum appeared on From the Top Show 152 at the age of 18, his piece “Serenade for Strings” was performed by a string quintet made up of local students. Later, the piece was was recorded by the Cincinnati Pops for the From the Top CD release “From the Top at […]

9-year-old violinist Elizabeth Aoki charmed listeners when she appeared on Show 261 in Boston, Massachusetts. During a visit to Phoenix, Arizona with her mother, Elizabeth’s musical talent also won the hearts of residents living at the Freedom Plaza Retirement Community. She worked with a family friend to organize the event and played some violin favorites […]

It’s that time of year again – The Blount-Slawson Young Artists Competition is accepting applications! Musicians in grades 7-12 can enter to win prizes including $10,000 cash, a performance with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and an appearance on From the Top! String, wind, brass, percussion, and piano students are eligible to apply. Applications must be […]

From the Top alumni are doing amazing things! This summer, it seemed like every time we fired up the old internet-machine, we saw news of another From The Top alum making waves in the world of music and beyond. In the coming weeks, we’ll be updating you on a plethora of From the Top alumni. […]

This May, two of our very own alums will be featured on HBO with critically acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming! Mezzo soprano Samantha Hankey (a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist from Show #226 in Boston) and baritone Sean Plum (Show #201 in Boston) will be featured in HBO’s “Renée Fleming: a YoungArts MasterClass,” revealing the ambition […]

“(This event) made me realize what kids can accomplish when given the necessary support from role models in their community. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to enrich the lives of…youth in my own community.” Bassoonist Sandra Bailey understands the value of outlining goals to help achieve one’s dreams. Wanting to share this […]

Friday, April 6th, began the 2012 Menuhin International Violin Competition, taking place in Beijing. Among the 42 competitors, From the Top was represented by 11 alumni, including: Among Senior competitors (under 22): 1. Hannah Cho (Show 209/Waimea) 2. Piotr Filochowski (Show 149/Mercersburg) 3. Eric Gratz (Show 177/New Albany & Show 180/Berkeley) 4. Zenas Hsu (Show […]

From the Top and Carnegie Hall are pleased to announce the results of the Big Break – our first online competition for America’s young classical musicians! Selected by popular vote, our Grand Prize Winner is 17-year-old percussionist Marcelina Suchocka from Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Suchocka is a student at Chicago’s Whitney M. Young Magnet High School […]

Yesterday we recorded an episode of From the Top in Abilene, Texas, which will air the week of December 27. Our presence in the town actually inspired 2nd and 4th grade classes at Allie Ward Elementary School to put on their own radio project! You can listen to the podcast about this production by Zane […]

We are excited to partner with Carnegie Hall to announce the Big Break – a new online contest that offers young musicians the chance to compete for a spot on NPR’s From the Top  radio broadcast, hosted by Christopher O’Riley, as well as an opportunity to grace the stage at Carnegie Hall, performing in a […]

So often on this blog we highlight the accomplishments of our young musicians, but today we’re turning the spotlight on our very own host, Christopher O’Riley. As an acclaimed pianist, Christopher doesn’t just host From the Top. He does concerts around the country and is a Distinguished Visiting Artist at Louisiana State University in Baton […]

We just got word that 14-year-old violinist Stephen Kim, who appeared on our radio show in Mobile, Alabama in January 2009, recently won two musical awards. He received the Gold Medal in the 11th California International Young Artists Violin Competition in San Diego on June 13, which he shared with a 24 year old violinist. […]

We have been avidly following the progress of Musical Diplomacy, the brainchild of From the Top’s Margaret Stewart Lindsay Arts Leadership Grant recipients Brian Kaufman and Michael Reichman. After an entire year of planning and organizing, their dream of using music to bring together leading policymakers, teachers, musicians, and concerned citizens was finally realized at the […]

Way back in 1998 before we hit the airwaves, From the Top taped their pilot episode at Jordan Hall. One of the featured performers was violinist William Harvey, then 15 years old, from Indiana. We’ve blogged about his accomplishments since then, and today we have another exciting opportunity of his to share with you. This […]

We just got a neat update from composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (aka DBR).  A few weeks ago we featured a blog he wrote on Musical Diplomacy and Good, Long Hugs.  These days he’s been collaborating with the Boston Pops to work with young musicians in Boston area schools.  Check out this video for an overview […]

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 […]

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Chairman and dear friend Francis O. Hunnewell. Read more about our fearless leader on our web site.

Yesterday, Christopher O’Riley and Tour Producer David Balsom spent the day in Baton Rouge at the Louisiana State University College of Music and Dramatic Arts to announce the launch of a new partnership. LSU has named Chris its first Distinguished Visiting Artist from 2010 to 2013 and has invited From the Top to record an […]

This week’s episode of From the Top features violinist Melissa White, member of the Harlem Quartet. Quoted by the Lansing State Journal, Melissa says: “I’m living my dream because I’m playing my violin and getting paid for it,” she said. “I was so impressed with [the performers on the From the Top broadcast taped in […]