Disability, Artistry, and Community | Monday, March 16 | GBH Fraser Studio, Boston, MA and Virtual Live Stream
Hosted by From the Top’s Musicians with Disabilities Initiative | Live stream hosted by Access/VSA, A Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program.

Program

Welcome: Gretchen Nielsen, Executive Director of From the Top

Adam Mandela Walden, cello, performs The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a 13-Year-Old Boy with Autism, Mvmt IV, Elopement Tango music by Adam Mandela Walden, lyrics based on the text by Naoki Higashida.

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Julia LaGrand
Panelists: Adrian Anantawan, Ciara Moser, Ellice Patterson, Christopher Robinson 

Audience Q&A

Nicolette Sullivan-Cozza, viola and Peter Dugan, piano perform Viola Sonata in D Minor, I. Allegro moderato, by Mikhail Glinka

Special thanks to GBH and Access/VSA, A Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program.

Tune-in to From the Top’s broadcast special “Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities” on participating stations and by podcast starting April 27. Subscribe to “Daily Joy” to join the online celebration of musicians who identify as disabled and neurodivergent beginning in April.

Bios

Julia LaGrand (PC: Tim Correira)

Julia LaGrand is a violinist and disability activist from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has soloed with orchestras including the Holland Symphony, Kent Philharmonic and Baroque on Beaver Festival Orchestra, and has played in masterclasses for artists including Midori, Stefan Jackiw, and the Jasper String Quartet. In 2020, she won first prize at the Bella International Music Competition, and was a winner of the Kennedy Center’s 2024 International Young Musicians Competition. After appearing on NPR’s From the Top in 2021, she later co-hosted and co-created an episode of the show featuring young disabled musicians, which was featured in the Boston Globe as one of the “10 Most Memorable Classical Music Moments of 2023.” Based in Boston, she attends Harvard University’s dual degree program with New England Conservatory, and performs with local ensembles and organizations including Shelter Music Boston and the Berklee Inclusion Ensemble. She currently studies with Miriam Fried.

Adam Mandela Walden

Adam Mandela Walden is an award-winning cellist and autism advocate currently in his senior year at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. He was featured on From the Top in 2023. Adam was born in Los Angeles, California and began studying the cello at age 6. Diagnosed with moderate/severe autism and epilepsy at age 3, music has long been a source connection and communication for Adam. Currently, Adam is attending Berklee College of Music/Boston Conservatory at Berklee on a full academic scholarship. Adam studied classical cello at The Colburn School for The Performing Arts with Francesca Bori and graduated from Grand Arts/ Ramon C. Contines High School of Visual and Performing Arts. Adam performed with Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA). He was featured in HBO’s documentary “Autism The Musical” and “Autism: The Sequel”.  Adam composed a spoken word/cello concerto for youth orchestras with Berklee College of Music professor Eugene Freisen. The concerto is based on New York Times Best Seller Naoki Higashida’s The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism. You can view a few excerpts here.

Adrian Anantawan

Adrian Anantawan holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University and Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a violinist, he has studied with Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, and Anne-Sophie Mutter; his academic work in education was supervised by Howard Gardner. Memorable moments include performances at the White House, the Opening Ceremonies of the Athens and Vancouver Olympic Games and the United Nations. He has played for the late Christopher Reeve, Pope John Paul II, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Adrian has performed extensively in Canada as a soloist with the Orchestras of Toronto, Nova Scotia, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver. He has also presented feature recitals at the Aspen Music Festival and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. He has also represented Canada as a cultural ambassador in the 2006 Athens Olympics, and was a featured performer at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Adrian helped to create the Virtual Chamber Music Initiative at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Centre. The cross-collaborative project brings researchers, musicians, doctors and educators together to develop adaptive musical instruments capable of being played by a young person with disabilities within a chamber music setting. He is also the founder of the Music Inclusion Program, aimed at having children with disabilities learn instrumental music with their typical peers. From 2012-2016, he was the co-Director of Music at the Conservatory Lab Charter School, serving students from the Boston area, kindergarten through grade eight—his work was recognized by Mayor Marty Walsh as a ONEin3 Impact Award in 2015. Adrian is also Juno Award nominee, a member of the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, and was awarded a Diamond Jubilee Medal from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the Commonwealth. He is the current Chair of Music at Milton Academy, the Artistic Director of Shelter Music Boston and is an Associate Professor of Music at Berklee College. Throughout the year, Adrian continues to perform, speak and teach around the world as an advocate for disability and the arts.

Ciara Moser

Bassist and composer Ciara Moser has performed and recorded with artists such as Danilo Pérez, Terri Lyne Carrington, Nate Smith, Charlie Hunter, Victor Wooten, and Braxton Cook, among others. Her debut album, *Blind. So What?*, has been praised by international outlets including “Premier Guitar”, “Jazzwise”, “Bass Musician Magazine”, and national Austrian media such as ORF and Ö1. The ASCAP Foundation honored one of the album’s pieces with the “2023 Young Jazz Composers Award”, and the project led to a sold-out release tour through major Austrian venues such as Porgy & Bess Vienna and Jazzit Salzburg.Born in Dublin and raised in Austria, Moser is currently based in Boston and New York City. She holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from the “Berklee Global Jazz Institute”, where she was mentored by John Patitucci, Danilo Pérez, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Joe Lovano, as well as a master’s degree in music pedagogy from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. A versatile performer, she is active across jazz, fusion, pop, rock, world, classical, and contemporary settings, appearing in band, orchestra, ensemble, and film projects both live and in the studio. She has appeared at festivals and venues around the world—including the Chile Jazz Festival (Santiago), Hay Festival (U.K.), Paradiso Jazz Festival (Italy), Festival da Jazz St. Moritz (Switzerland), the Cultural Summit in Abu Dhabi, and major stages in Canada, Germany, Panama, Ecuador, and Austria. Beyond her performance work, she has been featured on television programs such as “Barbara Karlich” and “Vera”, and since 2019 she has hosted her own podcast, “Blind. So What?”, focusing on life and accessibility as a blind artist. Moser’s honors include being named “DownBeat Rising Star Electric Bassist of the Year 2025”, a “Next Jazz Legacy Fellow” (2024), winner of the “New Generation Jazz Lab Competition” (2024), an “ASCAP Young Jazz Composer”, a “Jazz Ahead” participantt, and recipient of awards such as the “Matt Marvuglio Student of the Year”, the Tara “Life Goes On” Award, the Johann Ratzenböck Scholarship, and first prize at Austria’s classical competition “Prima La Musica”.

Ellice Patterson

Ellice Patterson is the founder/ executive and artistic director of Abilities Dance, a Boston-based dance company that welcomes disabled and diverse artists. She currently serves on the board of Massachusetts Cultural Council and the editorial board of the Journal of Arts and Special Education. She was an artist in residence with the City of Boston’s transportation department, using dance as a way to promote more accessibility on the streets and sidewalks of the city 2022 – 2023. She has won the 2020 Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Award from Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce; the 2024 Bill Allan Award for Grassroots Advocacy from Disability Policy Consortium; and the 2025 Bioeticando Award in honor of Eugenio Maria de Hostos, a cultural keeper, philosopher, and advocate for historically marginalized communities.from Prospera Institute. Abilities Dance under her leadership has won the 2020 UP Award from Mass Cultural Council for our achievements in accessibility across the Commonwealth and the 2023 Equity Award from Boston Cultural Council  for our commitment to equity in the arts. Outside of self-produced Abilities Dance’s shows, her choreography has appeared in the MFA, Links Hall in Chicago, Gibney Dance in NYC, The Series: Vol IV at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre in NYC, and more. She has given lectures and workshops at schools, universities, and organizations across the country, including Harvard Graduate School of Education, Fidelity Investments, Boston University, and more. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Wellesley College and her Masters of Science in Management Studies from Boston University Questrom School of Business. Patterson sailed from Massachusetts to Ireland and conducted research in the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans on coastal runoff, sponge species, and spider habitats! She is a passionate researcher and science communicator, dedicated to uplifting Black women in STEM through her ongoing series with the Discovery Museum.

Christopher Robinson

Christopher Robinson (he/him) is a nationally recognized ASL/English Interpreter and accessibility consultant with over 30 years of experience. As the co-founder of Think Outside the Vox, he leads an organization dedicated to Disability Joy and Equity. Through Vox, he champions sustainable work opportunities with BIPOC, Deaf, Blind, and Disabled access providers and creatives, moving beyond mere compliance to foster true cultural belonging and artistic excellence. For over three decades, Christopher served as the Coordinator of Outreach & Training for Disability & Access Services at Boston University, where he acted as an ASL/English Interpreter and a leader in mitigating institutional barriers. He is a Certified Facilitator in the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology; in this capacity, he utilizes the methodology to help organizations and students dismantle ableist programming structures and explore inclusive participation. His renowned performance interpreting career includes Broadway’s Hadestown, Hamilton, and an extensive portfolio of August Wilson productions. Christopher’s lifelong commitment to cross-cultural mediation continues to redefine inclusive practices across the performing arts and educational sectors. Follow Think Outside the Vox on Instagram: @Think_outside_the_vox.

Nicolette Sullivan-Cozza

Nicolette Marie Sullivan-Cozza is an accomplished violist who began her musical journey at the age of four when she picked up the violin. At the age of twelve, she discovered her true passion for the viola, which became her main focus. Currently studying at New England Conservatory under the tutelage of the esteemed Kim Kashkashian, Nicolette is the recipient of a Dean’s full scholarship. Before attending New England Conservatory, Nicolette excelled as a distinguished honors student at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts and studied under Kerri Ryan, the Assistant Principal Violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Nicolette’s outstanding musical abilities have garnered recognition in various prestigious competitions worldwide. She is a grand prize winner of the  VSA International Young Soloists Competition, YMIC Washington National Youth Music Competition (Maestro Carnegie Debut) , New York Classical Music Competition, and is a first prize winner of the Boston International Music Competition (and recipient of the Best Stage Performance Award) Caneres International Music Competition, IU Jacobs School of Music Summer String Academy Concerto Competition, Great Composers Global Competition and the Delaware Concerto Competition. Achievements extend beyond these competitions, such as winning an honorable mention in the Alexander and Buono International Strings Competition, second place in the Stockholm International Music Competition, receiving a Music and Stars Silver Star Award, Sphinx MPower Grant and a Coastal Concerts Scholarship. Notably, she was a semi-finalist in the George Gershwin International Music Competition and a finalist in the American Viola Society Solo Competition. Nicolette’s captivating performances have graced some of the most renowned concert halls across the globe, including Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, Curtis Institute of Music’s Field Recital Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, Lincoln Center, John F. Kennedy Center, Athens Megaron Concert Hall, and CapeTown City Town Hall.  She has also been invited to share her music on esteemed platforms like NPR’s “From The Top” and WRTI 90.1 FM Classical and Jazz Radio Station, has performed in one of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Prelude Concerts (What I Hear)  and performed for Delaware State Officials on Delaware Day the December of 2017. As a dedicated orchestral musician, Nicolette performed as Principal Violist of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, New England Conservatory Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra where she was honored with the Helen T. Carp Distinguished Service Award. Furthermore, she currently serves as a substitute violist for the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Nicolette has dedicated her summers to attending distinguished music programs such as the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, and the Sphinx Performance Academy. In 2018, she was awarded a full merit scholarship to attend the Curtis Institute of Music’s Young Artist Summer Program. Nicolette’s passion for music extends beyond her personal goals and successes. As an alumna of the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth and the Primavera Fund, she recognizes the importance of community and mentorship in her own musical journey. With seed money from Project 440, Nicolette co-founded Strings for Change with her sisters Justine and Adelle, an organization that provides free violin and viola private lessons, instruments, and supplies to elementary and middle school students studying in Delaware public schools. Through this organization, they have been able to make a meaningful impact, allowing other students to experience the transformative power of music. Outside of music, she is a HSF National Hispanic Scholar, a Union League of Philadelphia Scholar and is a recipient of its Good Citizen Award.

Peter Dugan

From the Top Host/Pianist Peter Dugan prizes versatility as the hallmark of today’s musician and advocates for a classical music culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. That approach has manifested in a multifaceted and dynamic career as a pianist, composer, collaborator, and radio host. A musician equally at home in classical, jazz, and pop idioms, he has appeared as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician across North America and around the world. His performance of the Ives Fourth Symphony with the San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas was described by the Los Angeles Times as “stunning” and by the San Francisco Chronicle as “fearlessly athletic” and was recorded for release; he repeated the Ives project in a series of four concerts for the Houston Symphony with Andrés Orozco-Estrada. He had previously collaborated with MTT at the New World Symphony and has made other orchestra appearances with the Kansas City Symphony, New Albany Symphony, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony, and Annapolis Chamber Orchestra. Peter is heard on radios nationwide weekly as host of NPR’s From the Top. His approach stems from his commitment to sharing classical music through his warm-hearted openness to young voices; and in addition to hosting the show, he leads inspiring collaborations, conversations, and performances with the young artists. Classical Sonoma observed: “Mr. Dugan’s seemingly inexhaustible energy, combined with a dedicated teacher’s heart and musical artistry, is inspiring to observe… That geniality and dynamism translates directly into his music making. One gets the feeling that he is reaching out for that magic, elusive connection. And he succeeds.” He’s an active and passionate collaborator who has toured extensively with violinists Joshua Bell and Charles Yang, and vocalists John Brancy and Kara Dugan (his wife)—partnerships which have resulted in recording projects, documentaries, music videos, and a first-prize win at the Montreal Competition. He also regularly performs with other friends and artists who share a passion for expanding the world of classical music, from Jesse Colin Young to Renee Fleming to Paquito D’Rivera to Itzhak Perlman. As a composer, Peter has performed his own works everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Joe’s Pub, and his arrangements have been released by Disney+. He is co-writing with his brother Leonardo Dugan a new piano concerto, set to debut in spring 2026, and also collaborates with his colleagues to create electrifying arrangements of pop music. Supportive of new music, he has worked with the American Contemporary Music Ensemble and presented several world premieres. Peter is also comfortable jamming and improvising on piano and melodica with the likes of bassist Victor Wooten, violinists Tessa Lark and Charles Yang, and actress Glenn Close. In 2020, he joined acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell for At Home With Music, a national PBS broadcast and live album release on Sony Classical. Since then, he has continued his collaboration with Joshua, touring internationally with recitals at London’s Wigmore Hall, Taipei’s National Theater and Concert Hall, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In Fall 2024, the duo performed across the United States, South America, and Australia. The Wall Street Journal described Peter’s collaboration with violinist and vocalist Charles Yang as a “classical-meets-rockstar duo.” Their creativity has resulted in a musical comedy show with violist and Tonight Show veteran Isabel Hagen. Peter’s latest album with baritone John Brancy—The Journey Home: Live from the Kennedy Center—was released on Avie Records in 2021, along with an accompanying documentary film from WNET’s AllArts. They have given recitals together at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, and together won first prize at the 2018 Montreal International Music Competition. Peter’s latest project with violinist Sean Lee was PaganiniXSchumann, a digital EP release that accompanied a live performance at Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center of all 24 Paganini Caprices with piano parts written by Robert Schumann. In Peter’s performances with his wife, mezzo-soprano Kara Dugan, repertoire ranges from art song to American Songbook, to original songs and world premieres. The Dugans have appeared at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, WQXR’s Greene Space, and on PBS Great Performances’ Now Hear This. As a founding creator of Operation Superpower, a superhero opera for children, Peter has traveled to dozens of schools in the greater New York area, performing for students and encouraging them to use their talents—their superpowers—for good. He is head of the Artist in Residence program at pianoSonoma and a founding faculty member of the Resonance and Soundboard Institutes at Honeywell Arts Academy. Peter holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, where he studied under Matti Raekallio. He resides in New York City and is a Yamaha Artist. Peter ‘s position at From the Top is sponsored by Susan and Gerald Slavet.

THANK YOU TO THE GENEROSITY OF:

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation

The Volgenau Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts

Mass Cultural Council