On the Road with Joanne Robinson: Show 263 Davis, CA

Late October found us in Davis, California where we taped an episode of the radio show at the Mondavi Center, a stunning concert hall on the campus of UC Davis. This show was full of interesting and talented kids, including three who’ve won major competitions.

Kicking things off was a very young violinist –12-year-old Alex Zhou, who played one of my favorite violin showpieces, Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen. He was followed by flutist Annie Wu,who not only played classical flute, but also a beatboxing piece (you’ve got to check this out in the sneak peek – it’s pretty amazing)!

17-year-old Alex Holcomb was up next playing Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude transcribed for classical guitar. Chopin on guitar is not something you hear every day, and he played beautifully.

We met pianist Phoebe Pan next, who actually first met Christopher O’Riley when he was one the judges at a piano competition she won. We had to have some fun with the fact that three of the kids on this show were competition winners by having them compete in a quiz called “A Competition Competition.” The winning prize was a fabulous, aluminum, deluxe, logo-emblazoned From the Top water bottle! Clearly there was a lot at stake.

Closing the show was a trio of teens, all new to the U.S. from three different countries, who performed from “The 4 Seasons of Beunos Aires” by Astor Piazzolla – an exciting ending to a great show.

Check out the sneak peek below, and don’t forget to tune in when the show airs the week of January 14!

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