Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities II / Show 479

14-year-old percussionist Zion Giles shares his original work “School Tomorrow”, combining marimba and rap. Zion is profoundly deaf in both ears and hears with the assistance of cochlear implants, an experience that shapes his unique connection to sound and rhythm.

About

Co-hosted by violinist and disability activist Julia LaGrand and host Peter Dugan, this week’s episode spotlights the perspectives and artistry of four young musicians with disabilities and is part of a broader initiative by From the Top to increase inclusivity and transparency for disabled artists.

Guests

• Co-Host: Julia LaGrand
  Julia is a From the Top alum, violinist and disability activist.
• Host : Peter Dugan
  Peter's position is sponsored by Susan and Gerald Slavet.

Performers & Repertoire

• Co-host/violinist/associate producer Julia LaGrand

  Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005: IV. Allegro assai by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
• 18-year-old composer Kiefer Bernard from Montclair, New Jersey

  From Light To Dark In The Valley by Kiefer Bernard (b. 2007) Performed by: Analog by Choice: Peter Paetkau and Emma Burge on violin, Sachin Shukla on viola, and Andrés Mejia Rojas on cello.
• 22-year-old French Horn player Macy James from Kalamazoo, Michigan

  she danced in the rain by Cait Nishimura (b. 1991)
• 19-year-old violinist Alexander McDowell from Durham, North Carolina

  4 Romantic Pieces, Op. 75, B. 150: No. 1. Allegro moderato by Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
• 14-year-old percussionist Zion Giles from Chicago, Illinois

  School Tomorrow by Zion Giles (b. 2011)
• Cellist/composer Adam Mandela Walden

  The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a 13-Year-Old Boy with Autism, IV. Elopement Tango by Adam Mandela Walden (b. 1997), Eugene Friesen (b. 1952)

Related Stories

• From the Top Celebrates Musicians with Disabilities

  Live Panel Discussion and Performance in Boston & Virtual Live Stream on March 16 National Broadcast Special April 27 Daily Joy and Digital Programming …
  

Release Date

• Monday, April 27, 2026

Release date is when this show is released to NPR stations, here on our website, and to our podcast. Shows are released on a weekly basis; please check your local NPR station listing for the actual airtime in your market. If you'd like, you can visit NPR's "Find Stations" page to look for your station.

Support Provided By

SPECIAL THANKS

Think Outside the Vox

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

You may also like...