Welcome
Hello there, and welcome to From the Top’s website! Before you dive right in to applying for our Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, here’s a little info about who we are and what we do.
From the Top is a non-profit organization that produces the popular radio show NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley. The show is broadcast on more than 220 stations nationwide to an audience of more than half a million listeners, celebrating the stories, talents, and character of America’s best pre-collegiate classically-trained musicians. Every musician who appears on the show also receives leadership and outreach training, learning how to take music beyond the concert hall.
Want to get a sense of what From the Top sounds like? Subscribe to our podcast or listen below:
Here at From the Top, we believe that financial need should never hold a young musician back. So, together with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, each year we select approximately 20 exceptional pre-collegiate musicians, ages 8-18, to receive up to $10,000 in financial support. Young Artist Award winners are also given the opportunity to perform on NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley.
Here are a few of our recent Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Winners
Who should apply?
Classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers (ages 8–18) who have not yet graduated high school.
Applicants must be interested in performing on From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley, and demonstrate (in order of importance):
- exceptional musical achievement
- unmet financial need
- solid academic achievement
- strength of character.
