60 Young Musicians join Center for Development of Arts Leaders

Welcome to the new CDAL Class of 2016–2017

For the past six years, young musicians in the Greater Boston area have applied to join our Center for the Development of Arts Leaders (CDAL) here in our hometown. CDAL is the only program in Greater Boston focused on leadership training for pre-collegiate and collegiate classically-trained musicians.

This year, a record number of applicants led to the largest class in the program’s history; more than 60 young musicians from 29 communities were accepted. The full class listing is available at www.fromthetop.org/CDAL2017.

“CDAL participants are some of the hardest-working young people in our communities. Their practice and rehearsal regimens are time-intensive and highly demanding, and come on top of educational, family, and community commitments,” said Linda Gerstle, From the Top’s Director of Education & Community Partnerships. “Our goal with CDAL is to channel the discipline and drive of these young musicians to affect positive change. We put them in positions of leadership, because even as teenagers, our students have the skills and qualities to mentor, teach, and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s remarkable to watch them grow as both musicians and leaders over the course of a year.”

In 2016–2017 CDAL arts leaders will engage as teaching artists with partners at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Dorchester and musiConnects at Lena Park Community Center. Others will participate in the Community Performance Series, engaging audiences at the Boston Children’s Museum, The Women’s Lunch Place in Boston, Goddard House Assisted Living in Brookline Village, and Center Communities of Brookline.

Fun facts about the Arts Leaders of the 2016–2017 Class

• 26 of the musicians are returning CDAL members
• 34 musicians have not been part of CDAL before
• There are 39 females and 21 males in the class
• 19 violins; 5 violas; 14 cellos; 11 pianos; 6 flutes; 3 singers; 1 bassoon, and 1 oboe