Blog/News

It has been some time since we posted our Alumni in Action column, and we owe shout-outs to many alumni who have been in touch recently. We apologize in advance for those we might miss today. Please keep sending in your news; we plan to keep-up this column monthly. Send a note to info@fromthetop.org, and […]

Young Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and musicians of Asian descent have shared so much beauty with the listeners of From the Top over the last 20 years. They are core to the story-telling and spectacular performances that have come to define From the Top. In this time of growing anti-Asian sentiment and violence in the […]

THE POPULAR SHOWCASE FOR YOUNG CLASSICAL MUSICIANS PREMIERES ON WHRB 95.3 FM – Sunday, March 7 at 5:00 PM — [February 22, 2021] – WHRB-Harvard Radio announces plans to air From the Top, the acclaimed hour-long showcase of America’s talented young classical musicians distributed by NPR. Hosted by pianist Peter Dugan, From the Top will […]

On this week’s broadcast of From the Top, the victorious finale from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite is performed by a teenage pianist from Chicago. He’s joined by a teenage violinist using YouTube to provoke political dialogue, a talented 14-year-old pianist performing Beethoven, a young violinist whose musical roots spans two continents, and a 16-year-old saxophonist who […]

On this week’s From the Top, one of the strongest teenage piano trios in the country performs Beethoven with passion and precision. They are joined by a young vocalist performing Shakespeare, an 18-year-old cellist with a special relationship with his grandfather, a hard-working flutist with a unique sense of style, and a 15-year-old violinist who […]

Daily Joy: Simple Gifts with Black Violin We can’t think of a more fitting piece than “Simple Gifts” to share on Thanksgiving, and we’re certain you’ve never heard a version like this one! For today’s Daily Joy, enjoy a group of talented young musicians alongside the critically acclaimed duo “Black Violin.” Get More Daily Joy […]

A thank you message from our Host, Peter Dugan, for the Thanksgiving season!

From the Top would like to share a volunteer opportunity that one of our community partners, Bravo Waukegan, is putting forward for From the Top alumni who are age 20+. If you have an interest in virtually teaching/mentoring a high school music student one-on-one over a 10 – 15 week period, contact us to learn […]

The charismatic violinist Charles Yang, member of the genre bending trio “Time for Three”, returns to From the Top this week to join Host Peter Dugan in collaborating with our young performers. He performs the music of Shostakovich with a teenager from Philadelphia and leaps into a quartet to perform the composition of an imaginative […]

As we all take a deep breath today, I thought I’d share some music to help us get through whatever lies ahead. Music can be a soothing balm or an ecstatic outburst of joy; and in the hands of our young musicians, great music-making is always a source of hope and inspiration. I encourage you […]

This week, guest host Orli Shaham returns for another new episode, enjoying the moving experience of performing live chamber music for the first time during the pandemic. The program, recorded partly on stage at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York, features a wonderful group of young people, like a young violist, […]

Our host Peter Dugan catches up with WRTI’s Susan Lewis about being host of From the Top, balancing a diverse career, and life since Covid-19 in this episode of TIME IN.

This is a reminder to our alumni to make your voice heard this election. Get out and vote! You have the power to shape the future. Learn more at vote.gov.  

This week’s episode of From the Top marks the kick-off to our 2020-2021 radio season. It’s not easy producing radio with kids from across the country during a pandemic, but our faithful producers have found a way! This week’s amazing young musicians join guest host Orli Shaham for a unique show – some recorded virtually […]

Today, Tuesday September 22nd is National Voter Registration Day. Alumni of From the Top daily remind us what the power of expressing their voice through music can do. Now, we all have the power to share our voice and VOTE. Make Your Voice Heard. Watch Alumni Testimonials on Instagram. From the Top alumni Charles Yang, Conor […]

From the Top is pleased to announce the 2020 recipients of the Alumni Leadership Grant. The Alumni Leadership Grant, generously funded by the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation, seeks to support alumni of From the Top’s media and arts leadership programs who have created projects using music and the arts to impact their local […]

From the Top’s Alumni Leadership Grant, generously funded by the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation, seeks to support alumni of From the Top who have created projects that use music and the arts to impact their local communities. Pianist Amir Siraj was awarded the Alumni Leadership Grant in 2019 for his project to advocate […]

The “lazy days of summer” is not an expression that applies to From the Top’s industrious alumni who are accomplishing a lot during these hot months. From benefit concerts to providing virtual access to music and arts education, our network is BUSY, and we have a lot to report in today’s update. As a reminder, […]

From the Top musicians teach the world daily about compassion, the power of voice and action, and most of all, unity – values critical for urgent change in our country. To the From the Top musicians, especially our young artists of the black community and all of our young artists of color: You are our family.  We believe […]

Recently, we started this column as a way to highlight the inspiring work of alumni during this global pandemic. We’re here today with a few more incredible updates, keep your tissues handy! Alumni, please continue to send updates to info@fromthetop.org. Dr. Rachel Easterwood appeared on From the Top in 2001 on Show 46 performing from […]