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FROM THE TOP is a non-profit organization that celebrates the passion, dedication and personal stories of the nation's outstanding young classical musicians. Through entertaining radio and television broadcasts, online media, and a national tour of live events and outreach programs, these performers inspire the pursuit of excellence and encourage participation in the arts as an integral part of a vibrant and civil society.

From the Top's training and mentorship programs prepare young musicians to connect with new audiences, serve as positive peer role models, and give back to their communities in many ways.

At our very first live concert event in 1997, we witnessed the incredible power young performers have as role models. Through their music and life stories, they inspire all of us to explore music and the arts as a deeply enriching part of life, and they demonstrate the necessity of discipline, passion, and focus as the foundation of any great achievement.

Together with our partners in media and education, and the generous support of our funders and donors, From the Top is able to extend the wide embrace of this inspiration to MILLIONS of people.

CELEBRATING YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH MULTI-MEDIA PLATFORMS

From the Top's landmark radio showcase of America's top young classical musicians with host CHRISTOPHER O'RILEY is distributed by NPR to more than 200 stations nationwide. Among the most popular programs on public radio, From the Top reaches nearly 750,000 loyal listeners each week.

Our extraordinary young performers are seen as well as heard in our nationally televised PBS series FROM THE TOP AT CARNEGIE HALL, produced by From the Top, WGBH Boston and Don Mischer Productions, in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

LIVE EVENTS taped coast-to-coast bring together diverse audiences aged 7-70 for inspiring performances by young musicians and host Christopher O'Riley. On fromthetop.org, npr.org, pbs.org and the now ubiquitous YouTube and Facebook, From the Top shares the music and stories of young musicians, reaching out to kids and adults alike.

NURTURING YOUNG TALENT

From the Top's JACK KENT COOKE YOUNG ARTIST AWARD program annually provides 25 deserving young musicians with a $10,000 scholarship so that they can make the most of their abundant talent and seize opportunities to play at their best.

Our YOUNG COMPOSER PROJECT identifies, nurtures, and encourages the development of aspiring young composers. Honorees appear on the radio show and are paired with a professional composer for a one-on-one mentoring session to help them improve their technique and learn about a career in composing.

REACHING OUT

Our education and community outreach programs bring classical music and From the Top performers into classrooms, youth organizations, and arts programs across the country. Our goals: to inspire budding musicians of all ages, share the joy of making music, and thrill young audiences with the power of great performances by exceptional teen musicians

From the Top and its partners are working on many fronts:

* At every From the Top radio taping, our performers receive CULTURAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING that gives them the skills to share their music and their stories with a variety of audiences in their own unique voices. They become more powerful communicators, arts advocates, and role models for younger children.

* Through the generous support of the Wallace Foundation, From the Top is working in three Boston Public Elementary Schools to enhance instrumental music programs and encourage student participation and skill building. Known as TURN IT UP!, this program brings children and parents to show tapings in Boston and visiting artists into the classroom over a three-year period.

* We have teamed up with Macmillan/McGraw Hill Publishers to use the power of our peer role models to inspire other kids to excel. Each year, millions of second through twelfth graders read about From the Top performers in music textbooks and listen to their radio performances on companion CDs.

* Developed and run in collaboration with Young Audiences Inc., MAKE YOUR OWN RADIO SHOW is a school-based residency program that connects students, master teachers, and young artists in the creative process of producing their own versions of From the Top.