From the Blog: Alumni Spotlight

Great news from Roberto Granados, a From the Top alum from our Lubbock, Texas show.  He was recently contacted by the California Symphony, who requested he join them on May 1, 2011 to perform three movements from Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez.”  He has commissioned a local luthier to have a special classical guitar made for this event.

This past January, Roberto had the opportunity to to play with Jon Anderson of the English progressive rock band Yes at Tony LaRussa’s 2010 Stars to the Rescue benefit for the Animal Rescue Foundation.  They performed an abridged version of “And You and I” and “Time and A Word.”

Roberto and Jon Anderson, 2010

Roberto’s father reveals:

Prior to Jon going on stage to introduce Roberto, Roberto told Jon that while he was waiting at the hotel he had come up with an ending that he had arranged for “Time and A Word” that he wanted to play.  Jon nodded in agreement, as he walked on stage.  At the end of the piece, Roberto played the ending he had arranged.  You could not hear a pin drop in the packed theatre, and the expression of Jon’s face, hearing for the first time what Roberto had put together, showed he was deeply moved.  It was spectacular!

Currently Roberto is studying with Grisha Goryachev, an accomplished flamenco and classical guitarist who attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston studying under Eliot Fisk. Last year he played for From the Top at the Emmys; you can read more about it here.

Violinist Stephen Waarts, who appeared on our 2009 show in Stanford, California, has been busy this summer!

After winning second place in the Menuhin Competition earlier this year, Stephen performed with two symphonies in California – on May 23rd he played Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 with the Prometheus Symphony and on June 6 he performed Brahms Violin Concerto with Symphony Parnassus. Take a look at the video of his Symphony Parnassus performance below.

Right now, Stephen is participating in the six week Perlman Music Program in Shelter Island, NY, headed by violinist Itzhak Perlman. Afterwards, he is going to the Summit Music Festival, also in NY, by invitation of acclaimed violinist Aaron Rosand, who is heading an intensive violin program. In both camps he will perform as a soloist, in chamber groups, and as part of orchestras.

Mid-August Stephen will return home to California, where he will get ready to perform Paganini Concerto No. 2 with Redwood Symphony on September 19, 25. It doesn’t stop there – In October he will play Mozart Concerto No. 5 with Solano Symphony, and Paganini Concerto No. 1 with Winchester Orchestra.

More information about Stephen and links to his performances on YouTube are on his website.

We just got word that 14-year-old violinist Stephen Kim, who appeared on our radio show in Mobile, Alabama in January 2009, recently won two musical awards.

Stephen Kim Performs on Show 193 in Alabama

He received the Gold Medal in the 11th California International Young Artists Violin Competition in San Diego on June 13, which he shared with a 24 year old violinist. Stephen also won 3rd prize in the 2nd Stradivarius International Violin Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah this July.

But that’s not all – Stephen also has three big performances coming up.

On August 15 he will perform as a soloist  with The Bear Valley Symphony Orchestra, where he’ll play the Shostakovich Concerto in the closing concert of the Bear Valley Music Festival.

He will perform the Tchaikovsky Concerto on September 25 with the Fremont Symphony Orchestra in the opening concert. Then in November, he will perform the Shostakovich Concerto again with the California Youth Symphony.

Great work and good luck, Stephen!

Bella with Fellow Performers at the El Dorado Retirement Center

We love when From the Top performers take Arts Leadership to the next level – 14 year-old violist Isabella Markham, a Jack Kent Cook Young Artist, has done just that by organizing a small concert series for a retirement center with the help of her brother and seven friends.  She titled the performance “Bella Palooza” and it took place on March 7, 2010 at the El Dorado; an independent retirement home located in Richardson, TX. The program included works for cello, violin, viola, and piano. Bella chose this project to provide seniors a fun break from their daily routine. Through the performance, Bella hoped to show that musicians her age still care for elderly people, and that music is a universal form of communication. A talented artist as well as a musician, Bella also created beautiful, hand-drawn flyers to promote the event.

Bella's Concert Program Art

Bella on "From the Top"

“I strongly believe that our culture tends to forget about the elderly and aging. A lot of these people are lonely and they don’t get enough love. Everyone needs someone to look forward to, and I think music makes a person’s heart happy.”

-Bella Markham

The El Dorado Dining Hall

We asked Bella a few questions about the performance and the overall experience:

Bella with pianist Evan Ritter

From the Top: How did you come up with your project idea?

Bella: I chose this activity because I wanted the old folks to have something exciting and new to look forward to in their daily schedule. It seems that they are forgotten sometimes, so I wanted to share the gift of music with them.

From the Top: What was the experience like for you? Did you have a favorite moment?

Bella: The experience was so inspiring and enriching! I would definitely love to do something like this again. Although it was a little bit stressful in having the complete responsibility to coordinate the entire event, it was all worth it in the end.

My favorite moment was after the performance. I went around to each table to talk to the old folks and asked them what they thought about the performance. Their faces beamed with joy and they even wanted me to come back and perform again! I loved seeing them so happy.

From the Top: What do you think the audience took away from the event?

Bella: I think the audience took away the joy and love for music. They truly enjoyed seeing us young performers perform for them. I would never be able to describe how happy they were, they were so overwhelmed with joy.

From the Top: What did you learn from this experience?

Bella: I learned that no matter who you are or what you do, music can connect and communicate to anyone! In my opinion, music truly is a wonder to the universe.

From the Top: Do you think this type of experience can help your development as a musician? How?

Bella: Definitely, yes. This is an extremely humbling experience and reminds me all the time of how fortunate and blessed I am. I think this is why I gravitate towards this particular group of people. I know that my presence and sharing of music genuinely touches their hearts as well as mine. Also, I know that I’m making a difference.

From the Top: What advice would you give other musicians interested in doing a similar project?

Bella: Definitely choose a softer selection of pieces to perform. The old folks seem to enjoy the softer pieces a lot. Also, prepare to talk and introduce yourself to them, this seems to make the performance more intimate and enjoyable. It’s also good to go around and talk with them after the performance; they love to talk with you about what a joy it was to have you perform.

Earlier this year, 13-year-old John Ringor (Show #202 and #206 ) and 17-year-old Joshua Jones (TV Episode 201, Show #171 and  #206), both Chicago percussionists and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award recipients, gave a performance and demonstration for children and their families at the Chicago Symphony Center. They were joined by eight of their colleagues from the Percussion Scholarship Group (PSG), a program affiliated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (an ensemble of which appeared on From the Top’s Show #206), that provides free lessons and percussion instruments to students from the Chicago area – an inspiring example of arts leadership itself!

John, Josh, and members of the Percussion Scholarship Group at the Chicago Symphony Center

Their concert was part of the CSO’s Caminos a la Musica: a program that provides lower-income families the opportunity to see and experience classical music in a professional setting.

(We) chose to perform for kids because they are the people of the future; they will be the ones to shape the future of music. These people need to realize just how important music is so that they can help promote and support it.” – John

“(We) wanted to spread knowledge about percussion and the PSG, and also I wanted to incorporate members of the group in this performance. Kind of like a family affair.” -Josh

We asked John and Josh to share more about their project:

John, Josh, and the PSG performing at the Chicago Symphony Center

FTT: What was the experience like for you? Did you have a favorite moment?

Josh: I had fun performing for the children, and their reaction was priceless. As loud as we were, I was expecting them to cover their ears, but the adults were the only ones with their ears covered.

John: Perhaps my favorite moment of the whole performance was seeing how happy all the kids were. The looks on their faces when we started things off with a bang and when I was doing all sorts of stick tricks in a solo were so gratifying. They looked like they really enjoyed our performance and had fun and a genuine interest in our music. That feeling of appreciation I got from them was the best part of this whole experience.

FTT: What do you think the audience took away from the event?

John: I think that they developed a new interest and appreciation for percussion and music that is not normally heard on the radio or is mainstream. They really seemed interested in the instruments and music we played so I think that one day they too will want to play an instrument.

Josh: Probably the point that was received by the audience was that percussion is a fun instrument to play, and it takes hard work to achieve a high level on any instrument that they may decide to take up, or anything they decide to do in life.

FTT: What did you learn from the experience?

Josh: I experienced how the sound was much bigger in a smaller room, so we had to play softer in order to not over power and frighten the children. It was kind of funny actually.

John: I learned that organizing such an event is no easy task. At times it was difficult getting everyone together and having rehearsals, but we eventually worked things out. Mostly I learned to just have fun. When I have fun then everyone else senses that and tries to have fun as well. By enjoying myself and keeping a positive attitude the performance was wonderful and the kids had a great time.

FTT: Do you think this type of experience can help your development as a musician? How?

John: It’s taught me the value of planning, organization, teamwork, and showmanship. I learned that just like in an orchestra or in an ensemble, teamwork and communication was essential both for playing musically together as well as running the show.

Josh: Instead of regurgitating music that we memorize, connecting with the audience can ease some of the nerves we may have as musicians when we perform and it tells us even more what the audience wants out of a concert.

FTT: What advice would you give other musicians interested in doing a similar project?

Josh: Don’t be afraid to try new things as you go. Always have a set goal, but if there is room for improvisation, take full advantage of it.

John: Just have fun with it. If the audience sees you having fun then they will too and that’s the secret to success.

From the Top alum William Harvey‘s musical organization, Cultures in Harmony, is hosting a student music group from Zimbabwe August 4-25, 2010 in New York City and Washington D.C.

Onias Horiwa and William Harvey, July 2006. Photo courtesy of Cultures in Harmony

Cultures in Harmony has worked with this group, comprised of leader Onias Horiwa, eight students, and one teacher  from Eaglesvale High School, in Zimbabwe in the past through two music projects: Sound of Water, Sound of Hope and Give Children Musical Instruments. Now William and his crew welcome these old friends to America.

Their trip will be filled with activities including “creative workshops at Culturarte, a picnic in New York’s Central Park with Cultures in Harmony volunteers, a performance featuring Onias Horiwa on mbira and Cultures in Harmony musicians in New York City, and workshops and other activities led by Dawn Smith and Ryan Murphy, Cultures in Harmony project participants who have been to Zimbabwe and now reside in Washington, DC.”

William writes, “From Zimbabwe to Papua New Guinea to Pakistan to Moldova, people with few resources other than their hospitality have generously welcomed American musicians into their homes during Cultures in Harmony projects over the past five years. Now is the US’s chance to return the favor!”

Where do YOU come in? William is looking for volunteers with a couch or extra bed who are willing to host a member of the group for all or some of their stay in New York or Washington.  Interested? Join Cultures in Harmony on Facebook and send a message to Deputy Director Sarah Frisof!

More information here.

In the beginning of June we updated you on From the Top alum Nicholas King.  This week we received more information about his summer plans to share with you.

You may remember that Nicholas mentioned throwing a private concert in July to fundraise so he can continue his studies at the world-renowned Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto – now we’ve got the details: On July 17 he will perform at the Evo Penthouse in Los Angeles, CA.  His event will include appetizers, dessert, and wine (courtesy of Truly Raw Gourmet, Tia’s Bakery, Chocovivo and Coconut Bliss) in addition to his performance. If you’re in the LA area, you should definitely check it out and help this alum stay on his musical track!  Tickets at the door are $30 each or $50 for two.

Image Courtesy of Susan von Seggern

At 3pm the very next day Nicholas will appear at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  He’s the special guest performer at the Southeast Symphony Association’s season-ending celebration. This performance will include “American Salute” by Martin Gould, “Symphonic Dances” from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, “Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 18 in C minor” by Sergei Rachmaninoff,  and “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev with a special guest celebrity narrator. Tickets are available through the Southeast Symphony Association or Ticketmaster.

Nicholas says, “I’m excited to play at Disney Hall, it’s an amazing venue! Plus doing the fundraising event in the sky above LA at the Evo will be a wonderful experience and help me further my studies. It will be a big weekend!” Check out his website for more information.

Good luck Nicholas!

Arts Leadership is an important part of From the Top’s experience for young musicians. We encourage all our performers to give back to their communities through their music. Sahun “Sam” Hong who performed on Show #206 in Dallas, Texas, has been doing Arts Leadership outreach continually since his show taped in November, 2009.  He’s setting a great example! On June 22, 2010 Sam will play a recital in Longhorn Auditorium at Trinity Terrace for all of the residents.

Here’s a quick photo recap of his work since November:

On December 1, 2009, Sam performed for all of the fifth grade students at Tanglewood Elementary School in Fort Worth.

Sam performing between showings of the award-winning documentary of the 2009 Cliburn Competition, "A Surprise in Texas

Sam and Van Cliburn at "A Surprise in Texas" showing

Sam performing at Trinity Terrace Retirement Home in Fort Worth. He visits the residents once a week to play solo piano, accompany them singing, and do some magic tricks. This is on the second floor for residents who are unable to get out.

Sam performs for elementary students at The Cambridge School in San Diego on June 3, 2010.

Simone Performs in Highland Park

Two From the Top alums are performing in Singapore this week as part of the Great Eastern International Kids Performing Festival: violinist Simone Porter and cellist Nathan Chan.

Simone appeared on From the Top’s Highland Park, Illinois show in 2007 when was eleven years old, at which point she was basically a veteran violinist – she started playing when she was just three. In March 2008 Simone appeared on our PBS series, From the Top at Carnegie Hall. Two years later, Simone has excelled greatly and is one of five young international musicians to perform at the festival in Singapore this week.

Nathan Performs in Stanford

Cellist Nathan Chan appeared on From the Top’s December 2009 show in Stanford, California. You may not know this, but Nathan originally got into classical music as a conductor – at the age of two! He used to mimic the movements of conductors on TV and was incredibly accurate at it. Three years later he picked up a cello and began his formal study of music. Nathan’s accomplishments are many – just check out his summary on the festival website – and performing in Singapore is yet another wonderful honor for him.

Simone and Nathan, along with From the Top alum Anna DeLoi, are also featured in a 2009 BBC 4 documentary series that’s about to air on WGBH. We mentioned this mini-series, titled “The World’s Greatest Musical Prodigies,” back in April. It features a young composer and conductor from England named Alexander Prior. He’s on a mission to find the best young performing talent in the world, and he will write a multi-instrument concerto for them to perform with the Northern Sinfonia in England.

It’s a small world because Alex will actually be at Tanglewood this summer, along with our 10th Anniversary alum Keitaro Harada (saxophone/conductor).

Click here for air dates/times of this show.

From the Top alum Ren Martin-Doike, who appeared on Show #192 in Indianapolis, Indiana,  just got back from an incredible 3 week concert tour to Argentina with Indiana University’s Violin Virtuosi.  They traveled the country, playing in concert halls such as the beautiful Teatro El Circulo.  Ren says, “meeting with audience members after concerts — though the language barrier sometimes renders communication difficult — is a testament to how universal the ‘language’ of music is.”

Here’s a nice article on the Indiana University Newsroom that talks about this trip as well as the Virtuosi members’ histories.

Ren Martin-Doike Performing I. Presto from Sonata No. 4, Op. 23 by Ludwig Van Beethoven

This week From the Top alum Hilda Huang, who perfromed on Show #180 in Berkeley, CA, appeared on Episode 12 of From the Top at Carnegie Hall, and was the highest ranking musician in the Seventh International Würzburg J. S. Bach Competition, updated us on a couple cool opportunities she’s had.

Hilda Huang performs at a From the Top taping on May 29, 2008 at UC Berkeley

Hilda recently appeared in a full-length documentary called “Bach & Friends.”  This isn’t a movie about Johann Sebastian Bach’s life, but rather how he lives on today, through the eyes of all different types of musicians.  The documentary features performances by many talented artists, including Hilda. During the world premiere in May, 2010, Hilda gave a live performance at Symphony Space.  Take a look at the short videos, Part 1 and Part 2, outlining the event (and watch out for Hilda!)  Also, you can read some interesting comments on the premiere here.

“Bach & Friends” will premiere next in San Francisco on Wednesday, July 14, 7 p.m. at Sundance Kabuki Cinemas. More information can be found here.

Hilda’s second recent accomplishment is more virtual – Two weeks ago she visited Big Think, “a global forum connecting people and ideas,” to give a video interview on her love for Bach. She’s the youngest person who’s been interviewed with Big Think so far! The video isn’t posted quite yet, but it will be available here shortly.

Please join us in congratulating Hilda!

From the Top’s Arts Leadership Program is all about young artists using their talent and passion to make a difference in the world.  Every show is new and different, bringing together a diverse group of musicians with a wide range of experiences – that’s what makes it so exciting!  The Arts Leadership Orientation, held the morning after every radio taping, is an opportunity to share and explore those experiences, share From the Tops’s mission of service, and build a community of inspiring arts leaders.

After taping an amazing show at the Gettysburg Festival in Gettysburg, PA, all seven performers and our education team gathered in a beautiful, sun-filled conference room on the Gettysburg College campus to reflect on their experience and explore ways to give back through music.

The performers chose one of the unique outdoor sculptures scattered across the beautiful campus for their group photo.

The Gettysburg Show Performers

The group participated in an exercise called “chalk talk”  (basically a group conversation done in writing) to explore what Arts Leadership means to them, and boiled it down to these key ideas:

Arts Leadership is…

• Sharing the importance of the arts, even when others criticize you
• Sharing your love for what you do
• Bringing your community closer together
• Being a role model

At the end of the session, the group was charged with making a 30 second video that captured their experience on From the Top, they named themselves the “Razzle Dazzle Kings”. Here’s their message below:

“Sharing your love for what you do, is the goal of the Razzle Dazzle Crew.”

And if you like that, stay tuned for the debut of the first-ever From the Top rap, courtesy of the Emerald String Quartet members. Be sure to tune in when their show airs, the week of September 20th.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to the Andover-Lawrence Strings Program of the Philips Academy. They just had their final student performance of the 2009/2010 school year, wrapping up yet another successful season for the 14-year old educational program. We last reported on their progress back in April following a collaborative performance with their program and FTT alumni. Having recently been awarded From the Top’s Margaret Stewart Lindsey Arts Leadership Award, they are already making plans for the 2010/2011 school year.

Through the From the Top grant, they plan to purchase new materials to broaden their music theory curriculum and will be adding an adult mentor to help train student teachers for the program. These changes would not have been possible were it not for student coordinator Jacob Shack’s decision to apply for the grant, which you can read about here. Jacob graduated from the Academy this past May and plans to attend Harvard in the fall. As such, the program will now be under the guidance of new student coordinator and upcoming senior Madeleine Tucker. We asked Maddie to introduce herself on our blog and share her thoughts about the program:

Hi! This is Madeleine (Maddie) Tucker, and I am a rising senior at Phillips Academy, Andover. Next year, I will be taking over Jacob’s position as coordinator of the Andover-Lawrence String Program. As a cellist myself, the group of young cello students in the ALS program is very special to me. Although the group consists of a mere number of approximately eight students, over 25 career possibilities are represented. They range from singer to artist to comic writer to rapper, clown, dancer, and even includes a potential professional video gamer. This combination of so many different types of people working together might seem unlikely; I certainly thought it was, until we began having occasional group cello classes. Imagine a classical music lesson with eight diametrically opposing viewpoints…One week, for example, previous From the Top cellist Bobby Chen and I tuned down the G and C strings of their cellos and taught them the beginning of the third movement of Kodaly’s Cello Sonata. The kids only achieved learning the first few measures, but the experience was exciting all the same.

Maddie with cello student Paoli and FTT alum, Bobby Chen

Though it is sad that the year is over, the good news is that nearly all of the students will return next year. I will miss them over the summer, but the teachers and students truly deserve a break; both have been working hard!

Just last week, Andover-Lawrence Strings had its final concert of the year. Gathered together in the large Chapel, parents, siblings, friends, and teachers listened as each student walked up onto the stage to perform one or more(!) pieces on their chosen instrument. By the end of the concert, we had applauded four versions of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, six arrangements of “Marry Had a Little Lamb”, two “Heart and Soul” piano duets, one Harry Potter theme song entitled “Lumos”, and a variety of other songs. It was a great way to end the year.

The 2010/2011 Andover-Lawrence Strings Program season promises to be filled with optimism and dedication. They have truly set the mold for establishing arts leadership within student communities. For more information on the Philips Academy and its success with the Andover-Lawrence Strings Program, visit their website. We will continue to follow their program and will report back on their progress in the fall.

At 17 years old, Caroline Goulding has already accomplished a lot.  You may recall her performances from three of our radio shows, one of our TV episodes, and a variety of mentions on this blog (not to mention that she’s already got a CD out!)  On July 1, 2010, Caroline will appear with the Cleveland Orchestra as part of the annual free Star-Spangled Spectacular concert, presented by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.  The Cleveland Orchestra wrote a wonderful story about Caroline, which you can read here.

If you’re interested in following Caroline’s musical career, check out her Instant Encore page.  Here you can see her upcoming concerts, read her blogs, and more!

Caroline Goulding on From the Top with the Cincinnati Pops in Oct 2008

Pianist and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Nicholas King appeared on From the Top in May 2008 in New Albany, Ohio, where he performed the opening movement of Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata.  If you don’t know the story of how Nick got started on the piano, listen to his From the Top appearance. Nick emailed us last week with some updates on his life now.

Nicholas King on From the Top, Spring 2008

Since my performance on From the Top, I’ve been pursuing my Bachelor of Music Degree at the Royal Conservatory of Music – Glenn Gould School with a scholarship under the guidance of Marc Durand. I am now entering my 3rd year of studies. Upon my first year at the school, I was the winner of the Tom Thompson Concerto Competition, a school wide competition.

This past year I performed the winning Poulenc 2 piano concerto in the brand new Koerner Hall under the fantastic Johannes Debus (conductor of the Canadian Opera Company) with my classmate Lucas Porter (we won with a 2 piano concerto). It is my understanding that we were the first freshmen ever to win this award. I’ve participated in master classes with Leon Fleischer, Louis Lortie, and John Perry.

I recently won the Jury’s Choice Prize at the American Paderewski Piano Competition – and will be participating in a week-long master class (which culminates with a concert) in Bydgoszcz, Poland with an orchestra this August. I will also be performing the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini with the Southeast Symphony Orchestra in the Walt Disney Concert Hall this summer – July 18. I paid for my first year of schooling with the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship – and my second year was paid for with the funds gathered by a concert that I hosted. I will be giving another tuition fund-raising concert later this summer.

Pianist and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Nicholas King appeared on From the Top in May 2008 in New Albany, Ohio, where he performed the opening movement of Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata.  If you don’t know the story of how Nick got started on the piano, listen to his From the Top appearance. Nick emailed us last week with some updates on his life now.

Nicholas King on From the Top, Spring 2008

Since my performance on From the Top, I’ve been pursuing my Bachelor of Music Degree at the Royal Conservatory of Music – Glenn Gould School with a scholarship under the guidance of Marc Durand. I am now entering my 3rd year of studies. Upon my first year at the school, I was the winner of the Tom Thompson Concerto Competition, a school wide competition.

This past year I performed the winning Poulenc 2 piano concerto in the brand new Koerner Hall under the fantastic Johannes Debus (conductor of the Canadian Opera Company) with my classmate Lucas Porter (we won with a 2 piano concerto). It is my understanding that we were the first freshmen ever to win this award. I’ve participated in master classes with Leon Fleischer, Louis Lortie, and John Perry.

I recently won the Jury’s Choice Prize at the American Paderewski Piano Competition – and will be participating in a week-long master class (which culminates with a concert) in Bydgoszcz, Poland with an orchestra this August. I will also be performing the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini with the Southeast Symphony Orchestra in the Walt Disney Concert Hall this summer – July 18. I paid for my first year of schooling with the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship – and my second year was paid for with the funds gathered by a concert that I hosted. I will be giving another tuition fund-raising concert later this summer.

You may remember 11-year-old Natalie Dungey on Show #202 in Salt Lake City, where she blew the audience away with incredibly polished sounds from a difficult brass instrument – the trumpet!  If you missed the show, you can listen here and watch a video of her rehearsal the night before here.

We just got an email update from Natalie’s dad and wanted to share the great news. Since performing on From the Top, Natalie blasted full speed ahead and was a featured soloist with Mateo Messina’s “Symphony of a Superhero”, a benefit concert for Children’s Hospital in Seattle at Benaroya Hall.

She didn’t stop there; next she soloed with the Auburn Symphony in February (Trumpeter’s Lullaby) and was paid to play 4th trumpet in the orchestra on the Frank Symphony in D minor and the Accursed Huntsman.

What’s coming up for Natalie? In August she’ll join the Sammamish Symphony and during the first week of December she’ll play with the Auburn Symphony.  There’s even a chance that during Fall 2011 she’ll play an entire concerto with the Auburn Symphony, at the insistence of music director Stewart Kershaw.

Some pretty amazing accomplishments for a young lady who hasn’t entered her teenage years yet!

We were pretty thrilled to see this video posted on our Facebook wall this morning. Octet Abbraccio (or Seven Chicks and a Dude) of the Chamber Music Connection in Columbus, Ohio filmed themselves during their travel home from taping their From the Top radio episode. Way to go! You can hear their radio broadcast from Ames, Iowa the week of June 14.

Horn player Catherine Turner recently won the second horn position with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. She moved from San Antonio, Texas (where she played fourth horn with the San Antonio Symphony) to Canada in January. On May 6, she performed with members of the orchestra at an NHL Stanley Cup playoff game in Montreal. The all-brass ensemble, conducted by Kent Nagano, performed the national anthems at the Eastern Conference Semifinal match-up between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens.

Catherine is standing third from the right in this video:

Catherine’s brother, Tom Turner, who also performed on From the Top, is in his junior year at Ohio State University, where he studies mechanical engineering.

Pianist and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Clifton Williams has had an extraordinary year. After performing on From the Top in March 2009, he was profiled in the Washington Post and attended summer programs at Indiana University, Berklee College of Music, and Princeton University.

Clifton with the Ambassador's family.

This winter, Clifton experienced another set of amazing opportunities. He was invited to play at a house party in Washington, D.C., where he met Donna Eacho, the wife of the U.S. Ambassador to Austria (William Eacho), who invited him to join her family in Vienna and Paris during his spring break.

In Vienna, Clifton slept and dined at the Ambassador’s residence and attended concerts at the opera and the Vienna Philharmonic with the Ambassador’s family. He gave four recitals in Vienna, two of them at the America House. At the first concert he performed a Rachmaninoff Etude, Prokofiev’s Diabolique Suggestion, and two jazz pieces, and afterwards he spoke with the 100 high school students in the audience. His second performance at the America House was for a general audience. He also performed at the Ambassador’s residence and at a local church.

Watch an interview with Clifton and performance clips here.

He also visited Paris, where he performed at UNESCO and met David Killion, the U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO.

Clifton will attend Berklee College of Music on a Presidential Scholarship in the fall. We are so proud to see Clifton’s success and look forward to having him just down the street from our offices.