A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Your support helped us nurture and amplify the voices of our young musicians. Thank you for joining us in our mission!
This season:
• Our young musicians explored what it means to be an artist today through our intensive Learning and Media Lab Fellowship.
• We connected with passionate supporters and fans through studio recordings in nine U.S. cities.
• Our “Where Music Lives” initiative featuring three broadcasts and a special five-part video series explored the impact of spaces and places on young people’s artistic journeys.
• We expanded the reach of our financial support for young musicians with the addition of the Tim Banker Talent Development Award.
Gratefully yours,
Gretchen Nielsen
Executive Director
From the Top empowers and celebrates young musicians. We envision a more empathetic and connected society through their contributions.
From the Top is:
Bringing young musicians together to explore career development, content creation, and community engagement
Celebrating young musicians through From the Top’s NPR broadcast/podcast and social media platforms
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Exploring the intersection of music and societal issues through programming and discourse
Fellowship Connects Young Musicians with Arts Leaders
This season, 108 young musicians from across the United States joined From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship which culminates in an appearance on the broadcast.
Through specialized workshops with industry professionals, in-depth conversations with peers, and community engagement activities, Fellows are prepared to use their leadership training and musical talent to benefit others now and in the future.
We were honored to welcome established artist leaders who shared transparent conversations about their creative practice and career paths with our Fellows. Topics explored include mental health, setting artist fees, the role of social media in careers, choosing the best higher educational pathway, and more.
SPOTLIGHT
From the Top Fellow Gabriela Salvador Riera
Gabriela Salvador Riera is a 16-year-old violinist from Wilmington, Delaware. As part of the Fellowship, Gabriela met with violinist Curtis Stewart and arts leader Paloma Udovic Ramos. She also created a one-on-one community engagement concert for a peer from her music school.
“Making connections and friendships with my fellow From the Top cohort members was a beautiful experience,” says Gabriela. “Getting to bond over our shared passions for changing the mold of our fields was really refreshing and inspiring.”
Youth & Professionals Collaborate in Making Media
From the Top produced 18 new episodes in the 2023-2024 season, bringing young musicians together in recording studios across the country and welcoming guest artists such as Grammy Award-winning bassist Victor Wooten and Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Bassist Joseph Conyers.
We were pleased to welcome supporters of From the Top to observe our collaborative approach to recording with young musicians in New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and Boston.
Thanks to the following radio partners for hosting our recording sessions: Minnesota Public Radio, Interlochen Public Radio, KMFA Austin, WRTI Philadelphia, and WFMT Chicago, and thanks to Arizona Public Radio for their support during our visit to Tucson.
“As a host I’m trying to draw on my love of musical collaboration in the way that I get to know the young musicians. I first encounter them as fellow humans and peers. In rehearsals we come together and discover what the music means for us as a collaborative duo.”
HOST PETER DUGAN
We worked closely with our fellows and alumni to co-create content for From the Top’s digital platforms, including Daily Joy videos, Instagram takeovers, YouTube shorts, TikToks, and video reels, expanding our content offerings.
Our Daily Joy subscribers continue to be treated to wonderful performances. 17-year-old flutist Aarushi Kumar, host Peter Dugan, and bassist Victor Wooten perform a reimagination of Bach’s Sonata in G Minor for flute and piano.
2.5 Million
Social Media Reach
5 Million
Press Coverage Reach
12 Million
Broadcast Reach
SPOTLIGHT
Grammy Award-winning bassist Victor Wooten
We were thrilled to welcome Grammy Award-winning bass player Victor Wooten as co-host of our Nashville, Tennessee episode. He spoke with and collaborated with a range of young musicians on the program.
“I was honored to be on From the Top and meet all the wonderful young people. I feel like they are mentoring me because they are showing me what the future will be.”
–Victor Wooten
Where Music Lives: A Vibrant Broadcast & Digital Festival
Our spring broadcast festival, Where Music Lives, explored the spaces and places that influence the musical lives of young artists.
Earth Day Special: Our program celebrating Earth Day illustrated the connection between music and nature and kicked off an ideas-to-action initiative for young musicians that will take off next year. Listen here.
From the Top in Nashville: Classical, blue grass, marching band, and jazz collided in our special Nashville crossover program. Listen here.
Musicians from Rural America: Through beautifully woven video and audio vignettes, we celebrated the stories of young musicians from rural backgrounds. Listen and watch here.
“Young people have always shaped – and been shaped by – the world around them. And with more information and connectivity at their fingertips than any generation before them, today’s youth seek a sense of agency and empowerment to positively impact their communities. This drives everything we do at From the Top – from designing curriculum for our Fellows, to shaping our conversations on the broadcast, to musical collaborations and special initiatives.”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GRETCHEN NIELSEN
SPOTLIGHT
banjo player Bayla Davis
15-year-old Bayla Davis is a Traditional Appalachian vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Leicester, North Carolina. She has been playing clawhammer banjo and singing for almost a decade and spends much of her time playing as a member in her siblings’ Old-Time band.
Investing in Musicians with Financial Need
From the Top’s longstanding partnership with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has been a game-changer for over 400 remarkable young artists striving to attain excellence in music despite financial barriers. More than $4 Million has been granted to our musicians over the past 19 years. Meet the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Class of 2024.
We were proud to name the first three recipients of the Tim Banker Talent Development Award. This generously sponsored donor funded award supports musicians with financial need who have enormous potential but face the immediate need for additional music training to bolster their rising talent. Meet the Tim Banker Talent Development Award recipients.
SPOTLIGHT
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Luis Diego Montero Hernández
17-year-old clarinetist Luis Diego Montero Hernández hails from San José, Costa Rica, and currently studies at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.
He enjoyed speaking with fellow Costa Rican clarinetist Gabriel Campos Zamora (Minnesota Orchestra/From the Top Board) as part of his From the Top broadcast. “Gabriel has been a wise and experienced voice to me for many years,” Luis Diego explains. “He encountered many of the same difficulties I face in my musical journey and that is something that motivates me and makes our connection stronger.”
Receiving the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award will allow Luis Diego to continue his studies at Interlochen Arts Academy through his senior year.
Financials
From the Top’s revenue last year was $2,055,188. Expenses were $2,106,405. We received generous individual, foundation and government support and are very grateful.
Revenue: $2,055,188
EXPENSES: $2,106,405
OUR Partners
The Edward T. Cone Foundation • Florek & Morgan • iZotope • Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism • Onion Foundation • Robert Treat Paine Association • Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation • The Sea Breeze Foundation • Senior Helpers • The Volgenau Foundation • WilmerHale
Leadership
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Sikorovsky, Chair
John L. Pattillo, Treasurer
Gabriel Campos Zamora
Angelica Cortez
Monica Davisson
Corinne Ferguson
Marcia Head
Elaine LeBuhn
Soo Youn Lee
Louise Lee
Kevin Olusola
Kadar Qian
Peter Ross
Benjamin Rothschild
Kathleen van Bergen
In Memoriam
Francis O. Hunnewell, Founding Chair
Directors Emeriti
Jennifer Hurley-Wales
Gerald Slavet
Jeffrey F. Rayport
Administration
Gretchen Nielsen, Executive Director
Artistic
Peter Dugan, Host
Peter Dugan’s position is sponsored by
Susan and Gerald Slavet
Tessa Lark, Co-Host/Creative
Alex Laing, Co-Host/Creative
Orli Shaham, Co-Host/Creative
Charles Yang, Co-Host/Creative
We also thank our Board of Advisors: Susan Beckerman • Phillip T. Griffin • Laura Kelsey • Jordan Kretchmer • Nancy Lubin • Anne Midgette • Linda D. Millard • Michael Thurber • Anthony Tjan • Gabrielle Wolohojian