A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This year marked the start of an exciting new chapter for From the Top as we announced our merger with KERA. Joining KERA is an intentional strategic move ensuring that our work can evolve and expand, while staying true to our mission and community.
That commitment was evident in our continued efforts to elevate the voices, artistry, and experiences of musicians with disabilities led by alum Julia LaGrand. I encourage you to watch the beautifully produced documentary film that chronicles this year’s educational and broadcast programming, told from Julia’s perspective.
We are so thankful for the supporters, partners, and young musicians that have made From the Top into what it is today, a home for young artists to share their passions and hope for the future.
Gratefully yours,
Gretchen Nielsen
Executive Director
From the Top Joins KERA to Fuel Our Next Chapter
On February 12, 2026, From the Top announced its upcoming merger with KERA, North Texas Public Broadcasting, effective July 1, 2026. The move marks a strategic new chapter for From the Top as it builds the infrastructure and capacity needed to support its mission for generations to come. While From the Top’s organizational home base will shift to North Texas, its national mission, programming, and audience will remain unchanged.
“It’s an honor to welcome From the Top as a program of KERA. Our organizations share a belief in the power of public media to educate, inspire, and connect communities. We’re excited to support From the Top as it continues to serve young musicians nationwide while exploring new possibilities, both nationally and locally, through our combined resources.”
Nico Leone, President and CEO of KERA
From the Top empowers and celebrates young musicians and envisions a more empathetic and connected society through their contributions.
From the Top is:
Celebrating young musicians through From the Top’s NPR broadcast/podcast and social media platforms
Bringing young musicians together to explore career development, content creation, and community engagement
Exploring the intersection of music and societal issues through programming and discourse
Youth Artistry Shines Through Broadcast and Digital Media
From the Top’s media is centered around the music and stories of our young musicians.
The recording studio is a new experience for most of our Fellows. We mentor them to reach their artistic potential and empower them to share what matters most.
Our broadcast/podcast reaches 350,000 listeners per week on nearly 200 stations across the United States.
Our digital media is co-created with our young musicians and delivered across multiple platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Daily-Joy.org.
From the Top 25: A Dazzling New Album
Our first album release in 10 years, From the Top 25 features extraordinary young musicians ranging in age from 11 to 21 with beautiful collaborations from our host, co-hosts, and guest artists.
From the Top 25 features works by Ravel, Bach, Schumann, Kreisler, Brahms, and more, spanning centuries of repertoire while also uplifting fresh contemporary voices such as Valerie Coleman, Lera Auerbach, and up-and-coming composer Rhyuhn Green.
Empowering Young Musicians to Shape their Future
The Learning and Media Lab Fellowship is an eight-week online program for all From the Top musicians, exploring what it means to be an artist in today’s world.
This season, 94 Fellows completed the program. Not only did they meet incredible guest artists like virtuoso pianist Chloe Flower and changemaker Angelica Hairston, they also learned new skills and insights into:
• the wide career possibilities available to musicians
• communication and audience engagement
• studio recording and production
• making an impact through music
Meet some of the inspiring arts leaders who worked with our young musicians this year:
Disability, Artistry, and Community
This season, in partnership with alum/violinist and disability activist Julia LaGrand, we continued our work to support and elevate the experiences of musicians with disabilities.
• We convened four young musicians to record a new broadcast
• We produced a live panel and performance event with Boston arts and disability leaders and live-streamed it for audiences across the country
• We spotlighted young musicians with disabilities on our Daily Joy series
• We produced a short documentary film about Julia and the initiative with our partners at Vanishing Angle
Meet Julia LaGrand, Co-Host, Advisor, and Associate Producer
In 2021, From the Top featured Julia LaGrand, a 16-year-old violinist who spoke candidly about being a musician who is also blind. Julia’s experience on From the Top got her thinking about artistry and disability. She wrote a passionate email: would From the Top do more? The answer was yes.
Fast forward to 2026. Julia has become a critical part of the From the Top team, advising, co-producing, and hosting two broadcasts and two panel discussions focused on neurodivergent and disabled artists – all while pursuing her studies at Harvard University and New England Conservatory. This coming year, Julia will be hosting an additional broadcast in collaboration with the Kennedy Center’s Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program. What can’t she do!
Investing in Musicians with Financial Need
From the Top’s longstanding partnership with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. With more than $4.4 million in awards for 440 remarkable young artists pursuing musical excellence despite financial barriers, this award program continues to change lives. Meet the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Class of 2026.
In its second year, the Tim Banker Talent Development 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.
Celebrating 20 Years of Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Awards
From the Top and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation are both invested in identifying and empowering talented young people. Our partnership was formed in 2005 to fulfill Jack Kent Cooke’s vision of enabling promising young musicians with financial need to develop their talents. It has been one of the most impactful collaborations in From the Top’s history.
To mark the milestone of 20 years and $4.2 million in Awards, we brought back some of our illustrious alumni to the program who have gone on to major careers in music after receiving the Award as teens.
15 MILLION
Social Media Reach
12 MILLION
Broadcast Reach
1.5 MILLION
Tiny Desk Concert Views
Financials
From the Top’s revenue last year was $1,888,944. Expenses were $2,308,799. We received generous individual, foundation and government support and are very grateful.
Revenue
EXPENSES
OUR Partners
The Edward T. Cone Foundation • The Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation • Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism • Aaron Morgan, Esq. • Robert Treat Paine Association • Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation • The Sea Breeze Foundation • Senior Helpers • The Volgenau Foundation • WilmerHale
Leadership
Board of Directors
Kathleen van Bergen, Chair
John L. Pattillo, Treasurer
Gabriel Campos Zamora
Angelica Cortez
Monica Davisson
Mary Deissler
Marcia Head
Elaine LeBuhn
Soo Youn Lee
Louise Lee
Kevin Olusola
Kadar Qian
Peter Ross
Benjamin Rothschild
Elizabeth Sikorosky
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