From the Top

Today’s episode is dominated by instruments you’d find in a high school band room and many of our featured teen artists discovered their love for performing through school music programs. We meet a tuba player and a trombonist who followed their passion to Interlochen Arts Academy and a percussionist who is at home in front of the marimba.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Composer Jessie Montgomery joins us as we continue our celebration of Black From the Top alumni and their contributions to classical music. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Guest Host Alex Laing joins for a celebration of Black artists in classical music. We’re catching up with From the Top alumni who are making waves in the field.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A 15-year-old violinist introduces us to his charming coastal community of Damariscotta, Maine and a talented young banjo player brings us into her musical home in the foothills of Leicester, North Carolina. Co-host/violinist Tessa Lark draws on her own childhood in Kentucky as she reflects with Peter Dugan on the stories and performances of these talented young musicians from rural communities. Don’t miss the videos of each hometown visit at fromthetop.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We meet a teen violinist down by the bayou in Monroe, Louisiana, travel to the rolling farmland of Redlands, California to the home of a driven young guitarist, and hear from a young composer who enjoys the support of his community in Fargo, North Dakota. Co-host/violinist Tessa Lark speaks about her own upbringing in Eastern Kentucky as she reflects with Peter Dugan on the experiences of these talented young artists from small towns. Don’t miss the videos of each hometown visit at fromthetop.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy