Miami Music Project students to perform on From the Top

Presented by Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Campus of the College of the Florida Keys in Key West

 Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM

 TICKETS AND INFORMATION HERE

(Key West, FL, January 6, 2020) – From the Top, the nationally-distributed NPR program and podcast that celebrates the voices and talents of America’s brightest young classical musicians, will bring its next live recording event to the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the campus of The College of the Florida Keys on Sun., Jan. 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM, featuring two remarkable musicians and guest hosts: violinistElena Uriosteand pianistPeter Dugan. Both Elena and Peter, who are From the Top alumni, will interview and perform with each of the exceptional young artists, ages 12 – 18, showcasing not just their inspiring talent, but also giving insight into the lives of these young, aspirational artists. Tickets are available online at www.keystix.comor by calling 305-295-7676.

Featured performers include:

• The Miami Music Project Clarinet Quartet, featuring clarinetists Marcos Alvarez (17), recipient of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, Matthew Vallejo (14), Santiago Alvarez (16), and Roy Rosales (18), performing Piazzolla’s Libertango (arr. for clarinet ensemble and piano accompaniment). The quartet is coached by Andrés Candemil.
• 17-year-old violinist Aram Kim from Latham, New York, recipient of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, performing Saint-Saens Havanaise, Op. 83.
• 17-year-old pianist Jasper Heymann from New York, New York, performing Liszt’s Transcendental Étude in F minor, “Appassionata” S. 139 No. 10
• 17-year-old cellist Claire Druffner from Dallas, Texas, performing Dvořák’s Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, B. 166, “Dumky” VI. Lento maestoso – Vivace
• 12-year-old violinist Corina Deng from Cleveland, Ohio, performing Ravel’s Tzigane.

Since 2005, From the Top and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation have awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to exceptional young musicians with financial need. In addition to providing these young artists with an opportunity to perform on From the Top’s national broadcasts, recipients are awarded up to $10,000 to help offset the often prohibitively expensive costs of studying classical music at a high level. From the Top is proud to feature two Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award recipients on this show: Miami Music Project student, Marcos Alvarez and Aram Kim.

In addition to the live recording event, an essential part of the From the Top experience for each of the young musicians is the opportunity to engage with the greater community. On January 18, the From the Top musicians will visit and give an interactive performance at the MARC House, (Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens) a non-profit agency that serves adult clients with developmental disabilities. Additionally, From the Top staff will lead an Arts Leadership session designed to explore how young musicians can utilize their artistry beyond traditional performance settings; gain a broader perspective on classical music and its larger artistic and societal context; develop a greater understanding of possible career choices; and become introduced to a range of ways to be involved in their communities.

Alongside playing violin, Elena’s greatest passion is yoga, and she is the founder of Intermission, a ground-breaking program that encourages a union of body, mind, spirit, and music-making through yoga and meditation. Elena will lead a 30-minute yoga Intermission Session with the From the Top musicians as well.

The From the Top broadcast of this live event will air on participating stations and by podcast during the week of February 17, 2020. From the Top, distributed by NPR, is the most popular weekly one-hour music program on public radio.

Young performers share their passion for classical music through performance and conversation, giving insight into their unique worlds, from musical pursuits to day-in-the-life musings.

About Miami Music Project

Miami Music Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses music as an instrument for social transformation, empowering children to acquire values and achieve their full potential, positively affecting their society through the study and performance of music. Miami Music Project’s vision is to create opportunity and access through music for those most in need, improve the quality of life for children today and ultimately transform their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities. Emerging as a model for music education programs nationally, Miami Music Project offers free of charge, after-school programming to all students with no barriers to entry, regardless of race or economic status. As of today, Miami Music Project has reached over 30,000 of children and youth across Miami-Dade County, becoming one of the largest socially transformative music initiatives in the US. Miami Music Project’s programming is inspired by the El Sistema phenomenon – a new model for social change and a visionary global movement that transforms the lives of children through music.

About From the Top

From the Top is an independent non-profit organization that supports, develops, and shares the artistic voices and stories of young classically-trained musicians. Through its primary platform, a weekly one-hour NPR radio broadcast, and nationally-recognized arts leadership programs, From the Top amplifies the hope, passion, and discipline of today’s extraordinary young musicians.

From the Top provides young musicians with live performance opportunities in premier concert venues across the country, national exposure to nearly half a million listeners on its weekly NPR show, leadership and community engagement preparation, and more than $3 million in scholarships since 2005.

From the Top’s programs are made possible in part by an award from the National Endowment of the Arts, a grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, generous contributions from individuals and institutions, and partnerships with radio stations nationwide.

Learn more at www.fromthetop.org.