From the Top

The story of American music | Ava Pakiam | From the Top

From the Top Fellow Ava Pakiam (15, violin) chats with Host Peter Dugan following their performance together of West Side Story Suite for Violin and Piano: "I Feel Pretty" and "America" by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), arr. Raimundo Penaforte (b. 1961) on From the Top!

Great things require GREAT people. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Executive Director Guiseppe Basili was a crucial partner in From the Top’s 20+ year relationship with the Foundation. Thank you, Seppy for your vision and determination that has contributed to 4,000+ students accessing excellent education in music and beyond. We’ll be sending you music every day to accompany your well-deserved retirement!

Thank you to Here and Now for highlighting From the Top in today’s broadcast! Be sure to listen to the full story to hear thoughtful perspectives on classical music from Fellows Wilson Liu and Emel Cubukcu and Alum/Board Member Kadar Qian.

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2026/05/28/young-classical-musicians Here & Now

Excerpt of Italian Concerto in F major | Wilson Liu | Daily Joy

From the Top Fellow Wilson Liu (11, piano) performs BWV 971: I. Allegro by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) on From the Top!