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Artwork for From the Top

From the Top

NPR
Classical Music
From the Top
Music Education
Beethoven
Music
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Music Therapy
Black Voices In Classical Music
Violin
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artists
Chopin
Florence Price
Earth Day
Jazz Music
Piano
Bach
Juilliard School
USC Brain and Creativity Institute
Rachmaninoff
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

From the Top showcases the music, stories, and unique insights of America's finest young classical musicians.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes54Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for From the Top

Latest Episodes

A teen violinist takes her love of film scores to new heights, a young flutist shares how he got his start watching online videos, and a passionate violist performs Brahms.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal... more

Co-hosted by violinist and disability activist Julia LaGrand and host Peter Dugan, this week’s episode spotlights the perspectives and artistry of young musicians with disabilities and is part of a broader initiative by From the Top to increase inclu... more

Co-hosted by violinist and disability activist Julia LaGrand and host Peter Dugan, this week’s episode spotlights the perspectives and artistry of young musicians with disabilities and is part of a broader initiative by From the Top to increase inclu... more

We’re back at the famous FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. A teenage violinist performs Kreisler and a young soprano who shares her journey from Gospel to classical voice. Plus, guest artist KJ Willis, a talented soul singer who is currently fe... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Alexander McDowell
19-year-old violinist from Durham, North Carolina, Oberlin Conservatory student
Oberlin Conservatory
Episode: Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part II
Zion Giles
14-year-old percussionist from Chicago, Illinois; profoundly deaf with cochlear implants
Merritt School of Music (partnered with Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources)
Episode: Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part II
Adam Mandela Walden
Cellist, composer, autistic and epileptic; Berklee student who collaborated on new work
Berklee College of Music
Episode: Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part II
Macy James
22-year-old French horn player
Independent/From the Top guest
Episode: Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part I
Kiefer Bernard
18-year-old composer from Montclair, NJ
From the Top guest
Episode: Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part I
KJ Willis
Dallas-born Memphis-based soul singer and The Voice contestant
The Voice
Episode: Talented Teen Soprano & Violinist plus Etta James Tribute at FAME Studios
Henry Joseph Hewitt
16-year-old pianist from Mobile, Alabama
From the Top
Episode: From FAME Studios: Bluegrass Banjo, Amy Beach & more
Madeleine Cagle
18-year-old French horn player from Birmingham, Alabama
From the Top
Episode: From FAME Studios: Bluegrass Banjo, Amy Beach & more
Alex Davis
13-year-old banjo player from Manchester, Tennessee
From the Top
Episode: From FAME Studios: Bluegrass Banjo, Amy Beach & more

Hosts

Peter Dugan
Host of From the Top with a focus on interviews and performances by young musicians.
Orli Shaham
Pianist and host, occasionally co-host and guide interviews and performances.
Joshua Knox
Head drum major of a Grammy-winning marching band; contributes community and performance insights.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 244 ratings
  • Magnificent

    The music is incredible. The interview with the musicians reveal the heart and intellect behind that music. Impressive for sure.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DC Wash
    United States4 years ago
  • The host!

    The new host Peter Dugan makes this show even better! So happy he’s at the helm leading the new generation with an open heart and keen ear.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JuilliardVoice
    United States4 years ago
  • I wish I could here the episodes of From the Top with Christopher O’Riley

    I would like to hear the older episodes of From the Top. I like the new ones but the old ones would hear me good to hear to from the past I wish I would put the rest of the seasons on there I wish Y’all would put the older episodes own here the new ones are great wish I could here the older eppsodes episodes

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    canie bug
    United States4 years ago
  • An institution

    Great show, esp the Christopher O’Reilly episodes before 2018

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pete Trg
    United States5 years ago
  • Where is the rest of the episodes of from the top

    I wish Y’all would put the older episodes own here the new ones are great wish I could here the older eppsodes episodes

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    canie bug
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for broader access to full episodes and improved audio balance in certain listening environments.
Many emphasize the show's uplifting focus on young musicians and mentorship, with remarks about the positive impact on aspiring artists.
A few comparisons to earlier iterations suggest appreciation for evolving hosting and guest diversity, while longing for more archival content.
Listeners praise the inspiring performances and heart of the interviews, noting high-quality guest talent and engaging host energy.
Overall sentiment is that the host and format cultivate a welcoming, community-centered vibe with standout performances.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#130
Indonesia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Indonesia/Music
Apple Podcasts
#115
Russia/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part I
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to other musicians living with epilepsy, what would that be?
Don't be nervous, and don't let yourself stop from expressing your full self, because music brings that for you; stay confident and let your artistry guide you.
Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part I
Q: Can you take us in to From Light to Dark in the Valley? What is it about?
The piece explores the motif of moving from darkness to light, using epilepsy-related imagery of light moments and dark moments, and it reflects an emotional journey that concludes back in light.
Playing with Emotion
Q: What's been your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
Ella cites reed making and tuning as challenges, overcoming them through practice, advice from her teacher, and support from orchestra members during performances.
Playing with Emotion
Q: What got you started with your instrument?
Ella started after hearing the Marcello concerto on the radio and asking her parents for lessons, which sparked her musical journey.
Brilliant 9-Year-Old Pianist & More with Orli Shaham
Q: What drew you to improvisation at such a young age?
Alexander explains he improvises as a natural way of making music, often recording ideas and letting momentum guide his playing rather than sticking to a fixed plan.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About From the Top

What is From the Top about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program features conversations with exceptionally talented young classical musicians and their collaborators, highlighting their personal journeys, practice routines, and the emotional journeys behind high-level performances. Episodes frequently explore themes like collaboration across instruments, overcoming challenges, mentorship, and the role of music education and community in developing young artists. The show often blends intimate interviews with live performances or demonstrations, revealing how these youths balance rigorous training with creative exploration, identity, and social engagement. A few episodes emphasize diversity in classical music, cross-genre exploration, and the broader impact of music education on communities. ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for From the Top?

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How many listeners does From the Top get?

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What are the audience demographics for From the Top?

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How many subscribers and views does From the Top have?

To see how many followers or subscribers From the Top has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to From the Top?

These podcasts share a similar audience with From the Top:

1. Science Friday
2. Fresh Air
3. Classical Breakdown
4. Short Wave
5. Planet Money

How many episodes of From the Top are there?

From the Top launched 20 years ago and published 54 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact From the Top?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for From the Top?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for From the Top from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on From the Top?

Recent guests on From the Top include:

1. Alexander McDowell
2. Zion Giles
3. Adam Mandela Walden
4. Macy James
5. Kiefer Bernard
6. KJ Willis
7. Henry Joseph Hewitt
8. Madeleine Cagle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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