13-Year-Old Local Cellist Featured on NPR's FROM THE TOP, Week of December 17

13-year-old New York Cellist Sebastian Stoger will appear on an upcoming episode of From the Top, the hit NPR radio program featuring America's best young classical musicians and hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O'Riley. Broadcast from Jordan Hall the show will air nationally the week of December 17, 2012, and on WQXR Saturday, December 22 at 6AM and Sunday, December 23 at 6PM. The episode was taped before a live audience at the Jordan Hall on Saturday, October 14, 2012.

13-year-old Sebastion Stoger is from New York City. He studies with Yari Bond at the Special Music School where he is also a member of the Advanced Cello Ensemble. Sebastian made his solo debut at Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts in August of 2008 premiering Steve Marzullo's "Suite for Cello and Piano" with choreography for modern jazz dancers by Chet Walker at the Jazz Happenings concert event. Sebastian also plays saxophone and piano, and enjoys tap dancing and outdoor activities. On the show Sebastian performs Pezzo Capriccioso by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, accompanies by Christopher O'Riley.

Also on the broadcast: 18-year-old singer William Su, a student at Walnut Hill Academy in Natick, Massachusetts, originally from Beijing, China, performs "Amor marinaro" by Gaetano Donizetti, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley; 9-year-old violinist Elizabeth Aoki from Cresskill, New Jersey, performs Introduction and Tarantelle, Op.43, by Pablo de Sarasate, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley; 15-year-old pianist Vanessa Meiling Haynes from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, performs the third movement from Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Opus 57, "Appasionata" by Ludwig van Beethoven; and 18-year-old recorder player Bryan Duerfeldt from Bloomington, Minnesota, performs the third movement from the Concerto in C Major, RV 443, by Antonio Vivaldi, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley.

For the past decade, From the Top has been the preeminent showcase for America's best young musicians. Through award-winning NPR and PBS programs, online media, a national tour of live events, and education programs, From the Top shares the stories and performances of pre-collegiate musicians with millions each week.

From the Top is made possible by support from US Trust and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. It is also supported through the generous contributions of individuals and institutions as well as public radio stations.

From the Top on NPR is produced in association with WGBH Radio Boston and New England Conservatory of Music, its home and education partner.

Please visit www.fromthetop.org for more information.