NPR's FROM THE TOP To Record Live Program Featuring LA Children's Chorus And More At The Wallis

From the Top, the nationally-distributed NPR program heard throughout the Los Angeles region on KUSC (FM 91.5), brings its next live recording event to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 7:30 PM, featuring newly announced host Peter Dugan and co-host Vijay Gupta. Dugan and Gupta will interview and perform with each of the exceptional young artists, ages 10 - 18, showcasing not just their inspiring talent, but also giving insight into the lives of these young, aspirational artists. The event, presented in conjunction with GRoW @ The Wallis, the umbrella for a robust mix of education and outreach programs at The Wallis, is open to the public and tickets are now available.

From the Top's live recording events are one part of a larger residency, which includes leadership training, community engagement, and career development programs designed to explore how each of the young participating musicians can utilize their artistry beyond traditional performance settings.

The young artists will also perform in a non-broadcast concert at The Wallis for some 500-area school children ages 8 to 18 in grades 3 through 12 from 7 local schools on Thursday, March 5, 10:30 am, as part of GRoW @ The Wallis. The participating schools include Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 8 (Los Angeles 90003), Alliance Neuwirth Leadership Academy (Los Angeles 90037), Carlos Santana Art Academy (North Hills), Good Shepherd Catholic School (Beverly Hills), Horace Mann Elementary (Beverly Hills), Inspire Charter School (Los Angeles 90025) and Stevenson College and Career Preparatory (Los Angeles 90023).

The From the Top broadcast of this live event will air on participating stations and by podcast during the week of June 1, 2020.

Featured musicians include:

10-year-old pianist Olivia Larco from Pasadena, California performing Chopin's Etude Op.25 no.11, "Winter Wind"

The Los Angeles Children's Chorus (Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Artistic Director), with conductor Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, performing "Pueri Herbraeorum" by Randall Thompson and "Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen, arranged by Mark Hayes

17-year-old cellist Mei Hotta from Torrance, California performing Piano Trio, III. Capricious by Reena Esmail with Peter Dugan, piano and Vijay Gupta, violin

14-year-old violinist Bianca Ciubancan from Chicago, Illinois performing Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 7 in F Major, from 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1 with host Peter Dugan

The Quantum Saxophone Quartet from Dallas, Texas performing Marcelo Zarvos' "Memory" from Nepomuk's Dances. The quartet features: GianCarlo Lay, 16, from Carrollton, Texas, recipient of From the Top's Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award; Ekdev Rajkitkul, 17, from Frisco, Texas, recipient of From the Top's Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award; Austin Dreyer, 18, from Carrollton, Texas and Peyton Joffre, 18, from Carrollton, Texas. The Quantum Quartet's appearance is sponsored by ACMP.

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.

From the Top's live appearance and recording at The Wallis is made possible with generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and GRoW @ Annenberg, and Phyllis and Angelo Mozilo.

Tickets, $35 to $59, are on sale now. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 310-746-4000 or visit TheWallis.org/FTT.