From the Top

New England Conservatory is a cauldron of new ideas, some so big that they become organizations in their own right. We proudly showcase these partners.

From the Top returns to its home at NEC's Jordan Hall to tape its NPR radio program, a national radio show founded at NEC.

Hosted by pianist Christopher O'Riley '81 A.D., this taping occurs before a live audience with a healthy representation of NEC Preparatory students among the participants.

The broadcast taping features:

The Back Bay Trio, a piano trio formed at New England Conservatory Preparatory School
Coached by Trio Cleonice, the trio’s members include: 15-year-old violinist Kate Arndt from Littleton, a student of Yuri Mazurkevich; 13-year-old cellist Zlatomir Fung from Westborough, a student of Emmanuel Feldman; and 15-year-old pianist Daniel Kim from Lexington, a student of Jonathan Bass. Kate and Daniel are both participants in CDAL Boston, From the Top’s year-long intensive arts leadership program; Kate is helping to lead an after-school music program at Chittick Elementary School in Mattapan and Daniel is learning about the benefits of music therapy at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Fourteen-year-old pianist/composer Tengku Ahmad Irfan from Malaysia
Tengku is a student in the Juilliard pre-college division where he studies piano, composition, and conducting. He has played around the world, including with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, and with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. Outside of his musical pursuits, Tengku enjoys playing iPhone games and hanging out with his younger sisters.

Seventeen-year-old violinist Chelsea Kim from Wellesley, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. She attends Phillips Exeter Academy and studies at New England Conservatory with Donald Weilerstein. She has also participated in programs at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and the Kinhaven Music School. She has played in her school’s symphony and chamber orchestras and in the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Chelsea also plays the piano and clarinet, and likes to swim and play soccer.

Seventeen-year-old cellist Ju Hyun Lee from Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Ju Hyun attends the Boston University Academy. A participant in CDAL Boston, From the Top’s year-long intensive arts leadership program, she is part of a team that is coaching students in chamber music at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Brighton. She studies at New England Conservatory Prep with Paul Katz and Allison Eldredge. Ju Hyun has played in NEC's Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and has taken masterclasses with Janos Starker. Aside from music, Ju Hyun has a passion for story writing.

Seventeen-year-old soprano Tatum Robertson from New Orleans, Louisiana
Tatum is a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Currently, she attends the Walnut Hill School in Natick, Mass., where she studies with Angela Gooch. Tatum has performed with the NEC Youth Chorale and has also performed in the Walnut Hill Summer Opera. Tatum also enjoys singing R&B and gospel. Aside from her musical pursuits, Tatum enjoys spending time with her family and babysitting young children.