Athens, Ga. – An upcoming episode of NPR’s “From the Top” taped at the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center in March will air nationally the week of April 29. “From the Top” will air locally on WUGA 91.7/97.9 FM April 30 at 8 p.m.
“From the Top” showcases America’s talented young musicians and continues to top the charts as the most popular weekly classical music program on public radio. The program is hosted by award-winning pianist Christopher O’Riley and was taped before a live audience on March 3 in the UGA Performing Arts Center’s Hodgson Concert Hall.
The broadcast features 19-year-old cellist Wickliffe Simmons from Atlanta. A senior at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, Simmons is a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has participated in the Heifetz International Music Institute and the Bowdoin International Music Festival.
Also featured on the broadcast are 17-year-old pianist Ariela Bohrod from Madison, Wis.; 17-year-old violinist Maria Ioudenitch from Overland Park, Kan.; the Hartman-Warren-Doyle Trio from Minneapolis, Minn.; and 18-year-old guitarist Bokyung Byun who is originally from South Korea but now resides in New York City.
Over the past 13 years, “From the Top” has recorded more than 280 radio broadcasts across the country and around the world, featuring more than 2,500 young artists, ages eight to 18. “From the Top” is distributed by National Public Radio to nearly 250 stations coast-to-coast.