Local 10-Year-Old Pianist to Appear on "From the Top"

Avery Gagliano, a 10-year-old pianist from Washington, D.C., 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 Potsdam, New York, the show airs Sunday, June 3 at 6:00 p.m. on Classical WETA 90.9 FM. The episode was taped before a live audience at the Crane School of Music’s Hosmer Concert Hall on April 21.

Avery attends John Eaton Elementary School in Washington, D.C. She studies with Marina Alekseyeva at the Levine School of Music and occasionally plays with the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra. In 2011, Avery performed at Carnegie Hall in the “Passion of Music” concert presented by the American Association for the Development of the Gifted and Talented. Avery is kept busy with ballet, swimming, Chinese studies, and schoolwork, but also enjoys performing, acting, dancing, and watching comedies or adventure movies.

On the show Avery performs “The Cat and the Mouse” by Aaron Copland. Also on the broadcast: 16-year-old cellist John Lee from Basking Ridge, New Jersey performing “Dance of the Green Devil” by Gaspar Cassadó, accompanied by host Christopher O’Riley on the piano; 18-year-old flutist Margaux Filet from Davis, California performing “Cantabile” by George Enescu, accompanied by Christopher O’Riley; 14-year-old violinist Jieming Tang from Cleveland, Ohio performing Melodie, Op.42, No.3 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, accompanied by Christopher O’Riley; and the Illinois-based Quartet Al Dente performing I. Allegro Rustico from String Quartet No.2, Op.26 by Alberto Ginastera. The quartet is comprised of 16-year-old violist Caitlin Adamson from Evanston, 17-year-old violinist Claire Bourg from Aurora, 16-year-old cellist Tara Safavi from Naperville, and 14-year-old violinist Adé Williams from Chicago.

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.

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