Teenage Violinist from Reston, VA to Appear on “From The Top”

Jehshua Karunakaran, a 17-year-old violinist from Reston, Virginia 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 Washington, D.C., the show will air nationally the week of December 12 and on Classical WETA 90.9 FM Sunday, December 18 at 6 p.m. The episode was taped before a live audience at the National Gallery of Art on October 16.

Jehshua studies violin with Lewis Kaplan at the Juilliard Pre-College Division in New York City. He’s a member of the Juilliard Pre-College chamber ensemble, orchestra, and high school chorus. Jehshua is a past winner of the Washington Performing Arts Society Feder String Competition. When he’s not playing music, he loves to read, write poetry, and spend time in nature.

On the show Jehshua performs Danse Espagnole from “La Vide Breve” by Manuel de Falla, accompanied by host Christopher O’Riley on the piano. Also on the broadcast: 11-year-old cellist Noah Lee from Oakland, New Jersey performing Hungarian Rhapsody by David Popper, accompanied by Christopher O’Riley; 17-year-old pianist Dong Won Lee from Redmond, Washington performing Prelude No. 8, "Un reflet dans le vent" by Olivier Messiaen; 18-year-old saxophonist Steven Banks from Clemmons, North Carolina performing the second and fifth movements from Tableaux de Provence by Paule Maurice, accompanied by Christopher O’Riley; and the Ohio-based Cleveland Institute of Music Piano Trio performing Primavera Porteña from “The 4 Seasons of Buenos Aires” by Astor Piazzolla. The trio is comprised of 16-year-old violinist Haruno Sato from Shaker Heights, 16-year-old cellist Hannah Moses from Stow, and 17-year-old pianist Arianna Körting from Gates Mills.

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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