3/1: Music and the Brain Part II
Why is music so powerful to the human experience? We’ve partnered with the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California to explore music’s connection to wellness, memory, critical thinking, and much more!
Along with performing, the six young musicians we meet today have spent a week learning from Dr. Assal Habibi and her team of neuroscientists. We have been taking part in a brain scan project that will aid in potentially life-changing treatments, and if that weren’t enough, we’ve also gathered with 100 young musicians for a youth symposium, all about music and neuroscience. It’s been an impactful collaboration, and we’ve all gained a better understanding of how music affects cognitive development and the important role it can play in the prevention and treatment of memory loss and brain disease. Join us for this fascinating episode!
3/8
Emel Cubukcu, 13, Violin, from La Jolla, California In the Style of Albeniz, Op. 52 by Rodion Shchedrin (1932-2025)
Jun Kim, 16, Clarinet, from San Diego, California Rondo, K. 373 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), arr. Nicolai Pfeffer (b. 1985)
Yoyo Wu, 16, Marimba, from San Diego, California
Excerpts from Columbian Marimba Concerto: Movement I by Sergei Golovko
Ethan Zhou, 17, Violin, from San Diego, California
Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano in D Major, Op. 94a: II. Scherzo. Presto by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Rashmi Chelliserry, 17, Flute, from San Diego, California Excerpts from Fantaisie for Flute and Piano by Georges Hüe (1858-1948)
San Diego Youth Symphony and Sinfónica Juvenil de Tijuana Ilimitados by Andrés Martín
3/15: Joy and Connection
This week we celebrate the joy of music with lively, exuberant, and sometimes fiery selections from our talented teens. We are treated to performances of Debussy, Beethoven, Strauss, and more. We talk about the importance of connecting emotionally with the repertoire. We also hear a flashback performance from a French Horn player who was featured on the show back in 2012.
Pianist Matthew Scott, 17, from Lewisville, Texas
L'isle joyeuse by Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Violinist Austin Webster-Perks, 16, New York, New York
Píseň Lásky, Song of Love, Op. 7, No. 1 by Josef Suk (1874-1935)
Guitarist Vivian Wang, 16, from Edison, New Jersey
Libra Sonatine, III. Fuoco by Roland Dyens (1955-2016)
Cellist Jin Han, 18, from Flower Mound, Texas
Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major Op. 69, I. Allegro ma non tanto by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Pianist Zack Lam, 17, from Bethesda, Maryland
Waltz No. 7 in F Minor, SO. 406 by Leo Ornstein (1893-2002)
Soprano Janaya Palmer, 18, from Baltimore, Maryland
Joy by Ricky Ian Gordon (b. 1956)
Flashback Finale
Kaitlyn J. Resler
Nocturno, Op. 7 by Franz Strauss (1822-1905)
recorded in 2012
3/22: With Guest Host Orli Shaham
Amie Shen, 17, Violin, from Englewood, New Jersey
Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring": I. Allegro by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Polina Strela, 17, Piano, from New York, New York Sonata for Piano Four-Hands in C major, K.521: I. Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Khalid Abdallah, 17, Trumpet, from Flushing, New York Someone to Watch Over Me by George Gershwin (1898-1937), arr. Joseph Turrin (b. 1947)
Alexander Zhou, 9, Piano, from New York, New York Étincelles, Op. 36 No. 6 "Sparks" by Moritz Moszkowski (1854-1925)
Yoonsa Lee, 18, Viola, from Amherst, Massachusetts
Excerpts from Sonata for Viola and Piano - I. Impetuoso by Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)
3/29: Musical Siblings
Orli Shaham guest hosts From the Top’s episode celebrating musical families. We’ll meet a bunch of siblings, including Orli’s own sons. Her brother, violinist Gil Shaham joins as co-host. This program reminds us that music doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s shaped by relationships, histories, and communities.
Cellists Ella, 14, and Mia, 21 Wimbiscus from Wilmette, Illinois
Suite for Two Cellos and Piano, III. Arioso by Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007)
Pianists Daniel, 18,and Justin, 15, Kang from Laveen, Arizona
The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a - VIII. Waltz of the Flowers by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Violinist Kai Isoke, 16, and cellist Ifetayo Ali-Landing from Chicago, Illinois
Duo for Violin and Cello, III. Serious Fun by Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)
Composer Alex, 17, and violinist Nathan, 17, Robertson
Canzonetta for Violin and Piano by Alex Robertson (b. 2007) & Dvorak Sonatina - II. Larghetto by Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
De la Motte siblings (violinist Naomi, 16, cellist Elijah, 19, and violist Pearl, 21) from New York, New York
Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44 - I. Allegro brillante by Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Gil Shaham, violin
Orli Shaham, piano
“Nigunim” (Violin Sonata No. 3), 2nd movement – Scherzo by Avner Dorman from the album Nigunim (Canary Classics - CC10) 2012
Gil and Orli commissioned this work from Avner Dorman, and premiered it at 92nd Street Y in New York City in 2011.