From the Top, the national music organization and producer of the most popular classical weekly radio show on NPR, partners with the MusicReach program at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center to convene five area schools in “Sounds and Stories,” a unique musical event aimed at celebrating the arts in Miami’s schools.
Using the power of music to showcase the assets of a diverse and vibrant community, this inspiring free performance will present 200 of Miami’s talented elementary through high school students at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC), 10950 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay, on Thursday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m., in a rich tapestry of performances and stories.
Four alumni of From the Top’s radio and education programs will lead a unique residency with the participating schools during the week of the performance.
Leading the workshops will be violinist Karen Cueva and cellist Patrick McGuire, both previous performers on From the Top’s NPR show and current members in Harvard University’s Arts in Education Cohort, joined by previous radio show performer and current From the Top staff member, clarinetist Matt Dykeman. Radio show alum and From the Top education program manager, cellist Michael Dahlberg, will perform the role of host and emcee at the performance.
“Partnering with the Music Reach program has allowed us to build on the amazing school-based work that the Frost School teaching assistants have been doing throughout the year,” explained Linda Gerstle, director of Education & Community Partnerships for From the Top. “The addition of the From the Top alumni as inspiring role models and mentors represents the kinds of collaborative partnerships that From the Top most values.
“We can’t wait to welcome an audience to the free performance featuring diverse works for orchestra, chorus, and band, at South Miami-Dade Cultural Art Center, an inspiring facility that is a valuable resource for the surrounding neighborhoods,” she added.
“Sounds and Stories” will feature students from the Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts, Pine Villa Elementary School, Arvida Middle School, Southwood Middle School Center for the Arts, and Coral Reef High School.
To reserve free tickets and for more information about the May 12 performance, visit www.smdcac.org or call 786-573-5300. Learn more at www.fromthetop.org.
