Caroline performed on Show 361 in Brunswick, Maine on October 17, 2018.

Jiaxun “Caroline” Yao (cello), 16, lives in Flushing, New York and is a junior at Evangel Christian School in Long Island City. She is a recipient of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. She studies with Richard Aaron and Sieun Lin at the Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, where she also performs with the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony. She recently enjoyed learning and performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto in just a week’s time. Caroline was the first place winner in the New York Chamber Player Orchestra Concerto Competition, as well as first place children’s division winner of the Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition in Hong Kong. In her spare time, she loves photography and working-out.

Orli has joined From the Top as Guest Host on Show 420, Show 422,  Show 404, Show 405, Show 390, Show 389, Show 379, Show 380, and Show 361.

Concert Pianist Orli Shaham is a regular guest host on From the Top and has an impressive international reputation as one of today’s most gifted pianists. The New York Times called her a “brilliant pianist”, and she is admired worldwide for her interpretations of both standard and modern repertoire.

Orli Shaham released Volumes 1, 2 & 3 of the complete Mozart Sonatas on Canary Classics to rave reviews around the world: “overwhelmingly stunning” (Piano Dao), “altogether exceptional” (World Music Report) and “An absolute must for any of Mozart’s fans” (Midwest Record Review). Volumes 4, 5 and 6 are released in 2023. Her Mozart recording project also includes a concertos album with St. Louis Symphony, proclaimed “outstanding” by International Piano.

In addition to performing concertos and recitals around the world, she is on the piano and chamber music faculty at The Juilliard School. In 2022 Ms. Shaham served on the jury for Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the Honens International Piano Competition. She is host of Orli Shaham’s Bach Yard, a live interactive concert series and interactive video series for young children designed to develop listening skills, which she founded in 2010.

Ms. Shaham is one of From the Top’s Co-Hosts and Creatives, and has hosted episodes since 2018.

Follow Orli: Facebook @OrliShahamPiano | Twitter @orlishaham | Instagram @orlishaham