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

Michelle performed on Show 389 from Merkin Hall on September 25, 2020.

Michelle Stern (violin) 16, is from Douglason, New York, and is a senior at Townsend Harris High School. She studies violin with Ann Setzer at the Pre-College Division of The Juilliard School. In addition to being concertmistress of the Juilliard Pre-college Orchestra and winning numerous competitions, the musical moments she holds the most dear have occurred when performing for children, patients, or the elderly, and experiencing their inspiration and joy. Outside of music, Michelle is the editor of her school’s literary magazine and is interested in all sorts of creative writing, including playwriting, prose, and poetry.

Sean performed on Show 389 from Merkin Hall on September 25, 2020. Sean also performed on Show 328 in Boston, MA, on October 16, 2016.

Show 389 Bio:

Sean Yu, 16, cello, is from Rye, New York , and is a junior at Rye High School. He studies with Minhye Clara Kim at Juilliard Pre-College Program. Sean won fourth prize at the 10^th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Astana, Kazakhstan and performed as a soloist with the Eurasian Symphony Orchestra of KazNUA at the Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall at the age of 12. Sean was a Semi-Finalist at the 2020 Stulberg International String Competition. He was also a winner of the 2019 National YoungArts Competition and at the 2020 Music Teacher National Association National Strings Competition. Sean has been featured as soloist with the New York International Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, the Sinfonietta Nova Orchestra, the New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Camerata Orchestra, and St. Thomas Orchestra as result of winning numerous competitions. He is also scheduled to perform with the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra and the American Chamber Orchestra this spring. At the age of 12, Sean was accepted into the Perlman Music Program, where he has since been spending seven weeks every summer intensively studying chamber music, solo performance, and orchestral music under the tutelage of  Itzhak Perlman, Merry Peckham, Areta Zhulla, Astrid Schween, and Zvi Plesser.

Show 328 Bio:

Sean Yu, 12, cello, is from Rye, New York, and is a sixth grader at Rye Middle School. He studies with Minhye Clara Kim at the Juilliard Pre-College Program. A top-prize winner at the Camerata Artists International Competition, Manhattan International Music Competition and the 17^th New York Music Competition, Sean has performed in venues such as Merkin Hall and Weill Recital Hall. During the summer, Sean has attended the Meadowmount School of Music and Great Mountain Music Festival. During his free time, Sean loves to draw and spend time outdoors.