African-American composer William Grant Still was known as the “Dean of Afro-American Composers,” and was the first American composer to have their music played by the NYC Opera.
For today’s Daily Joy, 14-year-old Rebecca Beato is playing his lovely work, “Summerland.”
Queens, New York Rebecca appeared on Show 382, recording at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston on February 6, 2020.
Rebecca Beato (violin), 13, from Queens, New York, is in eighth grade at the Special Music School at the Kaufman Center. She studies violin with Viktor Basis at the Kaufman Center. She has also attended the Sphinx Performance Academy. One of her most memorable musical moments was winning the grand prize in a competition in Cremona, Italy, and being invited to return to Italy to perform with the orchestra the following year. This year, she had the privilege of sharing the stage with Joshua Bell to perform Concerto in D minor for two violins at a benefit for the Kaufman Special Music School. Rebecca also loves drawing, painting, and animation.
Music has the unique ability to bring joy to our lives – especially in the hands of young people. Daily Joy is a reminder of music’s power to uplift, inspire, and unite.
Daily Joy is a project of From the Top. It began in the very early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues today to offer a much-needed respite from the anxiety and worry that we encounter in the world.
From the Top is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the stories and artistry of young musicians through media and leadership programs. Learn more.
From the Top is grateful to the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation for their generous support of Daily Joy.
Have questions? Email us at info@fromthetop.org.
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We started Daily Joy as a reminder that music has the power to lift our spirits and make us smile.
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Daily Joy is a program of From the Top, an independent non-profit organization that relies on support from individuals. Your support will help ensure From the Top's work of celebrating the joy, talents, and stories of extraordinary young musicians.