From The Top And Carnegie Hall Big Break Contest Finalists 11/29

From the Top and Carnegie Hall today announced that 15 finalists have been selected in the Big Break, a new online contest that offers young musicians the chance to compete for a spot on a special episode of NPR's From the Top national radio broadcast, hosted by Christopher O'Riley, as well as an opportunity to grace the stage at Carnegie Hall, performing in a Carnegie Hall Family Concert in Zankel Hall in spring 2011.

Finalists were drawn from a pool of hundreds of video submissions uploaded between October 18 and November 18 at YouTube.com/BigBreak. All classical musicians, the contestants ranged in age from 8-18 and participated on a variety of solo instruments including piano, bassoon, harp, voice, violin, cello, bass, marimba, and recorder. They hailed from all over the country.

Public voting on the top 15 finalists begins today at YouTube.com/BigBreak and ends on December 14. The Big Break's grand-prize winner, selected by the public, will appear on an upcoming national radio broadcast of From the Top on NPR with host Christopher O'Riley. The grand-prize winner plus several runners-up will also perform at a Carnegie Hall Family Concert on April 9 in Zankel Hall, produced in partnership with From the Top and hosted by Mr. O'Riley. Big Break winners will be announced on or after December 15.

The Big Break finalists are:

Gideon Broshy (piano), age 16, New York, NY
Emily Brown (double bass), age 16, Myersville, MD
Samuel Casseday (double bass), age 17, Jacksonville, FL
Jennifer Cha (violin), age 14, Naperville, IL
Brannon Cho (cello), age 15, Short Hills, NJ
Michael Davidman (piano), age 13, New York, NY
Peter Eom (cello), age 15, Gilbert, AZ
Helen Gerhold (harp), age 14, Lansdale, PA
Nikita Haduong (violin), age 15, Henderson, NV
Jiyeon Kim (guitar), age 17, Cleveland, OH
Kate Liu (piano), age 16, Winnetka, IL
Ryan Norville (flute), age 17, Fort Myers, FL
AriAnna Smith (viola), age 17, St. Charles, IL
Marcelina Suchocka (marimba), age 17, Chicago, IL
Kevin Sun (piano), age 17, Carmichael, CA

Each year, From the Top receives about a thousand of applications from young classical musicians across the country wishing to appear on its radio and television broadcasts. This contest marks the first time that From the Top has opened that audition process to the public, inviting them to help identify their favorite performers. Carnegie Hall, with its deep commitment to programs that nurture young talent and encourage musicians to aspire to excellence, is happy to continue its partnership with From the Top, offering Big Break musicians the opportunity to perform on its popular Family Concert series.

About From the Top
For the past decade, From the Top hosted by Christopher O'Riley has been the preeminent showcase for America's best young classical musicians. Through award-winning NPR and PBS programs, online media, a national tour of live events, community and leadership programs for young musicians, From the Top shares the stories and performances of pre-collegiate musicians with millions each week. Each program provides a compelling and entertaining window into the world of a diverse group of young people who pursue life with passion, determination, and joy. For more information, please visit: fromthetop.org.

About Carnegie Hall
Founded in 1891, Carnegie Hall presents performances by the world's finest artists on its three great stages-the renownEd Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, the intimate Weill RecitAl Hall, and the innovative Zankel Hall-ranging from orchestral concerts, chamber music, and solo recitals to jazz, world, and popular music. Extensive music education and community programs developed by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute serve people in New York City, across the US, and around the globe, playing a central role in Carnegie Hall's commitment to making great music accessible to as many people as possible. For more information about Carnegie Hall, please visit carnegiehall.org.