Derek Wang '16 Appears on NPR's "From the Top"

Derek Wang ’16 shared his considerable talent on the piano with a national audience on Sunday, June 8, when he made an appearance on NPR’s From the Top. The show is the preeminent showcase for America’s best young classical musicians and is hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley.

 

Derek travelled to Tacoma, Washington back on April 24 to tape his performance of Prokofiev Toccata in D minor, Op. 11, but found that he would be doing much more than simply playing the piano in a studio.

 

“The other performers and I visited three schools – an elementary school, middle school, and high school – in the Tacoma area to share our lives and music with the kids,” Derek said. “Those school trips made for some of the most amazing experiences: jamming with the kids to Prokofiev, hearing each of their personal and fresh reactions, and opening up worlds for all of us through the power of classical music. There is nothing like seeing the eyes of a third grader light up at that moment when the music means everything to him.”

 

Through the trips and the time spent in Tacoma with the other young musicians, Derek’s relationship with his fellow musicians blossomed. By the end of the trip, he said he felt as though he had known these other young men and women for years after sharing  such a powerful experience.

 

In the interview following his performance, Derek spoke eloquently about his love of music and different experiences that have deepened that love and pushed him to the level he has reached. O’Riley said that he had never heard someone “relish and enjoy performing” Prokofiev’s piece as much as Derek had.

 

To listen to the entire broadcast of Sunday’s program, click here. Derek is the first to perform.

 

From the Top is broadcast on over 200 radio stations throughout the country, reaching over 200,000 loyal listeners. For more information about From the Top, visit them on the web at fromthetop.org.