YourClassical
Impact Report—June 2024
View Past Impact Reports
YourClassical Shines the Spotlight on Young Artists
Donor support powers Minnesota Public Radio’s (MPR) and American Public Media’s (APM) public service mission and diverse musical programming, making programs like YourClassical possible. YourClassical, from American Public Media, is a collection of curated streams, unique programs and relevant features to connect classical listeners with the music they love. YourClassical provides classical music for all of life’s moments and all ages of audiences.
APM’s Performance Today® (PT) is America’s most-listened-to classical music radio program. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country and features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases and in-studio performances and interviews. Since 2000, Fred Child has been the host of Performance Today. The Performance Today Young Artist in Residence program shines the spotlight on young soloists from American conservatories. Each year, Performance Today works with the nation’s top music programs to identify talented young artists who have demonstrated strong potential for careers in music and represent a variety of music schools and music genres.
Generous donors inspire and enable innovative programming that supports this next generation of artists and highlights their work for all of our listeners.
Highlights
Each year, Performance Today staff invite the top music schools from across the country to submit the names of their best students, artists they believe could and will make a career with their music. The Performance Today team then selects a roster of artists from those recommendations, creating a well-balanced group of musicians representing a variety of instruments/vocal styles. The 4–6 artists who are selected for the annual residency spend four days in Saint Paul, immersing themselves in this special program. Each artist’s residency includes:
- A recorded performance and interview with Fred Child that is edited into a feature piece and is eventually aired on Performance Today
- A visit to a local school to meet with students
- A music video
- And an event with donors who support the residency program (either in a private home or at Minnesota Public Radio’s studio)
Recent artists selected for the PT Young Artists program include:
Najee Greenlee, a clarinetist from Flint, Michigan, is currently finishing his second year at Rice University. Greenlee was a student at Interlochen Arts Academy, where he was selected for From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. In 2023, he was a student at the Aspen Music Festival and performed with the Conducting Academy orchestra as a recipient of a fellowship. Najee also was a winner of the Shepherd School of Music’s concerto competition and performed with the school’s orchestra in April 2024.
Avery Gagliano, a pianist originally from Washington D.C., studies at the Curtis Institute. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of 20. Gagliano came to international acclaim as the First Prize and Best Concerto Prize winner of the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition, and as the only American semifinalist at the 18th International Chopin Competition in 2021. In addition to her successes at the two most highly regarded Chopin competitions, Gagliano was the winner of the Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition, MostArts Festival Piano Competition and 2019 National YoungArts Competition.
Sarah Ma, an Asian American violinist from Queens, New York, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. They are currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music where they study alongside their Poeisis Quartet members. As a soloist, Ma has performed with such orchestras as the Dallas Chamber Symphony, the New York Chamber Players Orchestra and Manhattan School of Music’s Symphony Orchestra. Ma was the youngest competitor and second prize winner at the 2023 Dallas International Violin Competition. In addition to performance, Ma is passionate about integrating the arts in community work and advocacy, particularly to center non-traditional genres and underrepresented works.
Reach:
53
young artists completed residencies with Performance Today
Performance Today young
artists visited
48 schools
4,500
students experienced a school visit by a young artist
100%
of the young artists are still making music
8
of the young artists are full-time orchestral musicians including the Concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Principal Clarinet of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and a member of the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”
19
of the young artists are teachers
50
of the young artists have solo careers
*Reach data collected between 2012–2023
COMMUNITY RESPONSE:
The Performance Today Residency has been a highly significant and memorable experience in my musical journey. It provided a unique opportunity for my music to reach a much wider audience than I had ever imagined before. I remain extremely grateful to Performance Today for this incredible experience, which has motivated me to work harder and more efficiently than ever before.”
– Anais Feller, Violin, Colburn School of Music, 2021–2022
Performance Today was one of my first experiences putting myself out there as a solo performer outside of the context of school, and that was really important in my development as an artist and defining my own musical voice! It was a fantastic opportunity to share in some music making with my colleague Heejung Ju, who collaborated with me on piano, and to put my playing out there for a real audience. Getting to chat with Fred Child was a pleasure too, as well as bringing our program to a local elementary school (I fondly remember the kids putting me on the spot asking me to play everything from Star Wars to Super Mario Brothers). It was definitely an impactful experience!”
– Max Opferkuch, Clarinet, University of Southern California, 2019–2020
Performance Today really inspired me to continue to dream. I was able to continue to build confidence in myself and the career choices I made because of the time I spent with APM, MPR and PT during my residency. During the time I spent with the middle school/elementary students during my residency, I realized my love for education outreach and I’ve continued a working relationship with MPR’s Class Notes. I am so grateful for the time I spent with PT and the opportunity to share my voice and my love for music.”
– Mallory McHenry, Harp, Butler School of Music UT Austin, 2018–2019
Over nearly three decades, Performance Today has a remarkable track record highlighting future stars of classical music. Our Young Artist Residencies are an extraordinary opportunity for these performers to jump-start their careers, and for music lovers to meet the talents and tastemakers of the next generation. I’m happy and honored to introduce these young players to music lovers across the country and around the world.”
– Fred Child, host of Performance Today
My wife Vicki and I have always enjoyed helping young performing artists develop their skills — artists such as the MN Opera resident singers and the PT Young Artists instrumentalists who come from the conservatories. Giving them a chance to be heard on the radio, of playing in someone’s home or feeling the emotional charge from playing for young students is a wonderful way to bring them both satisfaction and growth. Besides, we get to meet and listen to the best and the brightest of them!”
– Chip Emery