KU News Release

KPR’s broadcast of ‘From the Top’ to feature program taped at Lied Center

LAWRENCE — The National Public Radio program “From the Top” will broadcast from the University of Kansas’ Lied Center on Nov. 9.

Piano prodigies will be featured when Kansas Public Radio broadcasts “From the Top,” the hit radio showcase for America’s best young classical musicians hosted by acclaimed concert pianist Christopher O’Riley. The live show, recorded at the Lied Center on July 15, will air from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9.

This special concert will feature inspiring performances by O’Riley and young pianists who have studied at KU’s International Institute for Young Musicians. The three-week intensive program attracts talented piano and string students from around the globe to work with some of the most accomplished music educators in the country, including several of KU’s faculty members.

This special all-piano showcase also will highlight these musicians’ lives as regular teens through interviews and sketches. The program will feature Alan Shi, 14, from Lawrence; Sean Yeh, 16, Libertyville, Ill., Dominic Cheli, 15, St. Charles, Mo.; and Anna Han, 12, Chandler, Ariz.

Shi studies piano at the Park University Youth Music Conservatory in Parkville, Mo., with Marina Sultanova. He has competed in the Music Teachers National Association’s Baldwin Junior Piano Competition, earning second place for the state of Missouri and attended the International Institute for Young Musicians in 2006. A student at Southwest Junior High School in Lawrence, Shi has recently begun playing alto saxophone in his school’s band. In addition to music, Shi loves soccer and chess and competed in the 2005 Kansas State Chess Championship.

The young musician is the son of KU faculty members Jack Shi, associate professor of physics and astronomy, and Judy Wu, a University Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy.

KPR, licensed to KU, broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City and K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison. KPR can be heard on the Internet at kpr.ku.edu. KPR also operates KPR-2, a news-talk channel on HD Radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on a high-definition receiver or on KPR’s Web site.

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