From The Top: Tiny Desk Concert

Tom Huizenga | January 15, 2025
There is no greater day each year at the Tiny Desk, for this music nerd, than when we host young musicians from the organization called From the Top. Through its 25 years of radio broadcasts, digital content and fellowships, FTT is a robust platform that showcases and supports young musicians around the country. And the three teenaged artists they’ve gathered here will renew your faith in the future of music.

Thirteen-year-old Cameron Renshaw, from Byron Center, Mich., is a born entertainer. “I really pour my heart out whenever I play,” he told Ellen DeGeneres when he appeared on her program at age 9. He was so exuberant he probably could have hosted the show himself. For us he plays a tricky piece on a single string of his cello by the 19th century violin hotshot Nicolò Paganini. The calm smiles on Renshaw’s face belie the difficulty of the music as he fingers wispy harmonics and leans into serious shredding.

Violinist Laura Jin, a 12-year-old wunderkind attending the pre-college program at Juilliard, might be soft spoken, even shy, but she thrives on danger. Which is why she’s playing Wieniawski’s flamboyant Polonaise Op. 4. “I really enjoy this piece because it has many technical difficulties,” she explains before launching into a thicket of double stops, pizzicato and harmonics, offering a sterling tone and preserving the splendor and swagger of the piece.

Rhyuhn Green, a sartorially resplendent 18-year-old from Philadelphia, lives a double life as both an extraordinary pianist and a composer fielding commissions. He’ll release his debut album this month. He wrote the Impromptu “Symbiosis” at age 9 and it has evolved ever since, with its wealth of hummable tunes, romantic flourishes a la Chopin and a billowing, passionate crescendo.

In the end, our Tiny Desk crew — along with an audience of doting parents and From the Top staffers — all knew that something important and kind of miraculous had taken place. Together, we created a document for the world to witness the powerful message of great music made by the next generation of very fine musicians.

SET LIST
Nicolò Paganini: Variations on One String on a theme by Rossini (excerpt)
Henryk Wieniawski: Polonaise de Concert, Op. 4
Rhyuhn Green: Impromptu in F minor “Symbiosis”

MUSICIANS
Cameron Renshaw: cello; Eden Chen: piano (Paganini)
Laura Jin: violin; Eri Kang: piano (Wieniawski)
Rhyuhn Green: piano (Green)

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Tom Huizenga
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistants: Ashley Pointer, Elle Mannion
Photographer: Sofia Seidel
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#tinydesk #nprmusic #fromthetop

[otegadamagic]

i dont know how the producers of tiny desk do it but please dont stop doing it. wow

[fromthetop]

It was a pleasure to bring our young artists to NPR headquarters in October to record for NPR’s legendary Tiny Desk concert series. Congratulations to cellist Cameron Renshaw (age 13), violinist Laura Jin (age 12), and composer/pianist Rhyuhn Green (age 18) and their collaborative pianists alum Eden Chen and Eri Kang on their superb performances. Thank you to our friends at NPR Music!

[Zorzis]

Thank you NRP (every production member), for giving a chance to artists from all over the world, and (without an age limit) to share their musical creativity, and talent. Without your effort, who knows how many artists would have been overlooked due to the mainstream music.

[ellyswan]

Because of them, my morning started the right way

[vec]

These artists are about hope. Hope in a world that desperately needs it. Thank you for an amazing performance.

[einsam]

Superb performance by the young future generation in the classical genre. Please bring some young jazz musical prodigies next NPR.

[patriciawhytefengshui]

Thank you NPR for having Cameron, Laura & Rhyuhn to enlighten us with their gifted performances! Very Beautiful! Look forward to experiencing their gifts again🙏💗🌟

[josephsong]

Wow!! All three musicians are fantastic! They have talent like I've never seen. Bravo!

[Laura-jinviolin]

thank you for giving me this opportunity❣️such an inspiration

[Chloes_Thoughts]

All three performers were outstanding! Crazy talented and a pleasure to engage in some classical with them.

[bennytheballeroneyt]

Tiny desk concerts often bring out that nostalgic feeling to us. This one right here touched my heart & soul with their amazing instrumental playing. Loved every second of it❤❤🔥🔥

[IntelInside]

Outstanding performances! I'd love to see more classical performances like these showcasing our young performers and composers. In particular Xavier Foley would be a wonderful choice for a future booking.

[BWVandante]

Bravissimi tutti i musicisti, grazie per la vostra bellezza...

[Cristina_Roadtrips]

Love them all! 🫶🏻 Shout out to Rhyuhn Green…rockin’ the keys and the outfit.😎

[wildrosetreasuresva]

Thank you so much for shining a light on these gifted musicians! Bravo!

[jacks]

This was so refreshing to see such talent, heart and artistry this morning. Thank you!

[justinlee]

I will absolutely be buying Rhyuen Green's album. That was freakin' amazing. Tiny Desk, please bring him back after the album comes out.

[darlenemc]

Amazing talent! Thank you for sharing your music. God Bless

[Eskiemoe]

Such amazing Artists, they all did amazing

[paulwhetstone]

Wowy Zowy, that was some mighty fine fiddlin. Green’s piano composition was a breath of fresh air. Many composers are too arcane for audiences other than their moms and girlfriends. Symbiosis gives the listener a piece grounded in the 19th century while exploring some innovative twists.