February 6, 2018

By Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

DIAMOND BAR, CA-- Diamond Bar High School percussionist Jeremy Davis is the recipient of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award.

The $10,000 scholarship recipient will perform on the NPR "From the Top" live radio broadcast on Sunday, February 11 at 2 p.m.

Five featured young musicians will perform and share their stories during the 90-minute concert recorded in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jeremy, age 17, will be performing “Land” by Takatsugu Muramatsu on the marimba.

“This experience is pretty amazing!” the talented junior shared in the school’s practice room on Tuesday.

Jeremy first began playing percussion in sixth grade at South Pointe Middle School.

“It was hard, but I stuck with it!” he said.

The teen now performs in both band and orchestra in Diamond Bar High’s award-winning program.

His favorite musical experience has been participating in Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States in 2017.

With some of the scholarship funds, Jeremy plans to purchase the huge instrument, which can cost thousands of dollars.

The marimba is too large to tote back and forth like a violin, he said.

“With percussion, we have to practice at school. Now, I can get one for home!”

The “From the Top” broadcast is a fun and easy way for families to experience classical music and get to know some inspiring people.

The special performance will also be available on a future NPR podcast. 

Jeremy, who studies percussion with Kenneth McGrath, says his proudest musical accomplishment has been being selected to appear on From the Top.

Outside of music, he enjoys playing basketball and tennis.

Shown:

Diamond Bar High percussionist Jeremy Davis will be featured on NPR’s "From the Top" on February 11.