Regular readers, or fans of the From The Top program that highlights teen musicians of note, will recall our coverage in 2024 of young banjo player Bayla Davis, and her inclusion on the show that year. At the time, she was 15 years old, and was the first traditional music artist to be featured on From The Top, which typically focuses on classical players.
The program with Bayla ran in May of 2024, which can be viewed below, including footage of Davis playing and singing with two of her instructors, Jerry Sutton (Bryan’s dad) and Josh Goforth, and an interview with the show’s hosts about her life and music.
From The Top released an album called From The Top 25 at the beginning of January, including their favorite performances from the 2025 season, and Bayla made the cut! Alongside such impressive track listings as Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44: I. Allegro brillante and Bach: Concerto for Oboe & Violin in C Minor, BWV 1060R: III. Allegro, you see Will The Circle Be Unbroken from Davis.
From The Top 25 is available now from popular download and streaming services online.
Bayla is now a high school senior, with plans to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall as part of their American Roots Program, which allows students who play banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, fiddle, or reso-guitar to enter the school and go through its rigorous program of instruction.
Bayla and her family are thankful to the IBMA Foundation, whose J.D. Crowe Banjo Scholarship covered her first semester deposit.
Congratulations to Bayla Davis!
