New at Neighborhoodvoices: Jamie McCullough is 17 years old and a soon-to-be freshman at West Virginia University, as well as bass player for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. He joins us in our studios to perform selections for double bass, and to discuss the importance of youth music programs, live on SLB.

New at Neighborhoodvoices: 17-year old Gordon Neidinger is a Pittsburgh-based mandolin prodigy, serving as concertmaster for the Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra, and receiving national exposure through media outlets such as NPR’s “From the Top.” Here he is joined by Paul Dvorchak on fiddle. We’re pleased to welcome them back to our studios.

New at Neighborhoodvoices: The Fairchild Challenge fosters interest in the environment by encouraging teenagers to investigate, devise imaginative and effective responses, and to take action at many levels on environmental issues through a menu of Challenges. This week we’re joined by Nick, Derek, Ryan, and Andrew, all seniors and members of the Shaler Area High School team, who, in addition to winning multiple challenges, also received first place for the entire 2011-2012 Fairchild Challenge.

New at Neighborhoodvoices: Rachel Mracna is a singer-songwriter and performer who most recently toured with the cast of Billy Elliott, performing the role of Debbie, among others. We’re pleased to welcome this young and upcoming talent, live on SLB.

New at Neighborhoodvoices: The Fairchild Challenge fosters interest in the environment by encouraging teenagers to investigate, devise imaginative and effective responses, and to take action at many levels on environmental issues through a menu of Challenges. This week we’re joined by winners Alicia Ferrilli and Chrissy Figan who successfully completed Challenge #5: Intergenerational Interviews, where students interview an elder about his or her experiences and relationship with nature, and then compare and contrast the elder’s experience with the student’s own.