Association of Music Personnel in Public Radio 
Spring 1999 

Chris Kohtz, Music Director at Cincinnati’s classical public radio station, 90.9 WGUC , was elected to the AMPPR Board of Directors at MPC 37 in San Antonio. 

     Chris grew up in Nebraska and began pursuing a classical music career in junior high school. He received his degree in music performance from the University of Nebraska and played tuba professionally with the Plymouth Brass, Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, and the Lincoln and Omaha Symphony orchestras. He began his career in radio with KUCV-FM in Lincoln in 1987. That station eventually became the statewide Nebraska Public Radio Network (NPRN). While there he hosted several shifts and programs including the state’s first statewide radio arts and concert magazine, “Soundstage,” and the popular new release program “ Wet Paint .” He became NPRN’s Music Director in 1995. 

     Chris joined the staff of WGUC as Music Director in November, 1998. He has been attending AMPPR conferences since the Atlanta conference in 1997. 
 

Deanne Poulos was elected to the AMPPR Board of Directors at MPC 37. She has been named Treasurer and vice president for publicity. 

Deanne is a native of Phoenix, where she danced with Arizona Ballet Theatre, a professional ballet company. After completing her degree in English from Occidental College in Los Angeles, she returned to her home town as resident choreographer and dancer for Actors Lab Arizona, a professional theatre company.  In addition, she appeared regularly as a soloist with the Laura Moya Spanish Dance Company. 

     Deanne was National Classical Radio Promoter for BMG Classics, and host/producer of the only radio show in Los Angeles featuring musical theatre. 

     When she returned to Phoenix, Deanne served as Executive Director of Arizona Center for the Book and resumed dancing with the Laura Moya Spanish Dance Company. She began her association with KBAQ in 1996 as a part-time announcer and was appointed to the full-time staff as announcer and PSA Director in 1998. 
 

Cheryl Dring, Classical Music   Manager at WWNO in New   Orleans, has accepted an ex-officio position on the AMPPR Board to help plan and produce MPC 38. 

     Before moving to New Orleans, Cheryl worked as an announcer at WRKF in Baton Rouge and at KDAQ in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

     Although she has been in public radio for 12 years, Cheryl’s background in music is as a performer. She received her Master’s Degree in vocal performance from Louisiana State University, where she studied with Martina Arroyo. She currently performs as a soloist in the New Orleans area, with a special interest in early music, and she also serves as assistant director of Vox Feminae, the women’s ensemble of the New Orleans Musica da Camera. 

     Cheryl says, “I don’t think anyone who knew me growing up is surprised that I wound up in radio, and they’re just glad I found a job where talking is a useful skill!” 

     Elaine Kennedy, who has served as Secretary for AMPPR for the past two years, was re-elected to the AMPPR Board of Directors at MPC 37. 

     Elaine’s most unusual job was that of a singing waitress. After surviving three college summers of countless performances, tired feet, and her share of waitressing mishaps, Elaine earned a B.A. in music from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and decided to pursue a career in radio after a month-long college internship with Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul. She then held full-time announcing positions at WKYU in Bowling Green, Kentucky, WBJC in Baltimore, and WGUC in Cincinnati. Currently she is heard middays on Houston’s KUHF. 

     Outgoing AMPPR Board members include Janice Furtner, who served for five years and has been our Treasurer for the past three years, and Ted Weiner, who thinks he’s no longer a Board member but is still called upon to help with his expertise in many areas. Both Janice and Ted have contributed a great deal to the organization, and we are very grateful to them for their active participation. 

     By the time the San Antonio conference was concluded, over 200 people had attended! We had participation from 37 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and The Netherlands.