Fred Child Named CEO of All Classical Radio

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 10:32am CT

Fred Child

All Classical Radio in Portland, OR has named broadcaster and arts advocate Fred Child as its next President and CEO, effective January 2. Child will relocate from New York City to take the role, succeeding Suzanne Nance, who stepped down earlier this year after a decade leading the organization. Since July, Greg Arntson has served as Interim CEO.

Child is best known for his 25-year tenure as host of the syndicated classical music program "Performance Today," heard on hundreds of public radio stations across the country. He has also served as the Emmy-winning announcer for PBS's Live From Lincoln Center and hosted NPR's Creators @ Carnegie. Earlier in his career, he was Music Director and Director of Cultural Programming at WNYC New York and spent a decade on air at Oregon Public Broadcasting.

"Fred has been a leader in connecting music-makers with music-lovers, and advancing access to the arts with a passion and approach that is absolutely infectious," said All Classical Radio Board Chair Elaine Durst, noting his experience and vision for public media and arts programming.

Child, who grew up in Portland and studied classical piano and jazz, called the move a homecoming and praised the station's role as a free cultural resource. "It is a joy to return to my hometown of Portland and an honor to join this beloved institution," he said, adding that he looks forward to building on All Classical's work in "great music, outstanding performances, and engaging storytelling."

Child's appointment comes during a period of change for the organization. Last December, All Classical Radio opened its new headquarters, which includes five production studios, the Irving Levin Performance Hall, and the James DePreist Recording Studio. In July, a federal budget rescission eliminated $500,000 in previously approved annual support for the station, prompting a push from community donors to help close the funding gap as the network reassesses its long-term financial strategy.