CPR Classical Welcomes Two New Hosts on December 1

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, November 21, 2022

CPR Classical

Colorado Public Radio (CPR) hires two new hosts for CPR Classical. Kabin Thomas joins on November 16, and Patty Painter-Wakefield will join CPR Classical on December 1. Thomas joins the company with decades of experience as a tuba player, actor and professor of classical music. Thomas was a substitute tuba player with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for 14 years.

"We're excited to welcome two new voices to our airwaves. Both Kabin and Patty are steeped in years of classical music professionally," said CPR Classical Program Director Monika Vischer. "This brings new, fresh perspectives from seasoned pros to our team and our work."

Painter-Wakefield's career in radio started at WFDD in Winston-Salem, NC while she attended Wake Forest University. After college, she worked for NPR affiliate KGOU-KROU, while earning a master's degree in music history in Norman, OK. Painter-Wakefield worked at WUNC (Chapel Hill, NC) from 1995 to 2013 as a classical music host. Since moving to Colorado in 2013, she has explored writing music, in addition to singing and playing music, and she has worked at a small church in various capacities.

"We are thrilled to bring these new voices to CPR Classical listeners. But it also means we are saying goodbye to two hosts. David Ginder and Marilyn Cooley left Colorado during the pandemic, but they have continued to provide excellent service for our audiences throughout this unprecedented time," said Senior Vice President of Content Sean Nethery. "They can't stay on remotely from out of state, because CPR hosts need to be members of the Colorado community. We are grateful for their superb hosting and for continuing through this transition."

Ginder joined CPR Classical as a host in 2017. For the last five years, they have greeted listeners with Sunrise Serenade at 6am on weekdays and the choral music program "Sing!" on Sunday mornings. Other highlights include live broadcasts from Boettcher Hall with the Colorado Symphony, audio features for CPR Classical's partnership with the Denver Art Museum for its Claude Monet exhibit, as well as the celebration of Beethoven's 250th birth anniversary in 2020, and advocating for Colorado music each day on "Colorado Spotlight." Ginder has been on the air with classical music for 48 years. Their last day on CPR Classical is Sunday, November 27.

Marilyn Cooley joined CPR Classical in 2018, primarily hosting shows on Friday and Sunday evenings. In addition to her regular hosting, she also created special features such as "December Solstice," an hour of reflective music for midwinter, and "A Life of Beethoven" to celebrate his birthday in December. Cooley also created features for the Beethoven 250 celebration. She is planning to continue with CPR Classical through the holidays.