WQXR Names Lukas Krohn-Grimberghe Director of Music Products, Announces Key Staff Promotions

WQXR Names Lukas Krohn-Grimberghe Director of Music Products, Announces Key Staff Promotions

New Roles and Promotions to Accelerate WQXR’s Expansion Plans

(New York, NY – July 12, 2018) – WQXR – New York’s only all classical music station – today announced that Lukas Krohn-Grimberghe will join its digital team as Director of Music Products.  In this newly-created role, Krohn-Grimberghe, will bring his considerable digital music and technological expertise to the design, development, and distribution of WQXR’s digital products. Krohn-Grimberghe, the founder of the classical music streaming service Grammofy, will continue to serve as its CEO. He will begin at WQXR on August 13.

WQXR also announced several key staff promotions to support WQXR’s digital, audience, and programming goals.

Matt Abramovitz has been appointed to Vice President, overseeing the radio, live broadcasts, digital and social media teams. He will partner with Clemency Burton-Hill, who was recently announced as Creative Director, Arts & Music, to define the station’s editorial strategy, original content development, live events, and strategic partnerships. Michael Shobe has been promoted to Program Director, and will be responsible for the on-air sound and performance of the station. Mike leads WQXR’s team of musicologists, programmers, producers, and hosts that millions of New Yorkers depend on daily.

Christine Herskovits has been named Senior Project Manager in Audience Development and Operations, focusing on expanding WQXR’s relationships with the classical music community, including New York City performing arts venues, recording labels, and music publishers. Krystal Hawes joins the team as Project Coordinator of Community Engagement and Special Projects. Hawes will build upon her work with the WQXR Instrument Drive, which sourced, repaired, and facilitated donations of more than 6,000 instruments to 171 public schools across New York City.

“Lukas’ rare combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, entrepreneurial grit, and passion for classical music makes him the ideal person to lead our new product, design, and engineering team,” said Shannon Connolly, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Music at New York Public Radio. “I’m also thrilled to announce promotions for several long-tenured WQXR staff.  They each have been instrumental in our double-digit digital growth, consistent #1 national ranking among classical radio stations, and the ongoing reinvention of our live events and partnerships.  Their commitment to making WQXR the most-listened to classical station and a cultural treasure for all New Yorkers is essential as we grow our team and audience nationally and globally.” 

ABOUT WQXR

WQXR 105.9 FM, which streams live at www.wqxr.org, is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. WQXR presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, among other venues. WQXR also broadcasts essential destination programs including New York Philharmonic This Week and Young Artists Showcase. For listeners in search of the new, WQXR operates New Sounds, a hand-crafted, genre-free home for the musically curious, with a 24/7 radio station, a slate of podcasts, and live video sessions with  dynamic and emerging artists, all available at newsounds.org. Operavore is WQXR’s opera site featuring news, interviews, and commentaries from the world of opera, as well as a 24/7 all-opera stream. WQXR.org provides essential playlist information and online listening, as well as original content, host blogs, NYC cultural news, and videos.  The station’s free mobile app allows listeners to take WQXR with them wherever they go. As a public radio station, WQXR is supported by the generosity of its members and sponsors, making classical music relevant, accessible and inspiring for listeners in New York City and around the globe