All Classical Radio’s International Children’s Arts Network Turns 5

Independent radio station for children, families, and educators with growing listenership now serving 20,000

Highlights of ICAN’s birthday week include an interview with Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, hosted by All Classical’s Young Artist in Residence Elaina Stuppler

Photos and promotional audio clips are available here

PORTLAND, OR – All Classical Radio celebrates the fifth birthday of its International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN Radio) with a special week of programming that kicks off on the anniversary of its 2019 launch: Monday, April 15, 2024. Under the All Classical Radio umbrella, ICAN is a 24-hour arts and music HD radio station designed for children, families, and classrooms, and is one of the few standalone youth networks in the country, streaming worldwide 24/7 at icanradio.org.

As part of the weeklong festivities, ICAN will broadcast a conversation between legendary actress, singer, and author Julie Andrews, Andrews' daughter and author Emma Walton Hamilton, and All Classical’s Young Artist in Residence Elaina Stuppler, on the station’s flagship Audio Book Tour program. Other highlights of the week include youth host Diarra Mboup interviewing Tonia Jones, Nike’s VP/GM of Jordan Women's Streetwear, on the second season of the ICAN's original series ICAN Become, and a birthday program featuring ICAN’s young reporters from the last five years.

“All Classical Radio offers daily, barrier-free access to the arts,” says Suzanne Nance, President and CEO of All Classical Radio and the International Children’s Arts Network. “The social, emotional, and intellectual benefits of early arts education are profound. Recognizing a growing gap in childhood access to the arts, we took action five years ago to design and launch a one-of-a-kind youth-centered station to offer outstanding arts, music, literature, and educational STEAM programming for all."

Available at no cost online at icanradio.org, via All Classical's mobile app, local HD radio, and on demand, ICAN's arts-focused and culturally diverse programming complements educational curriculum in schools, libraries, and after-school programs while offering a unique audio destination for children and families at home and in community spaces. ICAN prominently features the work and voices of student reporters and contributors, ages 4-16.

“We know that the arts are an essential part of youth education and promote healthy development and growth,” says Sarah Zwinklis, ICAN’s Program Director. “ICAN provides free, age-appropriate arts and literature content that is creative, stimulating, and playful, often hosted by children. In fact, ICAN uniquely broadcasts a significant amount of content produced by youth for youth. The station is designed to cultivate imagination and curiosity, build confidence, and expand educational horizons for children,” she adds.

This July, All Classical Radio will relocate its headquarters and radio operations to the historic KOIN Tower in downtown Portland, OR. The new media arts center will also feature a creative studio exclusively dedicated to ICAN and youth-centered production. Designed to promote belonging, the new studio will feature flexible furniture and a welcoming reading nook.

Highlights of ICAN’s fifth birthday celebration, running Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19, 2024, include: 

Monday, April 15
ICAN’s Birthday Special, featuring youth hosts Elaina, Naomi, and Skye, highlights special moments from ICAN’s five years on air, including a “Where Are They Now” catch-up segment with the voices of kids who contributed to some of the station's first radio programming. Plus, the station will air some of its most popular programs from the past five years including the Metropolitan Youth Symphony’s performance of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, presented and sponsored by ICAN and featuring All Classical and ICAN radio hosts as narrators.

Tuesday, April 16
What if World host Mr. Eric invites ICAN youth host Henry C. to join him for a birthday-themed episode. What if World is a daily storytelling program in which Mr. Eric takes kids’ questions and turns them into an audio reality, like Henry's question for this special: "What if it rained Electric Guitars?"

Wednesday, April 17
The station premieres the second season of ICAN Become, a show in which youth hosts explore what they want to be when they grow up by interviewing accomplished professionals who work in their areas of interest. The kick-off episode will be ICAN Become: A Leader, with youth host Diarra Mboup interviewing Tonia Jones, Nike’s VP/GM of Jordan Women’s Streetwear.

Thursday, April 18
On Audio Book Tour, authors Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton join youth host Elaina to discuss their children's books The Enchanted Symphony and new release Waiting in the Wings.

Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19
Each day of the school week, Screenshot host Marty Coldwater invites youth guest hosts to lead a birthday extravaganza. The 15-minute show highlights the best scores and scenes from family-friendly video games, television, and movies. 

About ICAN
The International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN Radio) is a dedicated radio station for children to listen, learn, and celebrate the joy of being a child. ICAN provides access to the arts for all and nurtures a love for music and literature through educational, multicultural arts and STEAM programming. Powered by All Classical Radio, ICAN is available regionally on HD-2 radio, mobile app, smart speakers, and at icanradio.org 24/7, with select features available on demand. 

About All Classical Radio
All Classical Radio is consistently ranked in the top three classical radio stations in the USA. The network is recognized for its bold collaborations and outreach and for broadcasting 98% locally produced programming, including innovative music playlists, interviews, live broadcasts, and arts and culture specials. Home to the award-winning Recording Inclusivity Initiative and the International Children’s Arts Network, All Classical Radio is one of the first classical stations in the nation to name artists and composers in residence and to develop robust youth journalism mentorships.
 
Broadcasting from the heart of the Pacific Northwest, All Classical Radio is an independent and community-funded radio station, providing unparalleled access to classical music, outstanding performances, information about the arts, and more since 1983. Serving nearly 250,000 local households in Oregon and SW Washington, All Classical Radio reaches over a million listeners online in 100 countries around the globe. Listen at 89.9 FM in Portland or anywhere in the world at allclassical.org. 

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Contact: 
Allison Van Etten 
Vice President 
8VA Music Consultancy 
323.449.5030
allison@8vamusicconsultancy.com