WYCE is a listener supported, volunteer powered, community radio station. Our organizational mission is "Building Community through Media,” and we take that seriously.
Programmer: Nicole “LaRae”
What are your work/volunteer/hobbies?
WORK:
Venue and Booking Manager at The Pyramid Scheme 2011-present
Owner and Operator at dizzybird records 2014-present
VOLUNTEER:
WYCE programmer 2005-present
Concert Under The Stars committee member Winter 2019 season
HOBBIES:
hiking, concerts, photography, kickboxing, music discovery, crossword puzzles
How long have you been at WYCE?
Since Dec 2005
What brought you to WYCE?
When I was a child, I would record my own radio shows on cassettes, complete with my own commercials, and songs from the radio. My uncle Les, who I also bonded over music with, ALWAYS had WYCE on. He suggested I "try out" for a programming slot as did my friend Michael. I submitted an application in 2003, 2004 and finally annoyed someone enough in 2005 and was let into a training session.
In your view, how does WYCE empower the local community?
By raising voices of local musicians, non-profits and businesses! For area musicians, it can be such a confidence booster! I recall a GR artist calling in after hearing their song air for the first time. It meant so much and they continued to make music, and began performing!
What other ways do you personally serve the local community?
I think just being a part of it is serving it. If you participate by donating to a cause you care about, show up to your buds' gigs, support area businesses who care about our community -- then you are serving it!
With events like the WYCE Hopcat Blue Bridge Festival or the GRAM on the Green summer concert series, we provide a space for community members to gather and enjoy the best local musicians together. By playing an eclectic blend of local, regional, emerging, and under-represented music on-air, we educate the community and expose our listeners to sounds and voices they may have never heard otherwise.
And because we are volunteer-powered, we provide a platform to elevate the voices of local citizens and empower them to make a positive impact on the West Michigan community. Each day of our 2018 Fall Fund Drive, we will be publishing brief profiles of some of our programmers. Check out their stories and see What You Can Empower by making a contribution to WYCE!
To donate, go to www.wyce.org/support or call (616) 742-9923.
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