By Jeff Koterba
KVNO Turns 53!
August 25th, 2025
On August 27th, 1972, KVNO went on the air as “Fine Arts Radio in Omaha.” Now, 53 years later, we’re still bringing the Omaha metro—and beyond—classical music 24-7.
It’s our mission to elevate your life, and we’re grateful for your support. We truly believe that it takes all of us—those at the station, and certainly you, our listeners—to work in concert together as a community.
To help celebrate our 53rd birthday, we thought you might enjoy a little insight into how many of us at KVNO feel about bringing you great music and arts each and every day!
Sherry Kennedy Brownrigg, General Manager and host of Midday Classics:
“There’s so much to love about KVNO, but what fills me with the most joy is seeing people’s faces light up when they talk about listening. It’s never just a casual, “Yeah, I listen.” Almost every time, it’s an enthusiastic, heartfelt, “Oh, I LOVE KVNO!”
That kind of response tells me we’re doing something right. We work hard to bring beauty and joy to our listeners—through stunning classical music and warm, local voices on the air. And when people respond with that kind of love, it reminds me exactly why we do what we do.”
Gabriel Escalera, Director of the Arts Desk:
“KVNO has become so much more than just a job for me, it’s woven into who I am and how my family lives each day. I’ve always loved music and understood its importance, but being part of KVNO has helped me feel that on a deeper level, it’s brought that love home in ways I never imagined. Now, when I hear my daughters playing piano and violin in the living room, I feel a quiet peace like the music I’ve dedicated my life to is blooming right in front of me.”
Ben Rasmussen, Director of Development, Host of the Midday Mixtape:
“KVNO’s music expresses some of our deepest, most complicated thoughts and feelings that are often impossible to put into words. Expressing those through the music and sharing them with our community gives me hope.”
Emily McIvor, Music Director and host of Friday Favorites:
“As the one who gets to work directly with the Classical Kids, and with listener requests, I’m constantly surprised—in the best way—by our listeners. Their musical tastes, their enthusiasm, their love for music, their dedication to it—we get to be at the center of such an intriguing group of people who all share a love of classical music.”
Allyson Jay, Host of Afternoon Classics and Modern Classics:
“I love the variety of classical music that we play on KVNO and my favorite thing is to help listeners connect to new music—helping them understand and maybe even love something they haven’t heard before.”
Coleen Cook, Host of The Classical Commute:
“Someone once said that if you have a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life! That’s true for me! I love the music and I love how passionate our listeners are about the music. And I appreciate KVNO’s efforts to share classical music with people of all ages!”
Katrina Naraine, host of Nocturnes:
“KVNO has always been my #1 spot on the radio. Over the years, it has become so much more than a radio station: A place where the arts are shared and celebrated on and off the air, a place to go when you need inspiration or to relax, and a place to call home any time of the day!”
Becky Lowe, Development Associate:
“I’ve been listening to KVNO for two decades now. When my oldest son, Hugh, was a toddler, we would twirl around the kitchen together every time we heard a Viennese Waltz on KVNO. He’s heading off to college now, planning to continue singing in choir. I like to think my kids’ musical inclinations are partly due to all the beautiful, meaningful, enlightening music they heard on my favorite radio station. Always a fan, I am thrilled to be a part of the team now and look forward to work every single day.”
Andy Schilling, Fill-in Host:
“As a loyal listener of KVNO for more than 30 years, it’s an honor to fill in as a host during the Classical Commute. Classical music has been my passion since my college radio days at WSND-FM at Notre Dame. It’s wonderful to be announcing classical favorites again, sharing my love with KVNO’s loyal listeners!”
Michael Moriarity, Host of Starlight Classics:
“It has been a joy to me to be able to help bring classical music to our listeners for over 20 years now!”
Jeff Koterba, Host of Morning Classics and Jeff Around Town:
“I fell in love with KVNO when I was a student at UNO. And over the years, KVNO has felt like a friend in part because of the morning hosts—from Frank Bramhall to Dale Munson to Otis Twelve. And now, to be on this side of the microphone? It’s truly an honor to present incredible and uplifting music to our listeners. Not a morning goes by when I don’t think of how grateful I am that we’re all in this together, those of us at the station and those listening at home, in their car, or on a morning walk.”
