Award-winning public radio host and producer Colleen Wheelahan is seeking a new challenge.
She is best known for her creativity and enthusiasm. Audiences relate to her warm voice and her approachable breakdown of complex topics.
Skills
Audio Production
Colleen crafts audio-rich stories for podcast, broadcast, and digital consumption. From script to booking, she produces the whole package from start to finish.
Audience Engagement
Colleen has produced multiple sold-out live events in Nashville. Her MusiCircus at OZ Arts in 2018 featured 225 performers in seamless, overlapping performances. She is comfortable in front of crowds, and has been invited to act as a public speaking coach for the Nashville Arts and Business Council.
Writing
Colleen can illuminate complex topics and relate them to any reader. Her coverage has reached through eight centuries of historic topics, from medieval monasteries to the latest in AI.
Creativity
Colleen is a self-starter who brings an infectious enthusiasm to her mission of the moment. At two stations her programming contributions correlated to a more than doubling of the audience market share.
Accolades
"Her Music/Her Story"
Gracie Award - Alliance for Women in Media
"Three Castles and the Music City"
Regional Murrow Award - Radio Television Digital News Association
Best of Nashville - Nashville Scene
"Bespoke Music Making with Jennifer Higdon"
Public Radio Programming Directors Association Award - Runner Up
"Animal Ambassador Album"
Audience Choice - Nashville Arts and Business Council Periscope Pitch
Media Experience
2021-2024
Louisville Public Media
Music Director, 90.5 WUOL Classical Louisville
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Programming the day’s music and curating the digital library database
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Hosting daily music broadcast
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Interview Series: Behind the Playlist
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Copy Writing: station website, social media, newsletter, promotional materials
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Participating in community events
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Guest reporting on arts and culture - LPM News
2020-2022
Nashville Public Radio
Freelance Producer, Host, Writer
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Classically Speaking Podcast
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Special Presentation: "Three Castles and the Music City" (nationally syndicated)
2018-2020
Nashville Public Radio
Host and Producer
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Hosted weekly live performance broadcast
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Created, produced, hosted podcast
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Guest Reported on arts and culture - WPLN News
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Created Special Programming Series on and off-air
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Developed Student Composer Fellowship
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Created Clara200 Festival
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Produced “Listen With Me” animated series
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Wrote and edited essays on 91Classical.org
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Curated on air Nashville Spotlight Series
Further Professional Experience
Teaching:
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Faculty, Nashville State Community College - 2014-present
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Faculty, Lipscomb University - 2016-2018
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Music Teacher - Reformed Church Nursery School - 2008-2011
Freelance Audio:
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Journalism - The World, Here & Now, NPR Newscast, Marketplace
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Podcast Editing - Choir Confidential
Freelance Arts:
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Director, MusiCircus - OZ Arts Nashville, 2018
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Artistic Director, Sound Riot Chamber Music - 2015-2018
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Soloist, Cincinnati Soundbox Concerto Project - 2015
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Co-Founder, Wood/Silk Project - 2014
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Performer, Sound in the Art Tour - 2014-2016
Education
The qualities of a classically trained musician are assets to the corporate world. Conductors are skilled organizational leaders. Music educators are committed to working as a team and bringing a large group of people to a greater goal. And instrumentalists enjoy being highly detail-oriented. We don't rest until we are meeting our own exacting standards. When the time comes, we will always perform.
Univeristy of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music
Master of Music
Choral Conducting - 2014
Bachelor of Music
Music Education - 2008
Bachelor of Music
Music Performance, Percussion - 2006