KCRW’s December Volunteer of the Month

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Meet Liz Sanchez! Her friendly personality and attentiveness made her stand out during our Summer Marketing Internship. She’s a devoted volunteer in every capacity, and we can always count on Liz to get the job done. Whether it’s behind the street team table engaging with our audience, or in the studio supporting the DJs, Liz makes an impression on everyone she works with. Here is Liz in her own words:

Where did you grow up and do you have any siblings? Pets?
I grew up in Sunland, and then moved to Burbank where I still currently live. I have no siblings, but I do have 2 dogs and a cat who act human enough.

What 5 things would you wish you had if you were stranded on a deserted island?
This is a tough question to answer, but right now I think the most important things that I’d like to have are: an acoustic guitar, a pocket knife (because survival?), huge Costco-sized containers of water and trail mix, a collection of nature writings by Thoreau/Emerson/Muir, and last but not least a huge journal with a pen to document my experience and to keep myself from completely losing it.

What is your current occupation / what do you do outside of KCRW?
I’ve been working at Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena for the past couple weeks, and soon I’m starting a 6-month full-time production internship at the radio broadcast economic/business news show called Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal.

What is your fantasy occupation?
I would be Terry Gross by day and play for an all-female powerhouse indie band like Boygenuis (an actual dream team) by night.

When did you first discover KCRW?
I remember sitting in the back seat of my mom’s car driving to school early in the morning and the radio was always tuned into KCRW. I didn’t really listen to it on my own until I started driving at 16, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

How did you find your way to our station for volunteering?
I was looking for a summer internship in LA that I could do while taking college classes. I found KCRW’s volunteer program on their website, and the rest is history.

What’s your current volunteer position and how long have you been at it?
My favorite position is working with the DJs as their production assistant. No matter how many times I go into the station, I’m always stoked to be walking the same halls as many of the great musicians, artists, public figures, etc. of our time. Also, watching the DJs work their sonic magic is something else.

Favorite volunteer moment?
For me, that would probably be walking into the KCRW station for the first time because everything I’d grown up listening to became so real.

If you could get on the mic and say one sentence on the air, what would it be?
If I could say one thing on air, it would go something like: “Hey LA, this is Liz Sanchez. Thanks for tuning into KCRW, I hope what you’re listening to inspires you to share some knowledge and keep it real.”

What song(s) have you hit repeat on lately?
Oh, so many songs, and to name a few: “I’d Rather Go Blind” Etta James; “Unknown Legend” Shovels & Rope w/ Shakey Graves; “Brutalisme” Flavien Berger; “Tearing Me Up” Bob Moses; “Swing Lo Magellan” Dirty Projectors or the Unknown Mortal Orchestra cover, “Bloodless,” Andrew Bird; and “This Must Be The Place” Talking Heads.

Favorite book, movie?
Favorite book right now: “Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage,” by Haruki Murakami. Favorite movie right now: “Meru” by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi.

Favorite thing to do outside the station ?
I love jamming with my friends, rock climbing, backpacking, and reading.

What does KCRW mean to you?
KCRW is a cultural snapshot of Los Angeles. It’s aural history broadcast every day by both the people who create and curate it.

Liz, we’re so happy you’re a part of the KCRW family! We appreciate all your help and can’t wait to see the places you’ll go.